Purity of gold is not same; it ranges from 24 K to a mere 10 k. The gold fineness in the case of 24 K is high whereas it is less than half in the case of 10 K. Let me illustrate briefly how fineness of gold is generally denoted and the type of fineness that is traded amongst nations and the sheen of colour that spreads out from it.
Purity of gold jewellery is stated in Karat or millesimal fineness or in gold percentage. When we talk about 24 K we mean the Karat is 24, millesimal fineness is 999 and the gold percentage as 99.9%. The most easiest and convenient form is to state gold in millesimal fineness, a system of denoting the purity of metal by parts per thousand of pure metal by its mass. But the common people refuse to bow to this metric system and continue the legend of Karat. I have opted for both Karat and millesimal fineness in the following list of gold jewellery traded in the world:
1. 24 K gold: Commonly sold in bars or biscuits 24 gold jewellery is also available in basic jewellery form referred to as “Chuk Kam” or pure gold in Cantonese. Shining bright in gold colour, 999 gold is widely traded in places having majority Chinese nationals including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. Switzerland is the only exception for 24 K territory
2. 23 K gold: Available only in Thailand 965 gold is dark yellow in tinge, yet blends richness of gold with basic designs of jewellery
3. 22 K gold: The king among the Ks, 917 yellow gold is the most popular karat in which gold jewellery is made in eye popping designs. Accepted as the one and only gold karat in South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka it has extended its tentacles into several territories outside the region into Malaysia and Middle-East where large Indian ethnic communities live
4. 21 K gold: Still retaining the yellow tint 845 gold is a craze in and around Persian Gulf region extending to all four sides, west to Levant north to Turkey south to Arabian Peninsula and East to border lands of Pakistan
5. 20 K gold: Except in parts of Malaysia and Indonesia 833 yellow gold is not a manufacturer’s delight
6. 18 K gold: Glittering light yellow 750 gold is sought after in the opposite sides of the Mediterranean Sea. Italy and France in Southern Europe and Egypt in North Africa are noted for the use of 18 k gold jewellery
7. 16 K gold: This light yellow 666 gold jewellery has no great following in many countries. Never the less it is still being made by jewellers on order for wealthy and aristocratic clients in Europe
8. 14 K gold: Immensely popular in both USA and UK this light yellow 583 gold jewellery comes in brilliant designs to offset the lower gold purity
9. 10 K gold: An engaging yet pale yellow background gives this 416 gold steady clientele in North America, Canada and United States in particular vote for 10 k gold jewellery
10. 8 K gold: Northern Europe, especially Germany goes after this 333 gold despite its pale yellow glint.
Muthu Ashraff
Business Adviser
Mobile: +94 777 265677
E-mail: cosmicgems@gmail.com
Web: http://www.cosmicgemslanka.com
Blog: http://cosmicgemslanka.com/blog/
No comments:
Post a Comment