What is 985 gold? The answer to this question is not so simple. Very often you can find a description that gold is 98.5% pure metal, and contains copper and silver in the alloy, but this is not entirely true. The fact is that in modern standard systems 985 gold does not exist, and the error is apparently caused by confusion with 958.
High quality gold ring
Sample 985 - what is it, metric and carat purity system
All over the world, fineness is considered an indicator of the quality of jewelry. Based on this indicator, you can determine the ratio of pure metal and additives.
985 gold standard means that 985 grams of pure metal and 15 grams of impurities are used per kilogram of the product.
Gold and silver jewelry
Since 985 has the same properties as 999 precious metal, its carat value is 24k. It is important to say that according to GOST it does not exist, and the mention of it is considered an error associated with the 958 sample.
Which sample is the highest?
The highest standard found on sale is 960, with a small amount of copper. The most expensive alloy is 999. There are no foreign inclusions in it. The soft material is subject to deformation, for this reason it is used only for solder in devices. Sold in bullion.
The remaining samples are evaluated as the volume of the ligature increases. The lower the marking number, the less value the item has. Some circumstances need to be taken into account when it comes to antiques. What matters here is not the sample itself, but the originality of the product itself and what century it belongs to. The earlier a thing was made, the higher its value.
The best standard of silver for jewelry is 925. Jewelry made from this alloy is whiter than others and more shiny. The color of lower quality metal is somewhat duller. High purity is not useful in all cases. Jewelers make locks for chains and bracelets from metal with a breakdown lower than the bracelet itself (720 or 750). This technique extends the life of the jewelry.
It is important to have an idea of what hallmark 925 silver looks like, as well as other hallmarks, where to look for hallmarks on a product, and how to determine its authenticity. The presence of a mark on impurities will allow you to understand where the item was made geographically, the name of the jeweler or the name of the enterprise, as well as what grade the silver item is marked with.
The price of a gram of 925 silver in Russia today is 45-120 rubles. The cost depends on the weight of the product, manufacturer, marking, silver valuation rate on international exchanges, and retail margins. It is best to focus on the average cost in pawn shops.
Composition and characteristics of 985 gold
985 standard is a noble metal that can be used for jewelry purposes. It consists of 98.5% pure gold, which makes the products quite valuable and expensive. However, such jewelry does not justify its cost due to the physical characteristics of pure precious metal:
- strength: characterized by high softness due to the low percentage of impurities, jewelry is fragile;
- density: heavy, its density is 19.32 g/cm³;
- fusibility: melts only at high temperatures, melting occurs at a temperature of 1064.18°C, boiling at 2856°C;
- thermal and electrical conductivity: high values of these characteristics make it possible to use the metal in microelectronics and radio engineering for coating contacts.
- inertness: reacts only with a small amount of alkaline solutions, dissolves with aqua regia, in other cases is not affected by the environment, maintaining its appearance;
- hypoallergenic: not capable of causing allergic reactions, except in cases where the alloy contains an admixture of nickel or other metals that cause allergies;
- antibacterial properties: it is believed that the material is capable of disinfecting and killing microbes, due to which ancient healers used it to treat infectious and skin diseases;
- colors of the highest standard: depend on the ratio of impurities, the presence of palladium gives a white tint, a larger amount of copper gives a red tint, copper and silver in equal parts form a pink color, a greenish tone can be obtained if the alloy contains only gold and silver.
Ring 985 sterling silver
What are they?
Silver samples are ranked based on the percentage of pure substance in the alloy - from 600 to 999. Silver in its pure form has a soft silvery tint, does not darken for a long time, and is easy to clean, but there are conditions that affect the appearance of the metal. This depends on the sample or on the volume of impurities included in the alloy.
Buyers are often concerned with the question - what standard can silver have? The hallmarking of Russian silver products occurs in accordance with accepted international standards. Copper is often added to the alloy, which interacts well with silver. If cadmium is added, the price of the manufactured item increases significantly. Nickel, zinc and aluminum can also be mixed with silver, but copper in the alloy is a classic.
How to determine the quality of silver? For example, jewelry marked 600 has a noticeable red tint due to the high copper content. Such things are at risk of rapid oxidation (silver does not oxidize on its own, but copper does).
Alloys 800, 830 are used to create souvenirs and cutlery. For jewelry, the most suitable ones are 875 and 925 (less often 960). The 925th standard indicates that per 1 kilogram of pure silver there are 75 g of impurities.
High-quality samples contain at least 916 g of silver per 1 kg of alloy. As a standard, sets are made from it, decorated with gilding or covered with enamel. 960 standard is often found on silver rings, earrings, pendants or chains. The properties of this alloy are practically not inferior to pure precious metal. A significant silver content gives things softness and ductility. Jewelry is sophisticated and spectacular, but requires careful handling and good care.
