All about 583 karat gold (stamp with a star): what kind of alloy it is, quality and price today

In the last two decades, when the jewelry market has been flooded with low-quality products, an increasing number of citizens are seeking to purchase, if not new, products that comply with established standards. The 583 standard of gold causes bewilderment among some ordinary people, while among others it causes approval and the desire to make a successful and profitable purchase. And the whole point is that today 583 is a high-quality standard of jewelry made during the years of the Soviet Union and, as they say, conscientiously.

Almost every family still has jewelry from that time, and it is now passed on from generation to generation. If such products are put up for sale in a pawnshop, they are quickly taken apart by nostalgic citizens not only of our country, but also of other related states. What is so special about Soviet gold and why is it so valued today?

What kind of sample is this

Alloys are used to make jewelry. Their value is determined by the quantitative ratio of pure gold to the remaining components (ligature) and is expressed in the sample, which is applied to the finished product by branding.

In 1927, in connection with the transition of the sampling system from spool (as in Tsarist Russia) to metric, sample 583 was approved. In recalculation, it corresponds to the previous value of 56 spools. A stamp with the number 583 indicates that in one kilogram of this alloy there are 583 grams - gold in chemically pure form.

Why was the 583 sample replaced with 585

After the collapse of the USSR, in connection with the entry of a new country into world markets, it became necessary to bring the quality of goods into line with international standards. The international community refused to recognize 583 gold, since when converted from the metric to the carat system, the final value is 13.9 carats instead of the required 14.

In addition, the permissible deviation from the norm (remedium) is +/- 0.3%. This meant that the chemically pure gold content could range from 586 to 580 grams per kilogram. Therefore, in accordance with market requirements, a new standard was established in 1994 - 585 alloy.

Composition and properties

In the industrial production of the 583 alloy, a three-component composition with high strength, ductility and ease of use was used, including 33.5% copper and 8% silver. It was the high copper content that gave the metal a noble color with a distinct red tint - such gold was called red gold by analogy with the royal chervonets, which were minted from an alloy of gold and copper and had a similar color.

Strength

Using chemically pure precious metal to make jewelry is impractical, as it is too soft a material. Any thing made of 999 gold will very quickly lose its attractiveness and shine.

In the form of an alloy, gold has much greater strength and resistance to deformation and wear. With proper care, such a piece of jewelry can be passed down from generation to generation as a family heirloom without losing its presentability.

Shades and alloys

The color of the alloy changed depending on the proportions and what metals were contained in the alloy - from greenish-yellow to pink, so products with the same purity could have different shades. Based on this property, jewelers willingly experimented with the composition of the ligature in order to achieve especially successful color schemes and properties of the finished product. The table below lists the main types of gold and their shades.

Alloy shade chart

Brand

Simultaneously with the transition to the metric testing system for precious metals, the approved type of mark also changed. The woman's head in the kokoshnik was replaced with the profile of a worker with a hammer. On June 1, 1958, a five-pointed Soviet star appeared on the stamp. In 1994, the circle was closed and today modern jewelry is again branded with a female profile with a crown.

Expert opinion

Vsevolod Kozlovsky

6 years in jewelry making. Knows everything about samples and can identify a fake in 12 seconds

A brand is a way to protect an expensive item from counterfeits. A handmade mark, as a rule, was noticeably different in quality from the marks that were put on gold by the experts of the assay office. It consisted of the letter designation of the department that carried out the inspection, an image of a star and a sample.

How many carats are in this sample?

Any sampling system shows how many parts of a chemically pure metal the alloy contains; the only difference is in the units of measurement - kilogram, pound or carat. You can convert the sample value from the metric system to carat or spool using a conversion table.

A little history

The appearance of gold with a mark of 583 dates back to 1927. It was then that the first product was released with an assay mark applied to it, depicting a worker’s head, a hammer and the number 583. And although the USSR established its own standards and standards, in relation to gold the European carat system was borrowed, which equated pure gold to 24 carats or 1000th sample

The standard in Europe was 14 carats, which translated into fineness amounted to 14/24*1000=583.333.

