Gold jewellery: A brief history
The higher the carat, the more pure gold is in a piece. Pure gold, also known as 24k, is soft and easy to scratch. Blended metals may cause the colour of gold to change, but it will be more durable. The gold carat ranges from 8k up to 24k. However, most pieces are likely in the 10-14k weight range. This is a good balance of colour and strength that's easy to care for. You'll find that the minimum amount of gold required to make an item is different in each country. The minimum amount of gold in an item varies by country. In the US it is 10k, while in Greece it is only 8k. Copper, silver and other base materials are what allow for variations in colour and weight. Buttery yellow can be as pure as 22k. Copper is added to the gold to enhance its colour. Many attribute the popularity and high demand for rose gold jewelry to antique Russian jewellery, which contains 25% copper. Some white gold jewelry is sold as but this is often not true. The same carat weight will give you the same...