Everyone who has at least once acquired products from precious metals is familiar with the concept of “test”. These are several numbers that are registered in the “passport” of the product and are on it in the form of a print.
But the samples are not the same. For example, gold can be marked with such numbers as 958, 750 and, of course, 585. The latter test is the most popular, since the prices for products with it are an order of magnitude lower than with others. But what do these numbers mean? After all, the metal on which they are applied seems to be the same.
What does the digital code on the product mean?
In fact, there are no solid gold items in the windows of jewelry stores. Everything that shines beautifully under the glass and is very expensive is made of alloys.
A test means how large the “golden component” is in the product. In other words, the jewelry on which the digital code 585 is located contains almost 59% of pure gold, and the rest is completely different metals.
What is added to gold?
The compositions of the alloys are very diverse, and this should be considered when buying. For example, people with hypersensitivity to copper and bronze, it is better not to buy earrings with a sample of 585, if their color gives in red or red. This shade indicates a high amount of allergen metals in the alloy.
A dull shade, devoid of gloss, indicates a high percentage of lead or antimony. Although according to the rules their number should not exceed 0.005%, this applies only to one type of metal, and not their total amount. That is, if you “disassemble” such a product into its constituent components, it turns out that a little bit of everything is mixed in it.
According to the GOST rules numbered 6835-80, lead, copper, silver, iron, bismuth and a number of other metals can be added to gold. Agree, it’s not pleasant to know that there were lead earrings in your ears.
A good, high-quality gold product with a breakdown of 585, as a rule, consists of the following components:
- gold - 48.5-49%;
- silver - 30%;
- copper - 34%.
It was from this alloy that jewelry was made with a breakdown of 585 in the Soviet Union.
But why is gold “diluted”? Really for reasons of economy?
What are alloys used for?
Gold is not strong in structure. This is a very soft metal that quickly abrases, easily deforms and breaks quickly. Who wants to pay big money for earrings that will become worthless after a couple of outings? If we talk about such jewelry as a necklace or diadem, then gold does not at all bear the weight of precious stones, it will bend even during processing in the workshop.
Accordingly, they “dilute” the precious metal not at all for reasons of economy and not to reduce the cost of products, but in view of necessity. There is only one reason for using the alloy in jewelry production - giving the product strength and durability.
The most expensive are palladium alloys, they are also considered the most durable and least allergic. This is the so-called white gold. As a rule, products made of an alloy of gold and palladium are displayed in separate windows and stand an order of magnitude higher than the usual jewelry in yellowish pinkish shades. Although the test on the products is the same.
But what about the numbers 958?
As for sample 958, it is quite difficult to find jewelry with it, since many things from this alloy simply do not. For example, you can buy a chain, but it will already have a lock from an alloy with another breakdown, but earrings or rings, bracelets from such an alloy are not made.
However, almost every jewelry store has jewelry that has inserts made of alloy 958. Sometimes sellers place this digital code on a plate in a display case.You must be very careful and be sure to look at the “passport” of the product before purchasing it. As a rule, the whole thing is made of alloy 585, and only a minor element corresponds to sample 958.