Buying Gold Jewelry

Since prehistoric times, gold has been valued as the most precious metal on Earth. Gold was first described by Egyptian hieroglyphs dating back to 2600 B.C. In this time period, it was used primarily for rituals, ornamentation, and currency. Gold was one of the three gifts of the Magi and is mentioned frequently in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Gold was also an important part of pre-Columbian societies such as the Aztecs in Mexico and the Incas in Peru. In recent culture, the most famous discovery of gold often relates to the California Gold Rush in the 1800s. The discovery of gold lured prospectors from all over America to the West Coast to find their fortunes in gold.

Gold jewelry has always been desired for its beauty, luster, and color. More importantly, gold does not oxidize, tarnish, or otherwise change chemically when exposed to the elements making it even more precious. Gold headpieces, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other body ornaments have been found by archaeologists all over the world. Gold is the softest and most malleable of all the common metals. Ancient people of wealth and power often bought gold pieces to prove that they didn’t need to labor or work and could thereby adorn themselves in the delicate metal.

As time went on, metallurgists discovered that other harder metals and elements could be added to gold to improve their durability and structure. Commonly added metals include copper, silver, zinc, nickel, and most recently, palladium. These compounds are called alloys. The amount of pure gold in an alloy is measured in karats. A karat weighs approximately one gram. In the U.S., these numbers are determined by the parts per 24 of pure gold and the other metal. For example, 18 karat gold is 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts alloy (75%); 14 karat gold is 14 parts pure gold and 10 parts alloy (58.33%), and 10 karat gold is 10 parts pure gold and 14 parts alloy (41.6%).

In addition to gold jewelry, gold bars, coins, most pieces containing gold are an excellent investment because the value of gold has endured over the course of centuries. Gold jewelry is often the most precious of heirlooms because with proper care and polishing, old gold is indistinguishable from new.

Gold Buyer Tips

Gold buyers should think about what they desire in color and value, and also how the piece will be used. The higher the karat weight, the more the piece of gold jewelry is worth. However, the more the piece is worth, the softer it will be. The amount of the other metal in the alloy also determines color and durability. Yellow gold is usually 24 (pure) or 22 karat. Gold bars and coins are often pure gold because the gold buyer usually stores them for safe keeping instead of using them for trade. White gold, in any karat weight, has a higher concentration of silver, nickel, or palladium. A gold buyer that desires a piece with a pinkish or red hue should choose gold mixed with copper. This gold alloy is often used to make gold necklaces and gold bracelets because of the attractiveness of the color. Any karat weight can be used to make items such as earrings, chains, and pendants, but many people find that 18k or 14k gold is ideal for beauty and wearability. Gold rings, especially men’s rings, are often 10 karat gold because of frequent wearing.

The value of gold pieces is strictly monitored by the U.S. by The Gold and Silver Marketing Act, a law passed to ensure that jewelers were adhering to uniform weights and measures. The karat weight should be stamped somewhere on the piece. Jewelry buyers shopping at a reputable retailer can assume that the gold is genuine and that the karat weight is accurate. When buying jewelry second hand, it’s best to go with a company that can verify their appraisers’ credentials and back up the value of the pieces they’re selling by either the karat stamp or documentation, if the piece is very old or worn. Second hand jewelry stores and pawn shops can be a valuable resource, but the buyer should beware and ask to see the karat stamp on the piece before purchasing. Online companies such as Estatebuyers.com purchase gold jewelry from estates and individuals through the mail and resell those pieces for a reasonable price.

When a gold piece becomes unwanted by its owner, it can be sold in a number of ways. Today, online gold jewelry buyers, such as Cash4Gold.com, offer a simple, easy way to turn broken or unwanted gold into money. Cash4Gold.com is primarily a gold scrap buyer. We send an envelope to each person who requests one online. Gold jewelry that’s damaged, without gemstone embellishment, or a valuable or beautiful design, can be mailed in for an appraisal. The gold is melted down and then the karat value is determined. The individual is then paid for the gold.

If the piece is vintage, beautiful, or has value based on stones or design, then Estatebuyers.com is the better bet for the gold jewelry buyer. Here, the individual gets a fair price based on the piece’s appraisal and the jewelry goes to a good home. Gold jewelry buyers, especially gold ring buyers, can find a variety of excellent pieces online.

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