Russia has a metric system for assessing the purity of precious alloys. Thanks to this, a sample is determined that corresponds to the weight content of the noble metal, which is the main one in the composition. The greater the quantity, the higher the value of the products. An example is 958 gold.
The alloy differs from the most common ones (585, 750), it also has advantages and disadvantages. They should be taken into account when choosing finished products; the physical properties of the material are also taken into account. The length of use of the precious metal and its external qualities depend on how well they meet operating conditions.
958 gold: composition, what the alloy is called, its properties
Metal marked 958 is considered high grade. Considering that the percentage is not a whole number (95.8%), the number is rounded. This is how the second name of the metal appeared - 96 samples. In fact, the mark contains other numbers. 96 standard does not apply to any of the world's systems for assessing the purity of precious metals.
Pure gold is known for its softness. It is easy to grind, but it is impossible to obtain a product of complex shape.
The situation changes when additives are added to the composition:
- copper: 1.2-2.4%;
- silver: 1.7-2.3%.
Areas of application of this alloy
The high degree of ductility limits the use of the alloy for jewelry. The purpose of grade 958 according to GOST is the production of wedding rings. They were popular in the USSR - massive, large: more than 2 mm thick and 4 mm high.
Now such rings are not produced for mass sale; they can only be made to order. In eastern countries, India, China, this brand is more popular.
958 standard is used to make gold leaf, which is a plate no more than 2 microns thick. It is used to cover various things, which after processing become luxury items. The master chooses places that are less exposed to mechanical stress, otherwise the treated surface will quickly lose its presentable appearance.
Table: impurities and shade range
The color of the gold alloy is always the same, because... the metal contains a small amount of alloys. Even changing their ratio does not have a significant effect on the tone of the material. To understand how much additives can change the color of a precious metal, you can study the table:
| Color | Au75% | Au75% | Au 58.5% | Au 58.5% |
| Ag,% | Cu,% | Ag,% | Cu,% | |
| Green | 25 | — | 30 | 1,5 |
| Red | 4 | 21 | 8 | 33,5 |
| Yellow | 17 | 8 | 18,75 | 22,75 |
| Pink | 12,5 | 12,5 | 9 | 32,5 |
Shades of gold
Areas of application during the USSR and now
Previously, alloy 958 was not used everywhere. It was used mainly in the production of certain types of products. Created:
- wedding rings;
- decorative inserts.
Today, the gold alloy also does not have a narrow scope of application. It is almost never found on the open market. Most often, products are created to order. Main areas of application:
- production of thin coatings from gold leaf;
- cooking;
- furniture finishing;
- decorative inserts and entire jewelry that have little contact with the skin, which reduces the intensity of wear.
Precious jewelry from Soviet times
Principles for choosing gold jewelry
Any purchase is made for a specific purpose. Gold jewelry also implies its use: it will be worn for going out, in everyday life, or it is intended for a gift. The answer to this question will help you make the right choice.
- For every day, it is better to choose jewelry made of red metal, based on cost and durability. This accessory is especially suitable for older ladies: it will emphasize sedateness and nobility, and rejuvenate the skin.
- Yellow gold is expensive, so it is intended for special occasions and social gatherings. Products are subject to deformation, and repairs are expensive.
- When choosing a gold watch with inlay, it is better to look at the product made of metal in red shades. They will serve the owner for a long time and will look beautiful and elegant.
- The wedding ring includes the color yellow, which symbolizes fidelity and strength of the relationship. However, young couples often opt for white products.
- Lovers of exotic accessories should stop at the shelf with the red variety, as there you can see the most bizarre shapes: leaves, curls.
Reaction of 958 sample to gold chloride
To verify the authenticity of a precious metal, aggressive materials are sometimes used. Among them is gold chloride. Upon contact with it, the precious metal changes color. But if the composition includes a significant proportion of Au, the nature of the spots will be different than in cases where this component is not contained in the alloy.
If gold is present, lighter traces remain. The smaller it is, the darker the spots.
Reagents for gold
Advantages and disadvantages
The limited use of the alloy is due to its physical properties and cost:
- high price;
- Only massive decorations are possible, otherwise it will be too fragile;
- rapid appearance of scratches and abrasions;
- Not recommended for everyday wear.
The high cost is explained not only by the expensive material, but also by their massiveness - their weight is usually greater than that of analogues of other types.
Despite all its shortcomings, this sample continues to be used in jewelry to create custom items. What attracts people:
- prestige;
- products of the 958 brand do not oxidize and do not cause allergies;
- the color is close to natural golden shine;
- The relevance of investing in precious things is actively manifesting itself after financial crises in the country and the world.
Pros and cons of 958 samples
If you need to buy a finished product with a high gold content, you should take into account the advantages and disadvantages of this metal, so as not to regret the purchase later.
The advantages of precious metal 958 include:
• high value;
• prestige;
• low risk of developing allergies;
• metal does not oxidize, because they contain few additives;
• Gold alloy is being considered as an investment option.
In addition, the noble metal also has disadvantages. Among them, the more significant ones are noted:
• receive massive jewelry;
• there is no possibility to change the color of the product; even rearranging the additives will not give results due to their small quantity;
• it is not recommended to wear jewelry frequently;
• low wear resistance;
• fragility.