The resulting number was rounded to whole numbers according to mathematical rules and the number 583 was obtained.

In 1958, the first mark was replaced by a five-pointed star with a hammer and sickle. And in 1991, the transition began from 583 to 585 samples, in accordance with European standards. Products of this period were marked with new-style stamps (with a woman in a kokoshnik) or with old-style stamps, where 583 or 585 stood next to the star. And only by 1995, new GOSTs were adopted in the country, as a result of which 583 gold was no longer produced.

How is it different from 585 gold?

These alloys differ in their content of precious metal, although only by two tenths of a percent. Considering the remedium (permissible deviation) of 0.3%, the difference can either increase or disappear, so the difference is negligible. There is no noticeable difference in the strength and durability of identical gold products of 585 and 583 samples, but their cost will vary.

583 or 585 – which is better?

In fact, sample 583 has lost its relevance. Gold alloys of this purity are no longer used in jewelry making. But some collectors are ready to offer higher prices for Soviet-era items, as for antiques.

My personal example is the opposite: when I handed over a 583-carat piece to a jeweler, he was very reluctant to accept such jewelry from me.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the advantages are:

1. Rarity and lack of mass production. Every day their price in purchases and pawn shops is becoming higher.
2. Durable and scratch resistant. A bracelet, earrings or ring will last a long time and can become a wonderful family heirloom.

Flaws:

1. Inability to buy in a store. Where else you can find 583 samples is in antique shops. If you wish, you can buy such gold from your own hands.
2. Outdated style. Most 583 jewelry has long gone out of fashion and lost relevance, and it is not known whether it will be in trend again. However, this strangely does not affect the price.

Scope of application of this alloy

Due to its properties - strength, ductility, easy soldering, scratch resistance, this gold alloy has found wide application in the manufacture of jewelry intended for everyday use. Our grandmothers still wear, without removing, their favorite pendants, earrings or wedding rings, which are decorated with a sample with a star.

Features of 583 gold products

Soviet products are in great demand, considering how much gold 583 costs compared to 585. In addition, a significant role is played by how high-quality and wear-resistant the jewelry is, even when worn every day. And although their appearance is somewhat outdated due to the lack of a diamond cutting, which gives shine, beautiful filigree, large stones and a pleasant red color make the jewelry unique.

The 583 alloy easily takes the desired shape and does not oxidize.

Owners of old jewelry often turn to jewelers with a request to remake them, not wanting to purchase anything from modern factories. Moreover, Western consumers began to appear among fans of 583, appreciating the properties of this sample.

Today, many stores display Soviet jewelry in their windows. Among ladies, gold earrings of 583 standard USSR with large red corundums or diamonds are popular. Men are looking at rings and chains, and for children they are purchasing pendants and small earrings with a loop clasp.

What is the difference between 583 sample and 585

It is impossible not to mention the existing differences between samples, some of which cannot be seen with the naked eye:

1. The first of these is the chemical composition of the alloy: 583 samples may contain 0.2–0.5% less pure gold than 585. This takes into account the remedium, which also sometimes gives a difference of 0.1% in the direction of exceeding the amount precious metal.
2. The second difference is the appearance of the gold alloy. Products of the Soviet era have a pronounced reddish tint, massiveness and weight.
3. Third is the price for sale in stores. The cost of 583 gold, of course, is significantly lower than that of its modern counterpart, which makes it accessible to a wide range of consumers.

How much does 1 gram of 583 gold cost in rubles today?

The price of gold directly depends on the world price and stock exchange quotes. The trend of the last decade has been a gradual increase in its value with minor fluctuations. But the current price is constantly changing. You can get up-to-date information on stock quotes here:

You can find out the current market value of gold daily from the interactive table on our website:

What does the price consist of?

The price of gold, like any other product, is determined by the ratio of supply and demand. The higher the demand, the more expensive it is; the more supply, the cheaper. If it comes to jewelry, then you will be offered to buy the item at the price of scrap: in this case, the content of pure gold in the product in grams is calculated and the market purchase rate is used.

