Topics
FAQS
What is gold?
Since its discovery seven thousand years ago, gold has been admired and valued for its warmth, its beauty, its sensuality, and spiritual richness.
From the first discoveries of gold in ancient times, its beauty and the ease with which it could be worked, inspired craftsmen to create unique objects of desire.
It has no oxides and is the only metal not affected by the oxygen in the atmosphere. No other metal surpasses gold in malleability and ductility.
Gold does not rust, tarnish or corrode. Pure gold is 24 carat which means it possesses 100% pure gold.
Where does gold come from?
Chief producing countries of gold are South Africa, Russia, Canada, The United States and Australia.
Our gold is mostly sourced from Australia & New Zealand.
What alloys make up 9ct and 18ct?
9ct means 9 out of 24 parts of the piece are pure gold while the other 15 parts are a mixture of copper, silver and zinc. 18ct means 18 out of 24 parts of the piece are pure gold.
| Carat | Gold Content | Fineness |
|---|---|---|
| 24ct | 100.0% | 999 |
| 22ct | 91.6% | 916 |
| 18ct | 75.% | 750 |
| 14ct | 58.3% | 583 |
| 10ct | 41.6% | 416 |
| 9ct | 37.5% | 375 |
Is gold available in other colours?
| Colour | Element |
|---|---|
| Yellow gold | Gold, copper, silver, zinc |
| White gold | Gold, palladium, zinc, copper |
| Red gold | Gold, copper, silver |
Is jewellery available in 24ct?
Yes, but for general use, 24ct is considered too soft.
How hard is gold?
On the Mohs Scale, gold is 2.5 – 3.
The Mohs scale of hardness was developed in 1812 by Fredrick Mohs and measures the hardness of minerals on a scale of 1-10.
How does this compare with other metals?
| Metal | Chemical Symbol | Mohs Hardness | Melting Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Au | 2.5 – 3 | 1945.4 °F |
| Platinum | Pt | 4 – 4.5 | 3224.3 °F |
| Palladium | Pd | 4 – 4.5 | 2831.0 °F |
| Silver | Ag | 2.5 – 3 | 1760.9 °F |
Why am I allergic to gold?
Skin discolouration by gold is caused by skin secretions or perspiration containing chloride. When perspiration comes into contact with the copper and silver alloys in gold it sulphides producing dark-coloured salts, copper sulphate or silver chloride. 18ct gold is not affected as easily as the lower carat gold’s. Changing to white gold or platinum will usually eliminate the problem.
Detergent or other chemicals, which lodge between the ring and the skin, can cause allergies. Hairdressers are often affected. Rinsing well can help but it is probably best to remove rings before using any troublesome chemicals and to use a barrier cream.
What is a seamless wedder?
Seamless wedding rings are turned from a single solid piece of gold, sterling or platinum. This makes for greater strength and improved durability.
What finishes can I have on my ring?
High polish – bright and shiny.
Satin finish – light parallel lines that sharply reduce the metal’s reflections.
Brushed – a satin like finish produced by a metal brush.
Hammered – a design created by hammering directly onto the surface of the ring.
Hand engraved – the design is cut with a sharp edged tool.
Diamond cut – a facetted, bright look is achieved by making angled cuts into the surface of the ring with a facetted diamond tipped tool.
What is “Comfort Curve™”?
The entire inner surface of the wedding band is contoured to allow less of the ring to touch the skin. The ring will slide easily onto the finger to provide a secure and extremely comfortable fit.
Should my ring last forever?
The wear and tear on your ring is going to be a result of your unique lifestyle activities. We suggest that if you are going to do activities that could damage rings, no matter the carat, quality or metal, take them off and store them conscientiously.
On which finger do I wear the wedding ring?
In 3rd century Greece the ring finger was the index finger. In India it was the thumb. The western tradition began with the Greeks who believed that the third finger of the left hand was connected directly to the heart.
How did the wedding ring originate?
The wedding ring originated in ancient Egypt initially made of hemp or vine. The Romans later adopted the custom and cast the dye for today’s tradition. Iron was used by these forebears to symbolise the strength of the couple’s bond. In the fifteenth century the British elevated the symbol by replacing iron with gold.
The circular shape represents eternity and consistent love and this is accentuated by the fact that W&D wedding bands are seamless.
Does the wedding ring go in front of or behind my engagement ring?
The wedding ring is placed on the finger before the engagement ring.
Can I wear a 9ct wedding ring with an 18ct engagement ring?
Yes, but there will be a slight colour difference.
How long will the pattern last?
This will depend on the pattern and the wear and tear due to lifestyle activities. Some rings can be re-engraved depending on the style and the age of the ring.
What is Rhodium Plating?
Rhodium is also a precious metal and is part of the platinum group. It also has catalytic properties.
As white gold can be grey in colour, it is common practice to rhodium plate white gold jewellery by an electrochemical process. It provides a bright, white, highly reflective and tarnish resistant coating, which is very hard and greatly increases the life of the high polish on the gold.
Why does my gold ring get dull or orange in colour?
Most gold jewellery is alloyed with copper, zinc and silver. Salt in skin acids and other chemicals picked up in daily life create an oxidising or tarnishing effect, usually the less pure the gold the more noticeable the tarnish or dullness.