Gold - What is the difference between 18kt, 14kt, 10kt and 24kt?

Silver

Gold

 
The American standard for identifying gold purity is karating.  A karat is a unit of measurement that applies to the purity of gold.  The Abbreviation for karat is kt. Karating is based on 24 units, or parts, which is why 24 karat gold would be considered pure gold.  Meaning that nothing has been mixed or alloyed with it so it is 100% gold.  Alloying is the mixing of one metal with a second metal to produce a third metal.  Since gold is very soft it is often alloyed to give it durability and strength.  Copper is the primary alloy and when added to gold it becomes much harder and more resistant to wear.So 18 Kt gold is 25% alloy and 75% gold, 14 kt is 42% alloy and 58% gold and 10kt is 58% alloy and 42% gold.   Some alloys, such as palladium, are added to gold to change it color to white. (Green and red colors are achieved by adding different combinations of various alloy metals). Over the years, different refiners of gold have used their own combinations of alloys, which have resulted in different colors of gold making one refiners yellow gold slightly different in color to another refiners yellow gold.  In 1989, the Manufacturing Jewelers and Silversmiths of America began working on a gold color standard that helps to produce consistency in the colors used in the jewelry industry.  This was a very important step when it comes to jewelry repair. 
It is amazing to believe that a teaspoon of pure gold is worth more than an average person's wages for one week.  What are the prices for gold today you ask? 

Metal Prices today: $37.70   $1,533.00   $1,786.00

The value of gold or jewelry, as well as any other article, is what someone is willing to pay for it on any given day.  Gold is considered a liquid asset, which means there's always someone willing to pay you very close to the market value at any given time.  The price of gold varies daily due to changing financial conditions in the world.  You may find it interesting to following these prices if you have gold you want to sell or carry stock in gold.

Always remember you won't always getting the market value for gold and you should be careful when selling gold.  Do your homework.

Buying gold jewelry is a little different.  You can still find affordable prices for gold pieces but jewelry prices have gone up just like everything else on the market today because of the economy.  Again do your homework and look for deals or auctions.

Visit us anytime at www.morgans-jewelryboutique.com.  We love jewelry!!

Final Chapter - Ingredient Glossary

Shall we continue..........

Sandalwood Essential Oil:  From the ground roots and woods of a tropical Asian evergreen, this aromatherpeutic oil soothes skin, while elevating the spirit.

Sea Kelp Extract:  From Pacific marine plants, kelp is nutritive to the skin, adding vital minerals to restore vitality.

Shea Butter and Shea Oil:  from the sacred African Shea tree.  Shea is a wonder-working emollient proven to moisturize, rejuvenate, soothe and heal dry, chapped, irritated and inflamed skin.  Also great as a moisturizing hair conditioner and for a lubricious massage.

Sodium lactate:  Neutralized form of lactic acid from milk.  Natural alpha hydroxy acid works to gently exfoliate and enables skin to better absorb moisture.  Softens and moisturizes.

Sodium PCA:  Known as "Natural Moisturizing Factor" this amino acid (protein) derivative encourages lasting moisture retention.

Soy Protein & Wheat Protein:  Strengthens hair shaft;  Hydrates skin, hair and shaft.

Sugar Cane Extract:  A natural alpha hydroxy moisturizer.  Acts as a mild exfoliator, revealing fresh new skin.

Sunflower Oil (certified organic):  Its purest, most natural form, this high oleic oil is shelf stable and ideal for a body and massage oil.

Tea Tree Essential Oil:  From the Australian eucalyptus tree, this aromatic oil has long been used as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal treatment.

Vitamin A Palmitate:  An effective anti-oxidant vitamin to help fight environmental damage, improve skin health, texture and smoothness.

Vitamin C Palmitate: From ascorbic acid, vitamin C is an effective anti-oxidant.

Vitamin D:  Naturally occurs in human cells:  essential for healthy skin and hair.  Moisturizes.

Vitamin E acetate:  antioxidant vitamin works to improve skin health by fighting free radical damage.  Also acts as a natural preservative.

Vitamin E Linoleate:  A long lasting form of Vitamin E; can improve skin resiliency by locking in moisture for up to 16 hours.

Wheat Germ Oil:  A natural, vitamin rich emollient that rejuvenates mature and dry skin.

White Tea Extract:  An ultra-powerful anti-oxidant packed with anti-aging polyphenols.  Its boosts the immune function of skin cells, protects from the damaging effect of the sun and pollutants, and leaves skin free to renew, repair and replenish.

Witch Hazel:  Mild, natural astringent and freshener.

Yiang-Yiang Essential Oil:  Flowers native to the Philippines.  Regulates and balances sebum production.

Now this list is by far a complete list but these are some of the most popular ingredients found in natural and organic skin care products on the market today.  I hope this list will open your eyes to natural ingredients and how they are good for your skin.  Check out our line of natural and organic skin care products today at 20% off.  We think you will like the results and the prices.

Love Naturally.

Part 3 - Ingredient Glossary for Natural and Organic Products

Ok, lets talk about more ingredients.  I hope you are seeing some of the ingredients you may have been wondering about and a bunch more you did know about.  Nature truly is a wonderful thing.

Menthol:  Derived from peppermint; antiseptic, cooling, soothing, and refreshing.

Nettle extract:  From the nettle plant, this botanical is naturally cleansing and stimulating to the hair and scalp.

Neroli Essential Oil:  Extracted from the flavors of the bitter orange tree;  soothes, calms and rejuvenates; wonderful for all skin types.

Nonfat Milk:  Real milk soothes and moisturizes with nourishing proteins.

Oat Betaglucan Extract:  Derived from oats: this extract is an effective moisturizer for dry and mature skin.

Oat Floor:  Absorbs excess oil without stripping; gentle exfoliant; soothes inflammation.

Orange Blossom Essential Oil:  A refreshing, smooth blend of orange, mandarin, lemon, petitgrain, rosemary and neroli natural essential oils that creates a fresh picked fruity-floral aroma to uplift spirits and soothe skin.

Panthenol (Vit B-5):  Easily absorbed by hair shaft to condition, moisturize and add shine.  Also great for soothing skin inflammations and hydrating dry, irritated skin.

Papaya Extract & Papaya Leaf Powders:  An effective gentle exfoliant that gently dissolves dead skin cells to leave a fresh, renewed complexion.  Prepares skin to accept moisturization.

Pecan Oil:  Expeller pressed from Southwestern U.S. pecans; a great lightweight, yet emollient massage and body oil.

Peppermint Natural Essential Oil:  The pure natural aromatic oil cools and refreshes the skin, while boosting and stimulating the spirit.

Pomegranate Extract:  Paced with nature's most potent anti-oxidants, plus amazing calming and toning powers, these crimson seeds defend the skin against the ravages of our harsh environment.

Rose Essential Oil:  Extracted from the rose petals, a traditional, time-tested skin moisturizer, toner and soother.

Rose Geranium Essential Oil:  This highly effective essential oil is both calming and balancing to the skin, and has long been used to rejuvenate dry, depleted and mature skin.

Rosemary Essential Oil:  Aromatic, rejuvenating

Salicylic Acid:  Very effective over long-term use, this beta hydroxy acid works wonders to gently exfoliate and dissolve dead skin cells to reveal fresh, smooth and soft skin.

More in our next article.  See ya soon.  Visit us at www.morgans-boutique.com.