TRUE GOLD CONTENT OF

24 KARAT GOLD CHAINS

PART 1

PART 2

UNDERSTANDING 24K GOLD CHAINS

Are 24K Gold Chains Pure Gold?

24K Gold Chains Very Close to Pure Gold but NOT Quite

When you see and hold a 24K gold chain, you will notice.  The color is close to yellow.  The chain is much heavier than what it visually appears.  The material feels really good.  Usually, the craftsmanship is superb because the material justifies it.  This type of gold chain feels awesome. 24 Karat gold chains are indeed very desirable items.  BUT, are they actually made of pure gold.  That is what this article explains in detail.

Summary

Even if a 24K gold chain is manufactured with 999 parts per 1000 fine gold, most likely after the manufacturing process, the end result is that the 24K chain, although still qualifies as 24K, it is a little less pure.  The only exception to this is would be if no soldering is applied.  This is hard to accomplish and still build a chain, but it can be done.  So, there are exceptions. 

Article Intention

In this article, I explain, from the point of view of a gold buyer, the details of why most 24K gold chains are actually, in overall mass, a little less than pure, but still qualify as 24K.  As a gold buyer what matters is how much fine mass of gold I actually buy.  So, I am very precise about this subject.  This is how I make a living.  I always pay as much as possible given how much gold will be extracted out of a piece of gold jewelry.  So in my case, a little bit of imprecision in my fine gold content expectation can have for financial implications.

Implications

Money Matters:  Justifiably, 24K chains are expensive.  There is are plenty of reasons.  When people spend that much on piece of jewelry, they have a lot of expectations and hopes.  Thus, expectations need to be realistic.  Otherwise there will be un-needed disappointments, that could have been prevented with a little bit of education.

Liquidation Price at Sale:  At the time of buying gold, the actual fineness is a big deal because it affects the offer price. 

Right Expectations:  It may be that a not well-informed person buys a 24K assuming that the chain is actually pure gold when it is not.  This may result in later disappointment.  However, it is matter of understanding and of having the right expectations.

Providing Correct Information at Sale:  It may be that a well-intentioned but not well-informed salesperson represents a 24K gold chain as being made absolutely pure gold.  That is actually an untruth. 

The 24K Gold Chain Situation

Anyone can say anything when there is no explanation.  Claiming is for free.  The thing is this.  When there is no money, or other important matters, involved, precisions do not matter.  However, once money or other important matters are a factor, it is important to get precise about definitions.  That way everybody understands the same thing the same way, and expectations are realistic.

What is a “Gold Chain”?

A gold chain is a gold jewel made of interlocked links made of gold alloy.  Each link is closed such that it locks the other links into it.  The closure of each link may be soldered, such as in “Cuban link” design chain.  The links may also be closed by their shape, such as in the case of “rope link” design chain.

What is Pure Gold?

Theoretically, pure gold does not exist.  However, a super high approximation to pure gold is possible.  This is how it works.  To begin with, not even fine gold bullion qualifies as “pure gold”.  This is because there is there is always the theoretical possibility of impurities.  Thus, the finest gold bullion, refined with the latest and greatest state of the art equipment, techniques, and science, qualifies as 9,999 parts per 10,000 pure gold.  The LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) standard is 995 parts per 1,000 pure gold.  To this, add the fact that, other than minting and casting, there is no other industrial process applied to the refined gold. That is not the case with most 24 Karat jewelry.

PART 2