If you're in the market for gold jewelry, then you've likely heard 417 gold mentioned a few times. 417 gold is frequently advertised online and in shop windows. However, it's rarely accompanied by an explanation. As a result, most casual shoppers can get confused. In this article you will learn all about 417 gold.
What Is 417 Gold?
Gold jewelry does not feature a set amount of gold. The gold content varies from item to item. To indicate the percentage of gold in a piece of jewelry, jewelers use a combination of numbers and letters. 417 is one such combination and yes, it's real gold. If a piece of jewelry is described as "417 gold", then it's made of 41.7% gold. The remaining 58.8% of the piece is made up of additional metals and materials.
417 gold and 10-karat gold are the same. Some shoppers don't realize this and as a result, they get suspicious when they purchase a piece of 417 gold jewelry and find it stamped "10K". But there's no need to worry, it's not a scam. Both equal 41.7% gold content.
The Value of Your 417 Gold Jewelry
There's a lot of factors that go into pricing jewelry such as the craftsmanship, condition, etc. But the most important factor is how much gold content the jewelry has. To find the gold scrap value, you need to multiply the gold content percentage by the weight of your item. Luckily, we have a gold jewelry calculator that does all the work for you.
Advantages of 417 Gold
417 gold has less gold content so it's obviously not as valuable as 14 or 18-karat gold. Despite this, 417 gold is not without its advantages. One of the major benefits of 417 gold is its durability. When not mixed with additional materials, gold is quite soft. This means the more alloy in a piece of jewelry, the more durable it is. Because 417 gold is more than 50% alloy, it's sturdier than the higher-karat alternatives.
The lack of pure gold in 417 gold is also an advantage when it comes to price. 10-karat gold jewelry is less expensive than jewelry with a higher gold content. This makes it a good choice if you're trying to look good on a budget. Because of its durability and low price, 417 gold is generally used in jewelry that is manufactured in bulk such as class rings.
Disadvantages of 417 Gold
The obvious drawback of 417 gold is that it contains less pure gold than higher-karat alternatives so it's less valuable. The decreased gold content also renders it visually unimpressive when compared to purer gold.
417 gold also isn't a great option if you have sensitive skin. So keep this in mind if you have a history of skin conditions because additional materials in 417 gold jewelry could aggravate your allergies.
Alternatives
One rung up from 417 gold is 585 gold, which is 14 karats and contains 58.5% pure gold. There is also 750 gold, which is 18 karats. These alternatives will cost more than 585 gold. As you expand your budget, you will also encounter encounter 22-karat gold (917) and even 24-karat gold (999) which 99.9% pure.
Other Markings
You may encounter some other markings when shopping for gold jewelry. For example, some pieces may be branded "10KP". This indicates that the item in question is plumb gold and is 10 karats exactly. No more, no less. An item labeled "G.P" is gold-plated. Similarly, jewelry labeled "G.F" is gold filled, which essentially means that it has a thicker layer of gold-plating.
In some cases markings are followed by the name of a country. For example, "417 Italy". This indicates the gold item's country of origin.
How to Find Markings
Gold markings are often hidden from view. This is done to avoid ruining the appearance of any given piece of jewelry. A ring's gold markings can be found in its interior circle. A chain or bracelet usually has its gold markings etched into its clasps. Markings can be found on the posts of a pair of earrings.
Why Can't I See the Markings?
You won't always be able to see gold markings with the naked eye. With smaller pieces of jewelry, it may be necessary to use a magnifying glass. If you can't find gold markings on your jewelry even with a magnifying glass, then there are a number of possible explanations. Markings generally aren't included on custom-made jewelry. Similarly, if a piece of jewelry has been resized then it's possible that the gold markings were removed in the process.
Where to Buy 417 Gold Jewelry
You can find a good selection of 417 gold jewelry on Amazon. There are different sellers that offer plenty of 10k chains, rings, earrings. Prices are relatively affordable but it will depend on the brand and quality of the jewelry piece.
Amazon has an especially good selection of gold chains. You can find all types including Cuban link chains, mariner link chains, and rope chains.
In addition to buying online, you can also find 417 gold jewelry at department stores such as Macy's and Kohls. Walmart also has a selection.
Conclusion
417 gold has its pros and its cons. While it won't shine quite as bright as higher-karat gold, it's significantly more durable. This makes it a popular choice for rings and other pieces of jewelry intended to be worn on a daily basis. In addition, its comparatively low price allows people of almost all income levels to own gold jewelry.
417 gold is noticeably different to more expensive alternatives when viewed close up. However, most people will struggle to separate it from 585 or 750 gold from a distance. To the untrained eye, 417 gold jewelry boasts just as much pure gold as some of its higher-karat counterparts.