| Whether you are buying gold earrings as a gift or for | | | | Although diamonds are one of the strongest |
| yourself it is important to know the true value of the | | | | substances known to man, they can be split from |
| jewellery you are buying. The first thing to mention is | | | | specific angles. Skilled jewellers are able to set |
| the carat purity of the gold. This is the purity index | | | | diamonds in such a way that means none of these |
| used to evaluate the amount of gold in any piece of | | | | angles are exposed once the stone is in place. |
| gold jewellery. At the very bottom of the scale is 1ct. | | | | Another widely used gem is Peridot, this stone is |
| This means that for every milligram of gold, other | | | | vibrant green in colour and although Olivine (the |
| metals make up 23 milligrams. Normally jewellery | | | | constituent mineral) is a relatively abundant, gem quality |
| begins at 9ct purity. Gold plated jewellery can have a | | | | Peridot is quite rare. You may also find earrings set |
| carat value for the plating and different metals making | | | | with Opal. The majority of this mineral is produced in |
| up the bulk of the object. Any solid gold jewellery | | | | Australia. This gem can be found in a variety of |
| needs a hallmark to be sold in the United Kingdom but | | | | colours ranging from white to black. The most |
| the hallmark alone does not guarantee the jewellery is | | | | common being white and green while black and red is |
| gold. Silver and platinum jewellery also needs a | | | | the rarest. Amethyst is a precious type of quarts. |
| hallmark to be sold in the United Kingdom. A three digit | | | | Formed in volcanoes, these stones are generally violet |
| number should be engraved into the metal which | | | | but when exposed to heat they become yellow. |
| indicates its purity. These numbers range from 375, | | | | Modern production techniques mean that this stone |
| which is 9ct and 999 which is 24ct. | | | | can be manufactured as opposed to being mined. |
| Gold Earring Designs | | | | Distinguishing natural and manmade amethyst is very |
| Firstly, the classic hoop gold earrings are often too | | | | difficult. Another gem commonly used in earrings is |
| large to be made solid so they are hollowed out for | | | | Topaz, at its purest Topaz is transparent but often |
| comfort but the metal they are made from can still | | | | impurities give the stone a hue. Topaz is often |
| have high carat purity and this determines the price. | | | | processed to give it a particular colour. Rubies are also |
| Next is the classic tear drop shape gold earring. As | | | | used for earring decoration. Stones made from |
| opposed to hoop earrings these are normally smaller | | | | corundum which are not red are classified as sapphire. |
| and can be made from solid gold. When the main | | | | At the time of writing this article, a gram of pure gold |
| section of the earring is attached directly to the bar | | | | costs around £23-£24. You could expect to get a |
| which holds them in place, this is known as a stud | | | | set of 9ct solid gold earrings, set with Opal, Topaz or |
| earring. This design is also small enough to be made | | | | Amethyst for under £100 whereas rubies or |
| from solid gold and may be embellished with one or | | | | diamonds significantly change the price and depending |
| more precious stones. | | | | on their size and quality can account for upwards of |
| Gemstones for Gold Earrings | | | | £200. The carat mass of the gold used will also |
| Diamonds are a very popular stone to use for gold | | | | make a significant difference but remember to check |
| earrings. Depending on the carat mass of the diamond, | | | | if they are simply plated or solid gold. |
| the stone can account for the majority of the price. | | | | |