750 fineness indicates low quality silver, which is not considered a precious metal and is not even always marked. Things made from this alloy quickly oxidize and turn black, acquiring a characteristic yellowish tint. The alloy is used in the field of radio electronics in the manufacture of circuit boards and other parts.
There are hallmarks of 985 and even 625. The first of them belongs to the precious group, but is not often used. The second is considered low-grade and is extremely rare.
A lot of alloys are being created today; some manufacturers use their own samples, for example, TM Sunlight products are often marked Sl 926. Silver is also divided into types, the most famous of which are presented below.
Rhodinated
Rhodium plated silver is not an alloy. Rhodium plating is commonly called the technique of galvanic (electrolytic) coating. The surface of the product is covered with a thin (about 0.25 microns) layer of rare durable metal rhodium. Rhodium plating is most often used for high-quality items. Such decorations have obvious advantages:
- radiant shine - brighter than pure silver;
- resistance to damage and deformation;
- resists corrosion and discoloration.
Sterling
Sterling silver is an alloy of 925 standard, which is sold in all stores and from which the vast majority of jewelry is made. The name of this type of silver has its roots in British history. In the 12th century, by decree of King Henry II, such silver was used for stamping standard sterling.
Blackened
Like rhodium plated, blackened silver is a type of plated metal. Blackening is the coating of silver with an oxide film to simulate oxidation. The technique originated in Russia in the 17th century, thanks to which household items appeared decorated with miniature patterns.
In modern times, such silver is used to stylize antique jewelry. There are three types of blackening, differing in technology: chemical, galvanic and mechanical.
Filigree
Matte
Matting is achieved by creating microscopic roughness on the surface of silver. The process is carried out using a sandblasting machine. The rough surface cannot be polished; it is rarely used to frame stones. The glossy shine of silver is more suitable for gems.
Matte silver looks impressive next to shiny “classic” silver - in products like a double ring or a chain with alternating links. The matting technique is used to create geometric and floral patterns.
Leaf
Like gold leaf, it is used to cover objects with a continuous layer. Thin sheets of silver leaf are used for decoration in the interiors of temples and palaces. This metal has the highest standard. It is not suitable for covering domes, since it is not resistant to external influences, unlike gold, for example. Such metal needs additional coating.
Colloidal
Metal dispersion in the form of a suspension of nano- and microparticles is used in cosmetology and in alternative medicine procedures. So far, there is no confirmed evidence of the effectiveness of dispersed silver, and the results of experiments conducted with it are controversial. Colloidal silver is sold in solution as a dietary supplement (dietary supplement).
Dining room
Until 1927, Russia used the metric system. In the USSR, according to the standard, table silver was marked with 875 standard (84 according to the spool system). It is still used today, along with the 925, popular in Europe until the 20th century. Any coverage listed is now available. You can visit a jeweler if you want to treat your favorite silver spoon with rhodium to strengthen it or if it has become tarnished.
Technical
The phrase “technical silver” is ambiguous. Technical scrap is radio engineering scrap and metal used in electronics (for contacts), electrics (in wires), and photographic equipment (for x-rays). This is inert silver of high standard, not refractory and flexible, with good electrical and thermal conductivity.
In Russia
All ligature inclusions in silver alloys have different percentages. Some consider 5-12% additives sufficient, while other jewelers add up to 50% alloys to the precious metal. Jewelers in Russia work with silver starting from the 720th standard. Containers for spices, drinks, oils, cutlery and other kitchen items are made from the 800-grade alloy. Such products require good regular care. Silver of 875 standard is defined as low-grade.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the royal silver with the hallmark of 84 samples. Nowadays it is virtually never found, except in family sets, museum exhibitions, antique shops and flea markets. Silver of 84 standard was in use in pre-revolutionary Russia. Back then they used a spool measurement system.
In the world
There are different types of silver. In developing countries, the use of 600 is allowed. The 800th sample is considered minimally acceptable. In the rest of the world there is a much richer assortment: in Europe the 800th, 916th and 925th are in use. But there are also special hallmarks, for example, in Egypt it is 600, and in China they reverence silver with virtually no additives.
In the Far Eastern countries and Japan, there are silver items with the highest standard mark - 1000. Local residents attribute mystical powers to the metal, believing that it has a connection with the Moon. In addition to the samples described above, there are others in the world, but the listed options are the most popular among jewelers.
