18k Gold Jewelry at Simona Fine Italian Jewelry

All gold isn't created equal.

Simona Fine Italian Jewelry retails the highest quality of 18k Italian gold. In order to appreciate the superiority of our fine gold, you must understand that all gold isn't created equal. The following guidelines will help you judge the value of gold, and explain why Italian gold is considered to be the finest in the world.

Karats: the Worldwide Measurement for Gold.
The value of gold jewelry is internationally measured by units of weight called "karats." Karats reveal the jewelry's percentage of gold by measuring it on a scale of 1 to 24, with 24 being the highest value. You can discover a piece's weight by looking for a discreet hallmark, or stamp, which includes a number alongside a "k" or "kt" for karat. Remember that although gold's value is only determined by its karat weight, the value of gold jewelry depends on its karats as well as its materials and craftsmanship.

Alloys add strength and color to gold.
Pure 24k gold, also called "fine gold," cannot withstand daily wear or be polished to a high shine. Therefore, since ancient times, goldsmiths have blended gold with other metals- or alloys- to add durability, luster and even color. Alloys include silver, zinc, nickel, palladium and copper. Palladium gives white gold its cool tone, and copper lends warmth to rose gold.

Italian Gold is the Standard for Designer Jewelry.
It is important to know that "gold" is defined differently by different nations, despite the universality of karats. Italian law requires that gold jewelry sold in Italy must be 18k gold, which is 75 percent gold- the standard for designer jewelry. Some nations allow 8k gold to be sold within their country as "gold," although it only contains 33 percent gold. In Great Britain, 9k gold may be sold as gold, and in America, 14k gold, or 58 percent gold, is the norm for jewelry.