Where can you buy or sell

The main place for buying and selling such products is the pawnshop. In 2019-2020 items are purchased like gold at a price of 1.4 thousand rubles. per gram.

However, in pawnshop windows, jewelry will be displayed with a markup of 40–75%, so buying a pendant or other jewelry is cheaper than 2 thousand rubles. for a gram it’s unlikely to work there. Sellers sometimes reduce the price of hefty items in order to sell them faster, but you'll have to look hard for good deals.

If you don’t want to go to a pawn shop, another option is to sell or buy through an ad on the Internet. But when buying 583 gold, remember that you are not just purchasing a used item.

The accessory had been worn for at least about 30 years, and it could have lost its former strength, bent and scratched. And be sure to check the metal for authenticity. If the price is too low or, conversely, high, this should alert you.

Recommendations for care and cleaning

Whenever it gets dirty, the jewelry needs to be cleaned. This service is provided by jewelry workshops. You can carry out the procedure yourself, without much risk of ruining the item. Some tips for caring for gold:

• Add 5 ml to a glass of boiled water. ammonia and a tablespoon of washing powder or dishwashing detergent. Dip the object into the resulting solution, leave for 2 hours, then rinse with clean water.
• Take a glass of water, dissolve 3 tablespoons of salt, put the product in it, leave for 12 hours, rinse with water.
• Line the bottom of a small ceramic container with food foil, pour a glass of boiled water with two tablespoons of soda dissolved in it. Place the jewelry in, leave for 12 hours, then rinse with water and wipe with a lint-free cloth.

Does gold darken

Gold jewelry of 583 and 585 samples, made without violating technology and not exposed to aggressive environments, does not darken. Jewelry should be protected from iodine, mercury, and liquids with a high content of acetone and chlorine. If such a situation occurs and the gold has oxidized for no apparent reason, then this is a reason to take it for inspection.

Why do gold items turn your fingers black?

If the issue is not the poor quality of the ring, then there may be several reasons:

1. This is a new item, and it is quite possible that there are residues of polishing paste on it, which caused the darkening on the leather. Over time, the problem will disappear on its own.
2. Using hand cosmetics whose components lead to metal oxidation. In this case, changing the cream or avoiding contact of the product used with the rings will help.

Appearance of gold streaks

The sudden appearance of marks from a gold ring on your hand may be a signal of changes in the body. There are no facts confirming the presence of the disease in such a situation, but if suddenly, for no apparent reason, your favorite ring began to leave a noticeable mark, then why not get examined. It definitely won't get any worse.

Chemical composition

The numerical indicator of the hallmark indicates the actual content of precious metal in the alloy from which jewelry is made. This is the main factor that determines the price per gram of the finished product for any sample. But since it is very difficult to achieve an absolutely exact amount of precious metal in the alloy, a permissible deviation (remedium) from the normal value of +3/-3 was accepted.

In the country of the Soviets, the main values ​​of a product have always been reliability and quality. Therefore, the composition of the ligature (additive to gold) was selected in such a way that the jewelry would be quite hard, less susceptible to deformation and capable of maintaining its original appearance for a long time.

The color of the alloy depends on the percentage of metals in the alloy mass, according to which 583 gold can have the following composition:

It is the metals (in their pure form, without impurities) of the alloy mass that give the alloy the specified properties. Without a ligature, the products will be fragile, since gold itself is quite soft, not very suitable for making jewelry.

Reviews

Anastasia:

I got very beautiful earrings from my grandmother, I often receive compliments, several times they offered to sell them for a good price, and no one ever asked about the sample.

Vladimir:

I was selling two chains, which to me were absolutely identical in both appearance and weight. The buyer paid two hundred rubles less for one and said sample 583 was cheaper.

Olga:

I wanted to sell a ring, massive, pre-war work. Mother said that the ring contains a stone of very high quality, a young ruby. I wanted to sell it to an antique dealer, but he considered it scrap, and even cheaper than the market value for the sample, and didn’t even mention the stone.