Alloys are also distinguished by systems, which differ in different countries: in the USA and Canada - carat, in the old days - spool (for example, 960-carat silver is defined as 92sf). There are other types of alloys:
- 750 – silver with a high copper content, prone to darkening very quickly;
- 720 and below - refers to non-precious silver, with a yellowish tint, used in industry due to its high electrical conductivity.
There are also such rare types of silver samples:
- 325 - Tibetan silver, previously classified as a high-quality alloy, was used to make jewelry, now the composition may not contain precious metals at all; counterfeits are often created from the alloy;
- 500 - an alloy containing a low proportion of silver, coins were previously minted from it;
- 525, 585, 625 – silver with the addition of gold, gilded silver;
- 825 is a non-existent standard that is often used by scammers on products;
- 835, 800 and 900 are silver alloys that are used in Germany;
- 916 is a popular sample of Soviet times with a barrel stamp; the alloy was used for tableware and ritual items.
Silver is a noble metal characterized by high ductility. Products made from it do not rust or oxidize. Due to the fact that silver is very soft, other metals are added to it to make jewelry and tableware, this prevents the products from deforming. To regulate the amount of impurities, and also to ensure that the buyer is confident in the quality of the purchase, the concept of “sample” arose.
Ring, hallmark on 925 silver
Buyers are often interested in the question of what grade silver is. Russian silver products meet international standards when assayed. Copper is most often added to jewelry - the metals interact well with each other. If jewelers add cadmium to a piece of jewelry, its price increases noticeably.
The benefits of 985 gold
- Jewelry industry. Gold 985 is practically not used by jewelers due to its excessive softness. It is used to create decorative elements for jewelry. There are wedding rings of massive sizes. Then the strength indicator increases due to mass.
- Prosthetics in dentistry. Due to its chemical neutrality, the metal is used in the manufacture of dental crowns or other orthopedic implants.
- Manufacturing of electronic filling. It is customary to coat contacts and wires of computer parts, telephones, and other equipment with precious metals.
- Chemical industry. The metal is used to coat other natural materials and act as a catalyst.
- Investment activities. In some cases, 985 gold can be used to make bank bars and collectible coins.
How to profitably invest in gold of the highest standard and realize gold savings
Gold itself does not bring profit as an investment vehicle, but it plays the role of an insurance mechanism in the event of a crisis. The gold rate is consistently high. This means that there are several reasons why it is still worth investing in high-grade metal:
- All over the world, a country's gold reserves are a kind of protection against a crisis. It is important to buy not the gold bars and coins themselves, but securities. The buyer cannot touch his wealth, but it is recorded by the system. Compulsory medical insurance, mutual funds and ETFs are a kind of stock exchanges where you can buy and sell your share, regardless of time. Each of them has its own characteristics and risks.
- Gold bars, jewelry, coins as a defense mechanism against military action:
- Most often, people buy jewelry that is in the public domain today. However, such investment is not always able to bring profit or at least return the invested funds.
- Buying bullion seems like a profitable investment, but there are also nuances and risks. When selling, the buyer will receive at least 20% (VAT rate included in the purchase price) less than what he invested. It is worth investing if you have large sums of money and the ability to store bullion for a long time. Banks offer such services.
- Collectible coins sometimes bring profit. To stay in the black, it is important to purchase coins whose prices will rise over time. The information is held by specialists in the banking sector.
- Accumulation of gold to insure your own business against market disasters. There are no guarantees of stable profits. Gold often fluctuates slightly in value, and there is even a risk of losing a little, but the rate has an upward trend. The metal does not depreciate in value, being a stable, physical asset in any crisis, providing a protective mechanism for the economy in the event of hostilities.
Where is 985 sample found on sale?
Today, not a single store offers its customers items made of 985 gold. This means that you can buy them from jewelers by making custom-made jewelry. Even a pawnshop rarely buys such products, due to the official lack of sample.
It is much more common to find the 985 mark on vintage antique jewelry, such as wedding rings. As a rule, they are distinguished by their massiveness, weight more than 8g, and bright unusual yellow color. During the time of the Russian Empire, it was fashionable to use pure precious metal to produce pendants and holiday pendants for members of the nobility.
Men's wedding ring: historical facts and reality
If in the jewelry box of any girl or woman you can find many rings of different designs, made of gold, silver and platinum, then most men prefer to wear only a wedding ring . Therefore, the choice of jewelry is approached with the utmost scrupulousness. The ring should be stylish, suitable for everyday wear and going out, and consistent with the image of a young man.
