Jewelers create yellow, rose, green and white golds by using different alloys. Gold is very durable and look no further than the nearest museum where gold jewelry, coins and artifacts from ancient civilizations attest to the metal's enduring beauty and permanence. Jewelers throughout the ages have preferred gold to all other metals for its beauty and ease of workmanship. Gold can be melted, or shaped, to create any design. It can be alloyed with a number of other metals to increase its strength and produce a variety of colors.
Gold comes in a variety of colors.
Because gold is alloyed with other metals to increase its strength, it can also be made in a variety of colors. Likewise, the backs of pins and earring posts should be strong and firmly attached to the piece with no soldering marks visible. With gold chain, lay it flat and make sure the links don't kink or bend. In the United States, 14-karat gold is used most commonly for jewelry. Look for trademarks accompanying the quality mark.