Sep
If you’re new to purchasing designer Italian gold jewelry, it’s more than selecting a favorite piece. Our exclusive guide will help you choose the perfect jewelry.
Keyword(s): Italian gold jewelry
Looking to refresh your jewelry collection? Whether you seek a bold statement piece or something timeless for daily wear, gold jewelry is always a fantastic choice. However, it’s crucial to ensure you’re getting the right kind.
Renowned for its high quality and distinctive design, Italian gold jewelry stands out. Unsure how to verify its authenticity? Continue reading to discover everything you need to know about buying designer Italian gold jewelry.
The History of Italian Gold Jewelry
Italy is globally recognized for producing exquisite, luxurious jewelry of various kinds. Italian gold jewelry, in particular, is celebrated for its distinctive color and quality. Each year, the country processes 500 tons of fine gold for jewelry crafting!
Five regions—Milan, Vicenza, Arezzo, Valenza, and Torre del Greco—are especially renowned for crafting the world’s finest jewelry.
No matter which region your piece comes from, you can be confident it was made by a master. In Italy, aspiring jewelers must first apprentice with a skilled goldsmith. Often, these master artisans pass down their secrets from generation to generation, preserving their trade’s legacy. Learning from the best ensures all Italian jewelry makers create pieces that are genuinely special.
Criteria for Evaluating Gold Jewelry
When shopping for Italian gold jewelry, consider a few key factors.
The value of gold is partly determined by its purity, measured in karats, with karat measurement dividing purity into 24ths. Thus, 24 karat gold is 100 percent pure.
Gold jewelry typically ranges from 24, 18, 14, 12, to 10 karats. The higher the karat, the more expensive the jewelry.
While 24-karat gold is pure, 18-karat gold is 75 percent gold, consisting of 18 parts gold and 6 parts other metals.
In the U.S., 14-karat gold is the most common. Italian gold jewelry, usually 18 karats or higher, tends to be pricier than American-made pieces.
Consider your lifestyle when assessing purity. Though 24-karat gold is the purest, it’s also softer and more susceptible to damage. If you plan on wearing your jewelry daily, a slightly less pure variant might be more practical.
Additional markings on gold jewelry indicate purity in European terms:
- 18K gold is marked 750, indicating 75% gold.
- 14K gold is marked 585, indicating 58.5% gold.
- 10K gold is marked 417, indicating 41.7% gold.
Besides purity markings, your gold jewelry may feature a hallmark or trademark to identify its maker and sometimes its country of origin. If your piece is over a century old, it may lack a hallmark, so you should have its gold content tested before purchasing.
Some pieces also show markings for additional metals: “GF” for gold-filled, “GP” for gold-plated, “Pd” for Palladium, “PT” and “PLAT” for platinum, and “SS” and “STEEL” for stainless steel.
Rings may include single or double-digit markings to signify their size.
Gold Colors
Gold comes in several colors: yellow, pink, white, and sometimes green. These colors result from mixing gold with other metals and are usually no more than 18 karats.
White gold forms when gold is combined with palladium or nickel. Pink or rose gold arises from blending in copper, while green gold is made by mixing gold with silver. Because silver is valuable, green gold tends to be the most expensive.
It’s important to remember that not all yellow gold is pure. Always check the purity markings to be certain.
Steps to Purchasing Jewelry
Before you head to the store to make your purchase, be aware of several important considerations. Keeping these tips in mind will help you acquire high-quality Italian gold jewelry.
When buying precious gold jewelry, it’s crucial to choose a reputable source. To verify a jeweler’s trustworthiness, ask the following questions:
- Are they willing to provide credentials and certification?
- Do they offer services such as resizing and custom design?
- Are they knowledgeable about their products?
- Does their jewelry display the purity markings mentioned earlier?
A key indicator of a reputable jeweler is whether they offer a warranty.
Opt for jewelry that includes a warranty, even if it costs more, ensuring you can get it repaired if damaged.
At Artful Bracelets, we offer a lifetime satisfaction warranty on all our pieces.
Given the expense of jewelry, it’s vital to ensure you receive what you pay for.
Karat value trademarks offer assurance that your jewelry is worth its price. If buying online, ensure one of the images shows the trademark.
Price can also hint at authenticity. If a deal seems too good to be true, it might be counterfeit.
Buy Your Italian Gold Jewelry Today
With newfound knowledge on selecting designer Italian gold jewelry, it’s time to start shopping! At Artful Bracelets, we offer a wide range of high-quality pieces for you to explore.
If you have any questions about our jewelry, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our pieces and services.
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