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Ever
wondered what the difference was between gold plating and
gold filling? Or how about 23 karats of gold and 10 karats?
Read on.
- Gold
is a yello
 w,
noble metal.
- Its
chemical symbol is Au, from Aurora or dawn.
- The
weight of gold or gold articles is usually expressed in
troy ounces. (1 troy ounce = 1.097 ordinary
ounces)
-
The purity of gold articles is generally described in
three ways: percent (parts of gold per 100), fineness
(parts of gold per 1000) and karats (parts of gold
per 24).
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The
weight of gold or gold articles is usually expressed in
troy ounces. the table below provides a convenient way to
translate between troy ounces and other units of weight.
| 1
troy ounce |
= |
20
pennyweight
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| 1
troy ounce |
= |
1.097
ordinary ounces
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| 1
troy ounce |
= |
480
grains
|
| 1
troy ounce |
= |
31.1
grams
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| 1000
troy ounces |
= |
31.1
kilograms
|
| 1
gram |
= |
.03215
troy ounces
|
| 1
kilogram |
= |
32.15
troy ounces
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| 1
tonne |
= |
32,151
troy ounces
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| 1
avoirdupois (ordinary) ounce |
= |
.911
troy ounces
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| 1
avoirdupois (ordinary) pound |
= |
14.58
troy ounces
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Caring
for Your Jewelry
Some
simple guidelines to keep your jewelry looking great for
years:
- Don’t
wear your jewelry while doing rough work. Even though
a most jewelry is durable, a hard blow can chip a
stone.
- Bring
your jewelry to a qualified jeweler if you notice
a loose stone setting, stones moving or any other
noticeable damage to your jewelry. It’s a good idea
to have a jeweler check the setting in your diamond
ring (while you watch) once a year.
- Always
remove your jewelry before bathing and grooming. Think
of your jewelry as the final touch and put it on right
before you get on with your day. Hairspray, gel, body
lotion, moisturizer, perfume, mousse, make-up, shaving
cream and soap are chemicals that can leave a residue
on jewelry, creating a dull film that is very difficult
to remove.
- To
be safe, always remove your jewelry before working
with chlorine bleach. When silver is exposed to chlorine
bleach, the chemical has an oxidizing effect on the
metal, causing it to turn an unsightly black. Chlorine
is detrimental to gold as well.
- Keep
it dry. Using water to clean and rinse some of your
jewelry is permissible; however, make sure it’s dried
thoroughly when you’re done. Moisture will cause tarnish
on silver and will weaken the springs and clasps.
Certain jewelry, such as pearl and gemstone jewelry,
should never be soaked in water or worn when bathing.
The stones in such jewelry may be glued into the settings
and the moisture will cause the glue to loosen, causing
the stones to fall out and get lost. Always make sure
your jewelry items are thoroughly dry before placing
them in an enclosed area, or your jewelry will get
water spots.
- When
you’re not wearing your jewelry, be sure to store
it in a fabric-lined case or in a box with dividers
or separate compartments--jewelry pieces can scratch
each other.
Cleaning Your Jewelry
Your
jewelry can get smudged, soiled and dusty over a short
period of time. Lotions, powders, soaps--even the natural
oils from your skin--can create a film on gemstones, reducing
their brilliance. In addition, chemicals in the air can
oxidize or discolor the mountings. Keeping your jewelry
clean will maximize its beauty. Here are four ways Diamond.com
suggests you clean your jewelry:
Detergent Bath:
Prepare a small bowl of warm suds using any mild household
liquid detergent. Brush the jewelry with a soft brush
until you have created a lather around it. With the jewelry
on a plastic or metal strainer, rinse off with warm water
(be sure not to clean your jewelry over the drain!) Pat
your jewelry dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Cold Water Soak:
Make a solution of 4 parts cold-water and 1 part very
mild dishwashing detergent. Soak the pieces for several
minutes. Lift out and tap gently around all sides of the
mounting with a soft brush. Rinse the pieces in the solution
once more and drain on tissue paper.
Quick-Dip Method:
Buy one of the brand name liquid jewelry cleaners, choosing
the one that is best for the kind of stones and metals
in your jewelry. Read the label carefully and follow the
instructions. Do not touch your clean diamonds with your
fingers, as the oils from your hands will leave a film
on the stone.
The Ultrasonic Cleaner:
There are many types of these small machines available
to the public today. They will clean any piece of jewelry
that can be soaked in a liquid within a matter of minutes.
These machines often have a metal cup, which is filled
with water and detergent. When the machine is turned on,
a high-frequency turbulence is created. Avoid using ultrasonic
cleaners on emeralds.
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