Features of 985 gold and tips for its selection
Rare 985 standard gold raises many questions from people who are poorly familiar with jewelry. Not so much is known about what it is - the metal is quite soft, you will not find it on store shelves in the form of rings and earrings. Features of white and other gold of 985 assay value, its composition should be studied in more detail so as not to fall for the tricks of fraudsters when buying.
What it is?
The rare 985 fineness of gold indicates that the alloy contains 98.5% pure noble metal... And also a ligature based on copper and silver can be included in its composition. If palladium is added instead, white gold is obtained - a material with a noble luster and a light shade of the surface. Even in a volume of 1%, this metal provides a yellow lightening, but it will not be as intense as in the case of low-grade compositions.
At the moment, only samples officially exist in Russia. 585, 750 and 958. Fineness 985 means that the material is as close as possible to pure native gold with all its advantages and disadvantages, and the product itself is produced abroad. In the carat system, it corresponds to a value of 23 carats, almost the highest among the existing ones. It is characterized by intense gloss and bright yellow color.
Like other high-grade alloys, this gold is very soft and easily deformed.
Advantages and disadvantages
The obvious advantages of pure gold 985 assay value include it high cost and value - an investment in such a precious metal can definitely be considered a profitable investment. Especially when buying gold in the form of bars, coins. The unique color of the metal that matches the natural color is also highly valued.
There are also drawbacks to 985 gold, and they are directly related to its practical application. This alloy is very soft, easily damaged, and deforms during compression without visible effort.
Soft metal pretty wears out quickly, losing weight. This is why it is not used to make traditional jewelry used for permanent wear.
Applications
Gold 985 rarely used in jewelry because of its softness. It is found as decorative details on complex expensive jewelry that is not usually worn every day. Massive wedding rings are made of 23-carat white gold - the large thickness of the metal increases the mechanical strength of the product.
Otherwise, the use of this alloy is relevant for the following areas:
- dental;
- electronic;
- chemical;
- investment.
Gold of 985 assay value is used for the manufacture of gold bars in the banking sector. Valuable investment coins are cast from it.
And also high-grade gold is used as a coating for less noble metals. Chemical neutrality makes gold ideal for making dental crowns and orthopedic structures in dentistry.
How to choose?
When choosing jewelry made of 985 gold, it is worth considering that such jewelry is not officially sold in Russian stores. The maximum purity of the metal in this case can be 95.8%. It can be found in pawnshops and thrift stores. But the assay mark will look completely different. It will have the number 23 and the letters K, Kt, C, CT - the exact designation depends on the country of production.
The color scheme of high-grade gold is initially bright yellow... And there are also options in white, red, pink, green performance... Regardless of the ligature, the basic tone will remain unchanged, it will acquire only a slight additional shade.
When choosing, this should be taken into account. Even high-grade white gold will be deep yellow, if the product is silver, we are clearly talking about a cheap fake.
Softness - another sign of a real alloy with 98.5% pure gold. Metal is easily damaged and deformed even with light pressure. If this does not happen, we are talking about a lower-grade composition.
When making to order, jewelers recommend taking a 98.5% alloy only for the decorative part of the jewelry: twisted elements and complex curly details applied over a harder base. This combination can be used to create eye-catching earrings and other artistic items, adding value.
When buying abroad, it is important to pay attention to the fact that a certificate and a receipt must be provided for the products, which will detail all related information. There are countries from which gold cannot be officially exported to the Russian Federation: it is worth studying the list before going shopping.
How to care?
All types of high-grade gold require careful treatment and careful care. A few simple guidelines should be followed.
- Storage separate from other jewelry... Preferably in a special case. Joint storage or contact of metal products with different hardness values should be excluded.
- Refusal from constant wearing... Products made of high-grade metals are worn on special occasions. With constant wear, they quickly wear out, and from contact with sweat, sebum, they fade, lose their shine. Perfumery and cosmetic compositions, if they come into contact with the metal surface, cause oxidation.
- Protection against household chemicals. For 985 gold, contact with chlorinated and seawater, household chemicals and other reagents is fatal. In this case, be sure to protect your hands with gloves.
- Refusal to self-cleaning... It is important that a professional is engaged in this matter, since the ultrasonic instruments used in the jewelry industry do not require mechanical action on the material. Home polishing and cleaning will damage the expensive item.
- Refusal to wear at high and low atmospheric temperatures... High-grade metals are so sensitive to external influences that even heat or frost can lead to deformation and cracking of their surface.
All these tips will help to preserve products made of 985 standard gold in excellent condition, exclude the loss of a valuable metal of mass or its natural properties.
About what samples of gold are, see below.
