Jewelry Facts and Features Page 2
Jewelry Facts & Features
Frequently asked questions about sterling silver jewelry, gemstones, and more
Gold Jewelry, Gold-Filled Jewelry, and Gold Plated Jewelry
What Is “14 Karat” Gold?
Like fine silver, fine gold is alloyed with other metals to improve strength and durability. The amount of fine gold used is traditionally measured in karats. “Pure gold” is represented as 24 karat. In its pure state, however, gold is quite soft and is rarely used for jewelry.
The most common gold alloys used in the United States are 14 karat and 18 karat. 14 karat gold consists of 58.3 percent fine gold. 18 karat gold consists of 75 percent fine gold.
What Is Gold Filled Jewelry?
Gold filled jewelry is made up of gold tubing, which is then filled with brass. This gives the item the look and feel of gold jewelry, at a much more affordable price. Gold filled jewelry has about 100 times more gold than gold-plated jewelry, so the gold surface will never flake, peel, or wear off.
At MMA International, our gold filled jewelry meets 14/20 gold fill standards. This means that the gold tubing consists of 14 karat gold, and that the tubing makes up 5 percent (1/20) of the total metal weight.
What Metals Are Used for MMA’s Gold Plated Items?
Unless otherwise noted, our gold plated items consist of sterling silver with 14 karat gold plating. Items marked as fashion jewelry do not contain precious metal, except for plating. Gold plated fashion jewelry items consist of base metal plated with 14 karat gold.
Alternative Metals
What is Tungsten Carbide?
Tungsten Carbide is an alloy of Tungsten and Carbon — when combined, the metal is extremely hard and durable. MMA International’s tungsten jewelry is made up of Tungsten Carbide.
Tungsten Carbide is ten times harder than 18 karat gold, five times harder than tool steel, and four times harder than Titanium. It is almost impossible to scratch and will keep its shine for a lifetime. Tungsten Carbide jewelry is known for its heavy weight and deep, modern color.
MMA’s tungsten jewelry is all cobalt free. Some tungsten jewelry on the market is manufactured with cobalt, which can cause adverse skin reactions. Tungsten jewelry containing cobalt can also develop oxidization spots that cannot be removed. MMA’s tungsten jewelry does not contain cobalt.
Why is Titanium a Popular Choice for Men’s Jewelry?
Titanium is a fast-growing trend in the men’s jewelry sector and has many benefits. It is extremely resistant to corrosion and water and it is hypo-allergenic — people who have allergies to gold or silver can wear titanium without any problem. It is has a very high strength-to-weight ratio, resulting in lightweight, strong jewelry that is comfortable to wear. Because it is so strong and lightweight, titanium has been used for years in aerospace technology applications. And, titanium offers the stylish, rich color of platinum at a much more affordable price.
Can Tungsten and Titanium Rings Be Removed in an Emergency?
Yes. In an emergency situation such as a hand or finger injury, it might be medically necessary to remove a ring. Although Tungsten Carbide and Titanium rings are harder than some other metals used for jewelry, rings made of these materials can be removed or cut off in an emergency.
