The composition of 500 fine gold contains about 50% pure gold, the rest is silver and copper, in various proportions. The 500th grade is a low-grade alloy with low characteristics and has a number of disadvantages:
- The color of products is highly dependent on the percentage of silver contained.
- Low fluidity (hardness, ease of manufacturing and soldering of jewelry).
Among the positive qualities, one can note the rarity of the color range of products made from 500 samples, since the narrow popularity of the alloy makes it unique in the eyes of connoisseurs and jewelers.
What kind of sample is this
Gold, as a precious metal, is found only in the form of bars. It is not used for making jewelry due to its high ductility.
To give density and wear resistance, the metal is alloyed with stronger components - zinc, copper, platinum and silver. The ratio of the number of grams of pure gold per kilogram of alloy determines the specific sample.
500-carat gold has a unique marking – ZlSrM 500–100 and a designation in the form of GOST 30649-99.
Composition and properties
500 in the metric system means the number of milligrams of gold per 1 gram of the total mass of the alloy. The silver content in the composition is from 95 to 105 units, copper – 395–405 units. Possible trace amounts of iron and lead.
The proportions of the metal elements determine specific characteristics that indicate the ability of the gold composition to form high-quality castings.
Strength
500-carat gold has low casting properties: the alloy is porous and low in strength due to the significant crystallization interval.
Alloy shade chart
Depending on the ratio of copper and silver in the alloy, the color of 500-carat gold varies from light yellow to orange-red.
Table 1. Shades of 500 gold
| Alloy color | Gold, % | Copper, % | Silver, % |
| Light yellow | 50 | 16,7 | 33,3 |
| Dark yellow | 50 | 33,3 | 16,7 |
| Orange-red | 50 | 42,9 | 7,1 |
The higher the silver content in the alloy, the lighter the products. The predominance of copper in the composition reveals a characteristic red tint.
Brand
A special state sign in the form of a symbol confirming the compliance of the sample with the qualitative composition of the alloy. The hallmark is usually indicated on the inside of the jewelry next to the hallmark. Every country in the world has a single approved sample of the hallmark, which is affixed to all gold products that have passed the test.
How many carats are in this sample?
In the international carat system, gold of the 500th standard corresponds to 12 carats. In Europe, 12 karat alloy is used not only for marking 500, but also for gilding. If the letters FG are indicated next to 12K in the name, then the product is coated with only a thin layer of 500-m alloy.
Green gold
Contrary to what many consumers believe, green gold is not some rare valuable metal that is mined using an exceptional method and costs a lot of money for it.
Any colored gold (and we remember that classic aurum is yellow) is a consumer alloy that has different decorative value depending on the impurities.
For example, green gold implies a combination of aurum and argentum (silver). This alloy was known in ancient times, and different proportions were used (75 gold to 25 silver, 58 to 38 + copper, etc.).
Green gold looks unusual, but is distinguished by its fragility and brittleness, the reason for which is silver. Its price is significantly less than the classic yellow and white, which is obtained with the addition of platinum rather than silver.
Application of this alloy
In Russia and the countries of the former CIS, jewelers often neglect 500-carat gold for making jewelry, but abroad such gold is very valuable. Jewelers give different shades to products by changing the proportions of copper and silver in the composition.
This makes it relevant when used as gilding on silver items, cufflinks, cigarette cases, brooches, stationery and other products. Jewelry of the 500th standard is rare, but this makes it all the more valuable for individual collectors.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of 500-carat gold include:
- low price per 1 gram;
- uniform distribution of secondary components - copper and silver - in the alloy;
- the ability to give products different shades by changing the proportions of copper and silver up and down.
Disadvantages of the alloy:
- the material is difficult to process due to its low level of flexibility and ductility;
- high porosity, which over time affects the appearance of products;
- unstable to water, chemicals, mechanical influences: subject to darkening in the absence of care, loss of shine.
Blue gold
Another type of consumer gold, the exquisite color of which is obtained after applying rhodium plating (cheap in itself) or adding cobalt to the alloy.
The author of the technology is jeweler Antoniassi from Argentina. Also an important component of blue gold is iron (steel), and the alloy is formed in a ratio of 3 to 1 or 2 to 1. Accordingly, an alloy of 72 and 62 samples is obtained.
Based on the size of the sample, you can judge that the price of gold mixed with steel cannot be high; on the contrary, it is one of the cheapest and is not always considered a precious metal.
Where can you buy or sell
Large Russian jewelry stores do not carry 500-carat gold jewelry. Products can be purchased at specialized auctions, pawn shops, and private workshops.
You can sell jewelry in pawn shops and jewelry auctions. On such sites you can post a photo and sell the product at a higher price.
How much does 1 gram of gold of this standard cost today?
On average in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, the price for 1 gram of 500-carat gold starts from 2,500 rubles. If you want to sell jewelry in a pawnshop, then for 1 gram you can get 600–800 rubles.
This is 2 times cheaper than when selling the most popular 585 precious metal. You can try your luck at online auctions, where a collector will like your jewelry and buy it at a much higher price than pawn shops offer.
