NOVEMBER 2016 ;e Costco Connection 95
BY ERIK J. MARTIN
FROM WEDDING BANDS to bracelets, earrings, necklaces and pendants,
Americans who love their jewelry are
sold on gold.
Need proof that gold is the metal of
choice for making a fashion statement,
Council (
gold.org), growth in gold
jewelry and watch sales rose strongly
in 2015; the demand for gold is at its
highest since 2009.
Bling with zing
Gold is often favored as a jewelry material
because of its bright color, high luster, malleability (which allows it to be molded into many
shapes and styles), tarnish resistance and relative rarity. In fact, per the American Museum
of Natural History in New York City, over 90
percent of all gold ever used has been mined
since 1848. Gold is also timelessly in vogue,
thanks to its classic look, longstanding desirability and romantic allure.
“Gold jewelry has been cherished for
thousands of years, and, because of its rarity,
maintains a stable monetary value that’s rec-
ognized internationally,” says Jerome Heiden-
reich, a graduate gemologist in Los Angeles.
“Many pieces are passed down throughout
several generations.”
Chicago resident and Costco member
Bridget Beehler can vouch for gold’s glamour
and appeal. “When I was younger, I preferred
silver over gold because I thought gold was
considered out of fashion. But today, I prefer
gold for its classic and timeless appearance,
and I like the way it looks with dia-
monds and pearls,” says Beehle. “I think
it’s prettier against most skin tones and
has a better sparkle to it than silver.”
Karat merit
Pure 24-karat gold is rarely used in
jewelry because it’s too soft to withstand wear and tear, which is why
gold is typically alloyed with more
durable metals, like silver, copper and
platinum; 18-karat gold (marked as 18K
or 750) is an alloy with 18 out of 24 parts pure
gold, or 75 percent gold by weight, while
14-karat gold (marked as 14K or 585) is 58. 5
percent pure gold. The lower the karat, the
harder the material is.
“Real gold is heavy: The higher the karat-age, the heavier the weight and the more lustrous the color,” says Peter Tulupman, head of
Costume jewelry, by contrast, is inexpensive for a reason: It is either plated or filled with
low-purity gold that can easily wear away.
The alloying process also gives gold jewelry its distinct tones, including yellow, white,
and pink/rose.
“Gold jewelry truly goes with everything—every skin tone and every outfit,” says
Amanda Gizzi, spokesperson for New York
City–based Jewelers of America. “Today’s
fashion style includes mixing metals together.
For example, you can wear yellow gold with
your white metals and vice versa.”
All that glitters is not gold
Before purchasing a gold jewelry piece,
experts advise inspecting it carefully for quality, paying particular attention to the finish,
polish, solder points, clasp strength and joints.
THECOSTCOCONNECTION
Costco offers ;ne jewelry and unique
pieces in 14- or 18-karat gold or 950
platinum in Costco warehouses as well as
online at Costco.com. Pieces shown: Gold
heart pendant, Item #1103877. Diamond-cut gold teardrop earrings, Item #1105070.
Gold bracelet, Item #1104421.
“Most retailers should list the karat quality right in the product description, and lesser
‘gold-plated’ jewelry should be clearly labeled
as such,” says Heidenreich.
The best gold jewelry is manufactured by
highly skilled craftspeople who abide by strict
quality-control measures. And the best jewelry
retailers will stand behind their products by
demonstrating the item’s quality and authenticity and providing a reasonable quality guarantee and product warranty/return policy.
“It can be incredibly hard for an average
consumer with no experience to tell the quality of a piece of gold jewelry from just looking
at it,” Heidenreich adds, “so make sure you
buy jewelry from a reputable company.” C
Erik J. Martin is a Chicago-area writer.
KEEP GOLD GLOWING
WHILE GOLD jewelry is relatively
resilient, it can become dirty,
scratched and tarnished over time
and require maintenance.
To preserve your investment,
follow these suggestions.
• Remove it before using tools
or engaging in sports, and avoid
contact with rough or sharp items—
the higher the karat, the easier it is
to scratch.
• Store it alone in a cloth pouch
or a separate compartment from
other jewelry.
• Avoid contact with ammonia, chlorine and other harsh cleaning agents.
• Clean it occasionally with a soft, dry
cloth to remove oils, soil and moisture.
• Take it to a trusted jeweler for a
professional cleaning and polishing once
a year.—EJM
© SHUTTERSTOCK / SYDA PRODUCTIONS
t
it’s prettier against most skin tones and
tr
or 750) is an alloy with 18 out of 24 parts pure
The standard gold
How to shop for and
maintain gold jewelry
ter-quality gold can retain its value even in the
s n es d
be marked with a trademark or hallmark,
scratched and tarnished over time