Gold jewelry made from alloy 958 differs not only in volume, but also in weight. It is usually larger than other products that were made from other types of materials.
How to check authenticity yourself
Like other samples, the mark on the product will help you distinguish 958 gold from others. The stamp must contain a special design indicating the country in which the jewelry was made. There is also a sample of the alloy there. Also an indicator and grant of quality is a special brand name of the manufacturer. On jewelry it can be found on the inside or on the will of the stamp.
People with excellent hearing can distinguish gold by sound. However, be careful when throwing the product, as it may become deformed.
The most accurate and effective way is an electronic device that measures the alloy sample. Of course, the device is not cheap, but it will help you accurately determine the sample and know that you have not purchased a fake.
The color of the product can also help determine the sample. Jewelry made from 958 standard is distinguished by its bright color and shine. They can be seen from afar.
Calculation of the cost of 1 gram of 958 gold
To independently determine how much the price of a gold alloy is in a certain time period, you need to take as a basis the formula:
The rate of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation for the metal is 999 x 0.958 = the price of the alloy with the given parameters,
As a result, they get: 4450 x 0.958 = 4263 rubles.
Gold bars
Tips for caring for and cleaning pure gold
The metal, which contains 95.8% gold, requires special care as abrasives can damage it. This alloy is most often used to make jewelry without stones, which makes cleaning it easier. Basic recommendations:
- it is necessary to exclude contact of the precious metal with cosmetics, hot water, sweat, which means that the product should not be worn while taking a shower, playing sports, or physical activity;
- You need to periodically clean gold jewelry with soapy water and a soft cloth;
- Do not keep 958 gold alloy products close to others, this may cause scratches;
- Do not use abrasives: soda, tooth powder and brush.
Important! The probability of darkening of a metal containing 95.8% gold is low due to the small number of alloys, but it is still better to avoid contact of this material with household products and other chemicals (perfumes, cosmetics, etc.).
Cleaning gold jewelry
Which country is better to buy gold?
Each country makes its own adjustments to jewelry production. The main goal is to reduce costs and add beauty and originality to design solutions. But sometimes additives affect durability, and sometimes cause allergic reactions. Many began to purchase Turkish gold based on considerations of cheapness.
“My wife’s friends were bragging about how cheap gold they bought in Turkey. Now my wife dreams of going to Turkey to buy cheap gold trinkets there. But why can you buy gold so cheaply in Turkey? It seems that the purity of Turkish gold is good, but it is much cheaper than ours. What is the reason for this phenomenon with gold?” - quote from the forum.
Indeed, the price of gold items from this country is low, and in appearance they are no different. But often the carat measure of the precious metal content differs significantly when tested, not in favor of gold. Therefore, such products have a low cost.
Italy is famous for its 750 standard jewelry. It should be noted that in this country it is not customary to wear gold jewelry as an everyday accessory. Jewelry predominates there.
In Switzerland, products below 750 are prohibited.
Russian jewelers keep their mark. The products correspond to the specified sample. A tag is attached to each piece of jewelry, which indicates the characteristics, as well as information about the inserts - precious and semi-precious stones.
When purchasing jewelry, you should not chase cheapness. This often means counterfeit or theft.
Question-answer section
Why does gold oxidize?
Expert opinion
Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich
Jeweler 6th category
The higher the content of precious metals, the less likely it is to change their appearance. This means that 958 gold alloy is much less susceptible to external factors than other types. Additionally, pure noble metal can be used to protect less valuable materials from oxidation.
Causes of darkening of gold?
Expert opinion
Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich
Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop
There is still a possibility of changes in materials that contain a significant proportion of gold, albeit low. Reasons for deterioration in the appearance of jewelry:
Why and where to buy 958 gold. How can you buy it and sell it profitably?
Expert opinion
Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich
Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop
Connoisseurs of high quality products strive to surround themselves with them. Jewelry of 958 standard can also be included in this group of things: silver and copper are contained in small quantities, and the proportion of precious metal is high. But they are difficult to find in jewelry stores. It is recommended that you contact a jeweler to have a custom ring or bracelet made. It will be possible to sell the jewelry to him later if it becomes irrelevant. Other opportunities for purchasing and selling high-value metal:
- Internet resources (Avito, etc.);
- pawnshops.
But in this case it will not be possible to verify the certificate, which means the risk of purchasing a fake is too great. It is better to look for opportunities to sell or buy a product in official stores. To sell a product profitably, you need to prepare it: clean it of dirt, grease film, and polish it.
How to clean 958 gold
It's quite expensive to regularly take your jewelry out for cleaning, so there are a few home remedies you can use to get your jewelry back to its previous condition.
The first rule is to never use a rough cloth for polishing. Since 958 gold is quite soft, it is easily exposed to external influences and deformation, and scratches may appear.
For the first method of cleaning the product, you will need a glass of water and two tablespoons of sugar. A strong sugar solution is made in which the decoration remains overnight. The next morning, take out the product and polish it with a soft suede cloth. Since the 958 sample is quite resistant to chemical attack, you can use salt instead of sugar, and the solution will become more aggressive, although the result in both cases is the same.
The second method requires baking soda and foil. Pour baking soda into foil and place decorations there. Place the lump and foil in a glass and pour boiling water over it. Keep it there for no more than 30 minutes, remove the products from the foil and polish them. The result will pleasantly surprise you.
