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1.
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The term solid gold means a piece is not hollow. It does not mean it is pure gold.
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2.
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Pure gold is 100 percent gold, also known as 24-karat gold, so soft that it is usually not used for jewelry.
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3.
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By law gold need not carry the karat marks that define its level of purity. But virtually all reputable stores sell only marked gold.
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4.
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The higher the karat rating the more pure the gold, the richer the color, and the softer the item.
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5.
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18 karat is 75 percent gold and is strong enough for rings. It is mixed with copper or silver and has a lemon-yellow color.
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6.
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14 karat is 58.3 percent gold and is very strong from added copper alloys. It has a light reddish color.
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7.
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10 karat is 41.6 percent gold. Anything less than 10-karat gold can not legally be called gold in the U.S..
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8.
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The absence of any karat markings may mean the piece is less than 10 karats.
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