Recommendations for care, cleaning and storage
Key features that allow you to preserve the original appearance of gold products for a long time include:
- neat wear;
- proper storage;
- timely removal of contaminants.
Avoid mechanical damage, contact with water, alkaline detergents, compounds containing iodine and chlorine of 500-carat gold products.
Before applying creams and ointments, especially those containing mercury, you need to remove jewelry. The same is recommended when performing household chores, cosmetic or medical procedures, or during sports activities.
You can clean gold jewelry only with special wipes and solutions. In jewelry workshops you can order professional and safe metal cleaning, which will remove any contamination.
Jewelry with inserts made of precious stones requires especially careful wear and care. Each gem has its own care recommendations. All stones, without exception, must be protected from shock and abrasion. Some of them lose their appearance from ultraviolet radiation, while others suffer from moisture.
Why does 500-carat gold darken?
Based on the fact that 500 gold contains a high concentration of copper in its composition, it is highly susceptible to oxidation. The main problems of gold of this sample:
- High degree and rate of oxidation;
- Loss of color;
- Lack of wear resistance.
Since this gold is practically not used as jewelry, problems with wearing it on the body may also not arise. However, do not forget that the high copper content in 500 gold alloy can negatively affect human skin, as it leaves behind unpleasant black marks. In addition, gold of this standard does not interact well with various detergents, which is why if you have a ring of this standard, you should use household chemicals with gloves. Otherwise, your jewelry may quickly lose its beauty, color and shine. If you have accessories of this type, over time they may also lose their original appearance if they are not properly cared for.
How to clean a product made from such an alloy yourself
Cleaning items or jewelry made of 500 fineness is not so easy, and simple methods of wiping the item with a woolen rag or soda solution are not enough. There are several ways to clean this type of gold or the gold product that is made from it from contamination or oxidation.
For the first method, you will need a solution of ammonia with warm water and a small amount of washing powder. You can definitely find all the necessary ingredients at home, since these are substances that are in demand in the household. To clean your product, you will need to regularly place it in this solution. It is important that the product is not in the solution for more than 2 hours. After completing the procedure, it is enough to rinse it under running cold water.
For the second method, you will also need some home remedies such as ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, warm water and liquid water. You need to do the same procedure with this solution.
Tips for choosing gold jewelry
When choosing jewelry, it is important to decide for what occasion it should be suitable: for a wedding, an official or work occasion. If you are choosing a gift for a loved one, it is very important to know his taste. The range of products is huge, as is the range of prices.
4 tips for choosing gold jewelry:
- pay attention to the mark on the inside of the jewelry. Next to it there should be a stamp confirming the authenticity of the sample in accordance with the qualitative composition of the metal. Each country has its own symbols. If it is a Russian manufacturer, then the stamp will be in the form of a lady in a kokoshnik in the right profile. If the jewelry was made in the USSR, then its authenticity is confirmed by the characteristic image of a star and a hammer and sickle;
- make sure you have a sample. The mark can be anything from 750 to 333. Samples below the extreme mark are placed on costume jewelry;
- eliminate unevenness and abrasions. If it is a worn or antique ring, then this type is acceptable. However, if you notice scratches or an uneven cut on a piece of jewelry from a jewelry store, this may indicate a low-quality alloy or even a fake;
- exclude fake. After checking the sample, the presence of a mark and assessing the general appearance, examine the product tag. It must contain all the information about weight, sample, manufacturer, name, composition and cost.
What standard of gold is considered the best?
Depends on what the noble metal will be used for. For the manufacture of rings, earrings, bracelets and other jewelry, 585 and 750 gold are most suitable, as they will provide the product with the necessary strength and spectacular appearance.
For fine jewelry work, you can use 916 gold, however, provided that the elements made from this alloy are not subject to constant stress and wear. Of course, pure 999 gold is the purest and most expensive, but it is practically useless for jewelry and is used primarily as an investment tool.
Reviews
What do they say online about the 500th purity of gold? Most of the reviews are negative, which is easily explained.
If you have any doubts whether the price of the jewelry corresponds to the declared marking, it is better to contact not one appraiser, but several, and compare their opinions. Parts of the same factory jewelry cannot be of different samples, or it is a low-quality product.
Alas, the 500th sample often appears in angry reviews of stores.
What can I say? Be vigilant, check the certificates for a bracelet, chain or ring as much as possible, and if in doubt, postpone the purchase.
How to distinguish 500 sample from a fake
This product is not particularly different in authenticity testing methods from other gold samples. They are all checked using almost the same methods. Since this material has a fairly high concentration of copper, it is quite easy to determine it simply by biting your teeth; this product, in combination with silver, gold and copper, should not bend under a light bite. This will be a guarantee that this product is genuine and they are not trying to deceive you. If, however, it bends or a small dent appears, they are trying to deceive you.
Well, a simple test using a ceramic product, cup or plate. You just need to lightly rub the gold item along the bottom of the cup and you will see a yellow mark, which means that this is a real item. In cases of fake, the trace will be black or gray.
