Karat Gold Explained

Karat Gold Information

Karat is a measure of fineness- 24 karat is fine gold. One karat equals 1/24 (.0417). Thus, 14 karat gold is 14/24^th fine gold and 10/24^th alloy. The alloy metals are silver, copper and zinc. Nickel is used in white gold.

Colors of Gold:

Yellow, green, red and white gold – are produced by variations in the alloy. Silver and zinc tend to give a green color, copper gives a red color and nickel gives a white color.

Gold Filled:
Gold filled is made from joining or bonding a top layer of gold alloy to a base metal alloy and then rolling it or drawing it to the thickness required. Resembles an “Oreo” cookie, thin layer of gold (usually 12kt or 14kt gold) to a thick layer of brass and then bonding another layer of gold to the bottom. The gold content is usually less than 5%. When you see something labeled: 1/20^th 12kt G.F. This means that 1/20^th of the item (5%) is only 12kt gold. We cannot take it apart to use or melt. Scrap value is in the range of $3.00 per pound!

Rolled Gold Plate:
Same as gold Filled, just a lower Karat quality.

Gold Electroplate:
Gold electroplate is usually made by electrically depositing fine gold on a base metal like brass.

Gold Solders:
Gold solders are usually 2 to 4 Karats less than gold on which it is being used, unless the solder is said to be “plumb”.

Sterling Silver:
Sterling silver 925/1000 (92 ½ %) fine silver and 75/1000 (7 ½ %) copper.

Vermeil:
Vermeil is Sterling silver which has gold over the surface. The gold can be electroplated or mechanically bonded as long as the gold is 150 micro inches thick.

Coin Silver:
Coin silver is 900/1000 (90%) fine silver and 100/1000 (10%) copper. The same alloy is used for American silver Coins.

Commercial silver:
Commercial silver is 999 fine or higher. As close to absolute silver as can be.

Sheffield Plate:
Sheffield Plate was originally bonding sheet silver to copper rolling and manufacturing into hollowware. Imitations are made by silver plating copper.

Nickel Silver:
Nickel silver actually contains NO silver at all. It contains nickel, copper and zinc.

German Silver:
A misleading name, it’s the same as NICKEL SILVER.

Pewter:
Pewter originally was a lead alloy. It is now made in tin, copper and antimony.

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