The same holds true for the gem and jewelry industry: For years a global manufacturing hub, China is emerging as the strongest consumer market for luxury products such as jewelry. Chinese consumers are now synonymous with luxury products, and this is true with gemstones and jewelry.
Pure gold is so soft it is rarely used in jewelry. Jewelers deal with various gold alloys, collectively called karat gold. Karat (K) tells the number of parts, by weight, of gold in 24 parts of alloy. The higher the percentage of pure gold, the higher the karat. Pure gold is 24K; 18K is 18 parts fine gold and 6 parts metal; 14K is 14 parts fine gold and 10 parts metal; and 10K is 10 parts fine gold and 14 parts other metal. A diamond certificate is a report that attests to the authenticity of a diamond.
22k or 22 karat gold contains 92% - 24k or 24 karat gold is 100% pure gold. The mark .999 or .999 fine also means pure gold (100%). Here is a chart that tells the actual percentage of silver for the various silver marks:Sterling is 92.5% silver - .925 is 92.5% silver (same as sterling).lease sign in to vote on this Guide. Here is a chart that tells the actual percentage of gold for the various k marks: 9k or 9 karat gold contains 38% gold - 10k or 10 karat gold contains 42% gold. 12k or 12 karat gold contains 50% gold - 14k or 14 karat gold contains 58% gold.