Gold Education:

The value of gold is determined by its purity as well as the color in relationship to the overall market prices for the substance. While most gold is yellow, there are also several shades that occur naturally or as alloys when mixed with other precious metals.

Gold purity is measured in karats, 24 karats being the highest and most pure. Karat (abbreviated Kt) is a measure of the fineness of gold. 24 karat gold is pure gold. 18 karat gold is 18/24 gold (about 75% gold - three quarters gold). 14 karat gold is 14/24 gold (about 58% gold - a little over half gold). 12 karat gold is exactly half gold. 10 karat gold is 10/24 gold (only about 43.5% gold - less than half gold).

Many people consider investment in gold is good because it tends to hold its value in times when paper money fails.

Five Easy Care Steps for Gold Jewelry:

• To keep it looking fresh, try to keep your gold jewelry free from dust, moisture, perspiration and makeup.
• Don't wash gold jewelry with ordinary soap and water, as these will leave a dull film on the surface. Instead, clean gold jewelry with a jeweler-recommended cleaning solution or an ultrasonic machine. After cleaning and rinsing, dry and polish your jewelry with a chamois or soft cloth.
• Avoid wearing gold jewelry when using harsh chemicals or doing rough work. It's a strong metal, but it can still be scratched or dented.
• Protect your gold jewelry by storing it in a fabric-lined jewelry box or wrapping it in a soft cloth when not being worn.
• Always inspect your gold jewelry for weakness or damage and bring it to your jeweler for immediate repair.

The Dragon Clasp

The unusual clasp that binds these elegant gold necklaces has a fascinating history of its own. The Chinese call it the Dragon Clasp because of its unusual shape. Of all the twelve mystic signs in the Chinese Lunar calendar, the Dragon is considered the luckiest. This design is also the traditional symbol used by oriental craftsmen for jewelry made of pure 24K gold. Its use is equally unique. Instead of the ends of the chains being mechanically fastened, as is typical in jewelry today, the clasp works with a twist of the gold stem - forward to open, backward to close.