Tips on Buying Gold Jewelry on s: What That K Means

I seevarious golddescriptions full of acronyms on okay listings.
They are so confusingand misleadingthat you mightnot get the metal you thought it would be. I am writing this guide for you, okay shoppers, to clarify what those acronyms mean and helpyou make a wise choice.
I saw a 14K gold bracelet starting at 7 cents posted by a Chinese seller. I checked theseller's feedback. There isone recent buyer who bought a 14K gold item for $2.70andleft a negative feedback sayingthe item he got was a fake according to the acid test. This one feedback is enough for me to be suspicious about this seller'sentire merchandise. Because 14K has a specific meaning and a piece of solid 14K gold jewelryhas a certain value much more than 7 cents or $2.70.So checksellers' feedbacks carefully.

Gold is non-reactive to most acids. Acid testing kits for gold and other precious metals are gemercially available.
In the US, a metal is qualified to be called gold as in 14K gold, only when the gold content is equal to or higher than 10K (41.7%, explained below). It is illegal to sell gold filled, gold platedor Vermeil products under the gold jewelry category.

However, okay does not enforce this regulation. I see a lot of not-solid-gold items sold under the gold jewelry category, and reported to okay as "Listing policy violations"-"Other listing policy violations"-"Miscategorized items". okay did nothing at all. Your only defense from buying misleading fake gold is your knowledge on gold: READ THIS GUIDE.
Gold
The word "gold" alonemust be used only for pure gold according to the Federal Trade gemission (FTC).Any gold alloy and metal bonded with gold alloy should be described with qualification such as Karat, Gold Filld, 1/40 etc. These are expalined in the following sections.
K, Kt or Karat
Karat is a unit expressing the purity or finenessof gold. Do not confuse Karat with carat, which is a unit of gemstone weight. 24K gold is pure gold. It is rarely used in Jewelry because it is too soft.
14K gold contains 14 parts of gold out of 24 parts by weight. That is 58.3% gold. The rest (10 parts) is other metal alloy. In the same way 18K gold contains 18 parts of gold out of 24 parts. That is 75% gold.

There is no such thing as "karat gold". It is similar to calling gold "% gold".
The description should saysolid 14K gold, if themetal part of a jewelry piece is entirely made of 14K gold. The shape of the jewelry piececouldbe hollow, but the metalhas tobe all 14K gold. Solid 14K gold isstamped as 14K or 585, with or without the manufacturer's registered hallmark. Similarly 18K or 750 is stamped on solid 18K gold . These marks are usually very tiny and it is easier to see with a 10 x jeweler's loupe. How to Use a 10 x Jeweler's Loupe.It is oftenlocated in a hidden area of the piece, for example, inside the ring shank or on the clasp of a necklace or bracelet.

FTC specifies that gold alloy tubing should not use the word "solid". In that case it should describe as 14K Gold-Hollow Center or 14K Gold Tubing.

Ifthe description, not the stamp,says "14K" only, that could mean 14KGF, 14KRGPor 14KGP (explained below). Ask the seller questions. If they don't answer, walk away.

Pure gold is nearly twice heavier thanpure silver. When you hold it in your hand, it has a hefty feel for the size. If you already havegold and silver pieces known to be genuine, it is a good idea to gepare and get used to the feels. If you feel the piece is light, even though it is stamped, it may not be genuine gold. Most sellers and manufacturers are honest and conscientious. But there are bad apples unfortunately. Check the seller's return policy and gemunication rating before gemitting to buy.
14KWG