What is 585 Gold
585 gold has an equivalent to “14k” in gold karat system. A jewelry with a stamp of “585” means that it is made of14 karat gold.
In this article we’ll look at what is 585 gold, how does 585 stamp look like, what’s the difference between carat and karat, and should you use it?
585 Jewelry Meaning
585 jewelry means that a jewelry piece is made of 14 karat gold purity.
How does 585 Jewelry Stamp Looks like?
585 gold jewelry stamp will look like either “14k” or “585“.
Here is an example of it where left one is showing white gold made with 14k purity and yellow gold in 585. Both of these are same.
Composition of 585 Gold
585 gold is made up of 58.5% gold and the rest is of any other metal. This other metal can be platinum, nickel or copper depending on the desired outcome. For example, if you want to get 585 yellow gold, you will mix 58.5% gold and the remaining 41.5% will be of copper. And the same goes in case of rose gold and white gold where the other metal is changed as per the purity level and desired color requirements. Note that all of these percentages are by weight.
Is 585 Gold same as 14k Gold?
Yes, 585 gold is same as 14k or 14 karat gold as per their composition. Actually, 585 gold is the other name of 14k gold. The only difference is the unit of measurement.
14k gold is measured in karat system where purity describes that “how many parts out of 24 are of gold”. 14k or 14 karat states that this alloy has 14 parts made of gold out of 24. Similarly, 585 is measured in percentage system where 585 states that 58.5% of the alloy contains gold and the rest is of any other metal.
Carat vs Karat
Some people might get confused between carat and karat.
Carat is a unit of measurement of size of a gemstone i.e. diamond.
Karat is a unit of measurement of purity of gold. i.e. 14k in this case.
What Colors 585 Gold is Available in?
585 or 14k gold can be available in many types as per composition, colors.
Yellow Gold:
Mixture of copper, gold and aluminum.
White Gold:
Mixture of gold with platinum or nickel.
Rose Gold:
Mixture of gold and copper.
Why Gold is available in so Many Purities
Pure gold is a soft and malleable metal. This property of pure gold makes it nearly impossible for jewelers to make complex designs and shapes with it. That’s why jewelers add other metals to increase the hardness of the metal. And these metals can be added in different quantities to match the price point of a buyer.
Where 585 Gold can be Used
585 gold can be used in various forms such as gold plating, solid gold jewelry, gold vermeil and gold filled jewelry etc.
Gold Plating
585 gold can be used for gold plating over a base metal like silver, copper or even steel. Main purpose of gold plating is to get gold looks at a cheaper price. This plating is very thin erodes off after some time.
Solid Gold Jewelry
The most commonly used jewelry of 585 gold is the solid gold jewelry. Different jewelry items such as necklaces, bracelets and rings can be easily made out of it. It is the most durable and hypoallergenic option than others mentioned here.
Gold Vermeil
Gold vermeil is also similar to gold plating where the plated layer needs to be at least 2.5 microns thick. Gold vermeil can withstand scratches and damages better than normal gold plating as it is thicker in size. In this way, you can expect to pay slightly more in case of 585 gold vermeil than gold plating.
Gold Filled Jewelry
Gold filled jewelry is a relatively newer type of gold jewelry. In this type of jewelry, gold is put over a cheaper base metal like silver or nickel just like gold plating. Gold filled is usually much more durable than gold plating as it is needed to contain at least 5% gold of the total weight making it much more reliable option than simple gold plating.
Pros of 585 Gold
585 gold offers the given set of pros.
1. Affordable
585 gold is an affordable option to have if you are tight on budget. As it is lower in purity level than 18k gold, less gold will be used in making it ultimately leading to less cost. For a more affordable option, buyers can also try out 585 gold plating or gold filled jewelry which will save them a lot of money. But obviously they will never be a good replacement for solid gold jewelry.
2. Scratch Resistant
Scratching is a common problem in gold jewelry. You can expect your gold jewelry to wear and tear with time. But there are some types which are more scratch resistant than others. For example, if you own 375 gold, it will get very less scratches in daily wearing than 750 gold.
3. Tarnishing Resistant
Tarnishing is one of the most common problem with jewelries containing silver or copper. It is basically a chemical reaction in which a rough layer is formed over metal’s surface causing duller appearance. 585 gold is a good tarnishing resistant metal but in some cases it can form tarnishing over it. This is mainly due to the presence of copper. The more copper you mix with gold, more will be the chances of tarnishing.
That’s why gold types with higher purity level have very less to none risk of tarnishing.
Cons of 585 Gold
Just like pros, 585 gold also offers some cons.
1. Low Purity
Compared to 18k or 750 gold, 585 gold is a less purer alloy of gold. This makes it having less goldish appearance. Some people might be ok with it while some may give purity a high priority. It all depends on the buying preferences of a buyer that what aspects they want to cater.
2. Non-Hypoallergenic
585 gold can be non-hypoallergenic at time if it contains high amounts of nickel. Normally it does not contain any nickel but some jewelers might add it with nickel in order to form whit colored gold alloys like white gold. This can lead to several allergic reactions specifically for people with sensitive skin. The best option to avoid such kind of thing is:
1. Avoid white gold with nickel
2. Use high purity gold like 750 or 18k
Conclusion
585 gold is a commonly used gold alloy in jewelry making. It can be used in various forms including gold plating, gold vermeil, solid gold and gold filled. It offers many pros like affordability, scratch resistance and tarnishing resistance if nickel is not used. Similarly, it also has cons. If you are one who is looking for an affordable option but can’t compromise on durability and purity factor, then 585 gold is for you.