Gold is more than just a pretty face.
People don’t just love gold because it sparkles; for centuries, it’s been cherished for being strong. Gold is also malleable enough to suit endless designs, so it’s an excellent foundation for all types of jewelry. And because it’s resistant to corrosion, tarnish and rust, your gold jewelry will look new for a long time. If you’re choosing a gift to cement a long friendship or symbolize a lasting love affair, gold is a natural, enduring choice.
While the rich color of pure gold is beautiful, it is too soft to have the strength and durability needed for jewelry. To give it the strength needed, it must be alloyed with other metals such as copper, silver, zinc or nickel. The percentage of pure gold to alloys is expressed in karatage. Karats are broken up into 24ths, and the percentage of gold to alloy is expressed with a number followed by a k. 24k represents pure gold. 14k means 14 parts gold and 10 parts alloy. In the United States, fine jewelry is generally created using 18k, 14k or 10k gold.
18kt gold is a beautiful choice for engagement and wedding jewelry, thanks to its lustrous color and durable nature. Our Helzberg Signature Collection®, made exclusively from 18kt gold, is a great example of the enduring appeal of 18kt gold. Inspired by the glamour of old Hollywood, the rings in this collection are named after legends of the silver screen. Shop our Signature Collection® to see these dazzling, 18kt gold rings.
Gold isn't always gold-colored. The shade of yellow gold can vary based on the alloy. As the amount of gold increases, so does the brightness of the yellow color. When yellow gold is mixed with nickel and zinc, it becomes white gold, which looks similar to platinum. White gold is often finished by plating it with rhodium, which will give it an even whiter, more brilliant appearance. Mixing more copper into the gold creates rose gold, which has a soft blush hue. | |
