crafting gold jewelry

Crafting Gold JewelryCrafting Gold Jewelry

An explanation of karats and An explanation of karats and alloysalloys

Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454

Gold JewelryGold Jewelry

• As jewelers who work with gold will tell you, this precious metal can be used in almost any type of jewelry.– Rings– Necklaces– Bracelets– Earrings– Pendants– Etc.

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The Malleable MetalThe Malleable Metal

• Gold is a great metal for jewelry making because it is a very malleable metal.

• Malleable metals are easily hammered and struck into new shapes. – The opposite of this would be a ductile metal,

which can easily be pulled or stretched into new shapes.

• e.g. platinum is ductile and can be pulled into thin wires.

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Gold AlloysGold Alloys

• In jewelry making, gold's malleability is a double-edged sword.

• While pure gold can be easily shaped into jewelry designs, it can also be easily dented and scratched.

• To make gold jewelry suitable for everyday wear, it must be alloyed with stronger metals.

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Gold Purity and the Karat Gold Purity and the Karat SystemSystem

• Alloying gold with another metal reduces the purity of the gold. Gold purity is measured in karats from 10-24 as follows:

– 24 Karat: 99.9% pure gold– 22 Karat: 91.7% pure gold– 18 Karat: 75% pure gold– 14 Karat: 58.3% pure gold– 12 Karat: 50% pure gold– 10 Karat: 41.7% pure gold– <10 Karat: In the U.S., any jewelry less than

10 karats cannot legally be called “gold.”

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WhatWhat’’s the Difference s the Difference Between Karat Levels?Between Karat Levels?

• A higher karat level makes the piece of jewelry softer, but it also gives it more of gold’s yellow color and brilliant luster.– Because it contains more gold, a higher karat

commands a higher price.

• Lower karat levels may be sturdier, but the luster and color can be noticeably different. – Gold jewelry with a low karat level may also

tarnish, depending on what other metals are in the alloy.

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Popular Gold Alloys in Popular Gold Alloys in JewelryJewelry

• Copper + Gold = Rose Gold– The brassy hue of rose gold nicely compliments

a range of skin tones.

• Silver + Gold = Green Gold– Silver and gold are commonly found mixed

together in nature. It’s also known as electrum.

• Nickel + Gold = White Gold– White gold is very popular in the jewelry world. I

t’s plated with rhodium to resist scratching and enhance the color.

About MGSAbout MGS

Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454

• Manhattan Gold & Silver (MGS) is a precious metals refiner that has been based in Manhattan’s historic Diamond District since 1985. We are a B2B company that buys and recycles precious metal scraps that accumulate in other businesses.

• We serve: – Jewelers– Pawnbrokers– Dentists– The industrial sector– Antique dealers– Machinists – And more!

• MGS also creates charts, calculators, and other online tools for our customers to use.

– Try our Precious Metals Prices app, which lets you monitor the real-time precious metals market situation from anywhere, right from your iPhone, iPad or Android device.

Recycle your Precious Recycle your Precious Metals for ProfitMetals for Profit

• MGS accepts gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

• Payouts are based on the London Fixing.

• Up to 99% payout (among the highest in the US)– Up to 98.5% for gold brought in for hand

testing.

• Not in NYC? Ship us your precious metals using our Ship & Sell service which offers:– Same day wired payment (once lot is received)– Discounted, insured shipping– Payout calculator

Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454

Connect with MGSConnect with MGS• For amazing facts, history and news, read our

gold and precious metals blog.

• Join the conversation about precious metals on the MGS page on Facebook.

• Follow gold, silver, and other precious metal trends at the MGS Twitter account.

• Circle MGS on Google+ to hear our latest updates.

• If you do business with us, connect with us on the MGS LinkedIn page.

• To see precious metal melting and refinement in action, visit the MGS YouTube channel.

Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454