THE BEAUTY OF GOLD
Gold has been valued across generations for its beauty, rarity and enduring character. More than an adornment, it is a precious metal recognised around the world for its distinctive appearance and lasting significance.
At FRANCOFGLAM® GOLD, we believe understanding gold is an important part of choosing it.
Understanding Gold
Pure gold is naturally soft and highly malleable. For jewellery, gold is commonly combined with other metals to create an alloy, giving the finished piece greater strength and durability while preserving the beauty and character of gold.
The proportion of pure gold within an alloy is expressed in karats (K). The higher the karat, the greater the proportion of pure gold.
Understanding Gold Purity
18K Gold
18K gold contains 75% pure gold, with the remaining 25% consisting of other metals within the alloy. It offers a balance between high gold content and durability, making it widely used for fine jewellery.
21K Gold
21K gold contains 87.5% pure gold. Its higher gold content gives it a rich appearance while retaining the additional strength provided by its alloy composition.
22K Gold
22K gold contains approximately 91.6% pure gold. With its high gold content, it is recognised for its rich, distinctive gold appearance.
24K Gold
24K represents gold at the highest commonly recognised level of purity. Because very high-purity gold is naturally soft, its characteristics differ from the gold alloys commonly used for jewellery. FRANCOFGLAM® GOLD offers 24K gold within our gold bar collection.
Gold Purity Marks
Gold jewellery may carry markings indicating its stated purity. These may appear as a karat designation, such as 18K, 21K or 22K, or as a numerical fineness mark.
Fineness expresses the proportion of gold in parts per thousand. For example:
750 represents 75% gold and corresponds to 18K gold.
875 represents 87.5% gold and corresponds to 21K gold.
916 represents approximately 91.6% gold and corresponds to 22K gold.
Purity markings and formal hallmarking requirements can differ between countries and markets. A purity mark should therefore not automatically be interpreted as a complete official hallmark.
The Colour of Gold
The appearance of gold can vary depending on its purity and the metals used within its alloy.
Yellow gold retains the traditional warm appearance most closely associated with gold. White and rose tones can be created through different alloy compositions.
Colour alone does not determine gold purity. Two pieces may share the same karat while having different tones depending on their alloy composition.
Understanding Gold Weight
Gold jewellery and gold bars are commonly weighed in grams.
Weight is an important characteristic of a gold product. Two pieces that appear similar in size or design may have different weights depending on their dimensions, construction and composition.
For this reason, both purity and weight are important when understanding a gold piece.
Gold Jewellery & Gold Bars
Gold jewellery combines precious metal with craftsmanship and design. Depending on the karat, gold may be alloyed with other metals to provide characteristics suited to jewellery.
Gold bars serve a different purpose. They are generally valued primarily according to their gold content, purity and weight rather than jewellery design or wearability.
FRANCOFGLAM® GOLD offers 18K, 21K and 22K gold jewellery alongside 24K gold bars.
Caring for Your Gold
Fine gold jewellery deserves considered care to preserve its beauty and finish.
Store each piece separately in a soft jewellery pouch or lined jewellery box to help minimise scratching. Avoid direct exposure to harsh chemicals, chlorine, perfumes and cosmetics.
For routine care, gently polish your gold jewellery with a soft jewellery polishing cloth suitable for gold to help maintain its lustre.
When deeper cleaning is required, plain gold jewellery may be gently cleaned using lukewarm water and a small amount of mild soap. Rinse thoroughly and dry carefully with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Jewellery containing gemstones, pearls or delicate finishes may require specialist care and should not automatically be cleaned using the same method.
For intricate or particularly valuable pieces, professional jewellery cleaning is recommended.
With considered care, the beauty and finish of your gold can be preserved for generations.
An Enduring Precious Metal
Every karat has its own characteristics. Differences in purity, alloy composition, weight, colour and craftsmanship all contribute to the individual character of a gold piece.
Understanding these qualities allows gold to be appreciated not simply for how it looks, but for the precious metal it is.
FRANCOFGLAM® GOLD
Crafted for the Bold & the Elegant.