Gold Guides Hub
Fine Gold Expert Guides & Resources: Mastering the Fundamentals
Comprehensive, science-based guides to understanding gold purity, karats, alloys, and craftsmanship. Expert knowledge from Deeve's five-generation heritage in fine jewelry.
Why Gold Education Matters
Gold is more than a precious metal—it's an investment in heirloom quality, lasting beauty, and enduring value. Understanding gold purity, karat weights, alloy compositions, durability, and care practices empowers you to make informed decisions when selecting fine jewelry that will be treasured for generations.
Essential Gold Knowledge
14K vs 18K vs 24K Gold Comparison
Master the materials science behind gold purity. Understand how karat weight affects durability, wear resistance, color intensity, and long-term performance in fine jewelry.
Read Guide →Why Pure Gold Is Rarely Used
Discover the scientific reasons why 24K pure gold isn't practical for everyday jewelry and why alloying creates superior wearable pieces.
Read Guide →Gold Alloys: Strength, Color & Wear
Learn how copper, silver, palladium, and other metals combine with gold to create distinct colors, enhanced durability, and optimal performance characteristics.
Read Guide →White vs Yellow vs Rose Gold
Explore the alloy differences between gold color variations. Understand composition, rhodium plating, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic considerations.
Read Guide →The Science of Gold Hardness
Go beyond the Mohs scale to understand gold's true hardness, scratch resistance, and how alloying affects structural integrity for daily wear.
Read Guide →Does Solid Gold Tarnish?
Understand the chemistry of gold oxidation, why solid gold resists tarnish, and what causes discoloration in lower-karat alloys over time.
Read Guide →Advanced Gold Topics
Why Gold Plated Jewelry Fails
Learn the structural reasons gold plating wears off, how thin micron layers degrade, and why solid gold offers superior long-term value.
Explore →Daily Wear Effects on Gold Jewelry
Discover how everyday activities, friction, and environmental exposure affect gold jewelry over months and years of continuous wear.
Explore →Skin Chemistry Effects on Gold
Understand how sweat, water, pH levels, and individual skin chemistry interact with gold alloys and affect appearance over time.
Explore →What Makes Gold Heirloom Quality?
Learn the specific characteristics—material purity, construction methods, and design principles—that ensure jewelry lasts for generations.
Explore →Casting vs Forging Gold Jewelry
Compare the structural differences between cast and forged gold pieces and how manufacturing methods affect durability and longevity.
Explore →Jewelry Repairability & Long-Term Value
Discover why the ability to repair, resize, and refurbish jewelry is critical for maintaining value and extending wearable life.
Explore →Is Gold Jewelry an Asset?
Examine gold jewelry from both investment and material perspectives—intrinsic value, market factors, and emotional worth.
Explore →Fine Jewelry Care Guide
Expert tips for cleaning, storing, and maintaining your gold and diamond jewelry to preserve brilliance for generations.
Explore →The Deeve Gold Standard
At Deeve, we work exclusively with solid 14k and 18k gold—never plated, never filled. Every piece is crafted in our Ontario studio with meticulous attention to purity, finish, and structural integrity. Our five-generation heritage in fine jewelry ensures that every gold piece meets the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
- 100% Solid Gold: 14k and 18k options for optimal durability and luxury
- Canadian Craftsmanship: Designed, cast, and finished in-house at our Ontario studio
- Lifetime Warranty: Comprehensive coverage on all gold jewelry
- Complimentary Refurbishment: Professional cleaning and polishing services
- Ethical Sourcing: Responsibly sourced materials with full traceability
- Heirloom Construction: Built to last generations with proper care
Popular Gold Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best karat gold for everyday jewelry?
14k gold offers the ideal balance of durability, purity, and value for everyday wear. It's strong enough to withstand daily activities while maintaining rich gold color and hypoallergenic properties. Read our complete 14K vs 18K vs 24K comparison.
Why isn't pure 24K gold used in jewelry?
Pure 24K gold is too soft for everyday wear—it scratches easily, bends under pressure, and doesn't hold gemstones securely. Alloying gold with other metals creates the strength needed for durable, wearable jewelry. Learn why pure gold is rarely used.
Does solid gold tarnish or lose its shine?
Pure gold does not tarnish, but alloys in 14k and 18k gold may develop patina over time from oils and environmental exposure. Regular cleaning restores original brilliance. Unlike plated jewelry, solid gold maintains its integrity indefinitely. Understand the chemistry of gold tarnish.
What's the difference between white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold?
The difference is in the alloy composition. Yellow gold uses copper and silver, white gold uses palladium or nickel plus rhodium plating, and rose gold uses higher copper content for the pink hue. All start with the same pure gold base. Explore gold color alloy differences.
Why does gold plated jewelry wear off?
Gold plating is a thin micron-layer coating (typically 0.5-2.5 microns) over base metal. Daily friction, skin chemistry, and environmental exposure cause this thin layer to wear through, revealing the base metal underneath. Solid gold doesn't have this problem. Learn why gold plated jewelry fails.
How does daily wear affect gold jewelry?
Daily wear causes gradual surface scratching, slight metal loss from friction, and patina development. However, solid 14k and 18k gold are engineered for this—they maintain structural integrity and can be professionally polished to restore original finish. Understand daily wear effects.
What makes gold jewelry heirloom quality?
Heirloom quality requires solid gold construction (not plated), proper alloy selection for durability, expert craftsmanship, timeless design, and repairability. These factors ensure jewelry can be worn, maintained, and passed down through generations. Discover heirloom quality standards.
Is gold jewelry an investment or just a material?
Gold jewelry serves dual purposes—it has intrinsic material value based on gold content and market price, plus emotional and aesthetic value. While not a pure investment vehicle, solid gold jewelry retains value and can be melted, repurposed, or sold. Read our analysis of gold as an asset.
Latest Gold Education Articles
Explore our comprehensive blog for in-depth guides, materials science insights, and expert tips on gold selection and care.