Few people know, but men's rings appeared much earlier than women's. Archaeological excavations have uncovered rings dating back thousands of years . These were items made of stone and bone that ancient hunters wore to attract good luck. The first gold men's jewelry appeared in Ancient Egypt. They were made of gold, decorated with various stones and cuttings. Only persons of the highest rank were allowed to wear such rings. Commoners were content with copper rings.
Time has passed, but men’s craving for beauty remains
A man's wedding ring can be an exact copy of the women's version or be an exclusive piece of jewelry, only resembling the pair's version in some nuances. Literally ten to twenty years ago there were no plans for any kind of luxury for a men’s jewelry accessory. Men wore traditional smooth wedding rings in the standard yellow color. Interspersed with stones, engraving and other design elements were not in fashion or simply inaccessible to a person with an average level of income.
Today there are no standards or restrictions in choosing men's jewelry for a wedding. The list of such models includes rings made of white, red, yellow and rose gold, with engraving and inlay, colored enamel and openwork. And this is just the beginning of an endless list of options for designing and making stylish men's wedding rings.
Gold ring made of white gold, Pushkin Jewelry Factory (price on the link)
How not to run into a fake
When you want to purchase a special piece of jewelry with a high content of pure gold, you need to remember that regular jewelry stores do not sell them. That is, there is no way to guarantee the authenticity of the purchase.
You can find the desired product in a thrift store or pawnshop, but the mark on it will differ from modern marking symbols. The name tag will contain the number 23 and the letter symbol of the country of origin. This is due to the fact that these goods were brought from other countries where the 985 precious metal is used officially. The color of the products remains unnaturally yellow.
Depending on the composition of the ligature, a faint white, green, red or pink tint may be present.
Fake branded gold bars
When choosing rare jewelry, it is important to consider:
- the product must contain a mark with a carat designation;
- such items can be high-quality imitation;
- gold is always accompanied by certificates containing information about the product, country of origin, etc.
You can also always get advice from a specialist to find out which simple method is best to use to recognize a fake.
Tips for choosing gold jewelry
A few tips that will come in handy when choosing jewelry:
- presence of a mark;
- jewelry less than 375 standard - costume jewelry;
- The tag indicates basic information about the product.
An important factor is the store where you purchase jewelry. He must have the appropriate license and certificates for the goods offered.
The relevance of these tips is explained by the fact that there are many scammers in the gold market, so be careful and careful when buying jewelry.
Tips for caring for precious metals at home
985 gold standard requires special care to maintain its properties and appearance. It is important to consider the following nuances:
- Such products are not suitable for everyday wear; proper separate storage is required. For example, a gold pendant and a chain should be separated from each other to avoid damage upon contact.
- Any jewelry does not tolerate contact with chemicals well, pure gold is no exception. Despite its inertness, metal can lose its attractive appearance and shine when in contact with household products.
- High quality jewelry cannot be cleaned at home. It is best to use ultrasonic cleaning, which eliminates mechanical influence on the product. This type of care should be performed exclusively by a master.
- Fine gold is sensitive to atmospheric changes. Wearing products in hot or frosty weather can cause them to crack and become damaged.
Category: question-answer
Is there 985 silver?
Expert opinion
Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich
Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop
Officially, there is no 985 silver standard in Russia; the price per gram of such a product is not regulated anywhere. A high-quality silver jewelry hallmark is considered to be 925. The minimum hallmark for jewelry is 800; all others are considered technical silver.
Why is there no jewelry made of pure gold?
Expert opinion
Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich
Jeweler 6th category
Such products do not justify their cost due to their strong softness; they can literally be cut with a knife. Pure gold can be used to make decorative elements for jewelry. Jewelers often use 985 gold when making custom jewelry.
Is 985 silver good or not?
Expert opinion
Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich
Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop
Since 985 silver is not officially used anywhere, it is impossible to reliably assess its properties.
Application of high-grade alloys
In 1711, during the reign of Peter I, gold coins began to be minted. They were called “chervonets” and were made from the minimum allowable sample for high-grade alloys - 980, which corresponded to 94 spools.
Since 1701, another alloy has been used for minting gold coins - 93 spool, or 969 standard. The coin weighed just over 3.5 grams and contained a portrait of the king. Also in Tsarist Russia, alloys of this quality were often used to make jewelry. Rich people used it to make wedding rings.
In the metric system, the purest gold from which jewelry is made has a purity of 958. It is rarely used for jewelry work, since the products have the same disadvantages as pure gold; they are extremely inconvenient to use and wear. Mainly used for casting massive wedding rings. This alloy contains silver and copper in the alloy. Its color is the same as that of other high-grade alloys and pure gold; in addition, it may differ slightly in shade, but so slightly that it may not be noticeable. Although, according to spectrograph measurements, this alloy has the highest color saturation.
