How to Identify Gold Jewelry Letters

Whether you’re a fan of gold or not, you should be aware of the different types of jewelry that contain this type of metal. Aside from being beautiful and classy, these items can also have a special meaning to you. Knowing how to identify them will help you buy the perfect pieces of gold jewelry for yourself or a loved one. However, before you purchase any gold jewelry, it’s important to understand how these letters are used.

The purity mark on gold jewelry will have two or three digits followed by the letter “K.” The karats indicate the percentage of gold in the item. For instance, a 14k gold necklace will contain 14 percent of the gold in it. An 18k necklace, on the other hand, will contain eighty percent of the metal. The GL designation will tell you that it’s made of gold. Otherwise, a piece of jewelry stamped with a GL will be copper or silver.

You should also pay attention to the letters that are stamped next to the karat mark. These letters will tell you more about the item. For example, the letters “GF” mean that the item is not solid gold, while “GP” means that it’s gold-filled. U.S. law requires all gold jewelry to bear this mark, so it’s important to know what these letters mean. It can help you make the right purchasing decision.

A CT is an abbreviation for carat. This is the weight of a single gemstone. For instance, if your gold bracelet says “24K”, you’re buying a 24karat gold necklace. If you see a GP, that means the gold in the jewelry is not pure gold. A GP stamp indicates that it is gold-plated, but it’s not solid gold. Therefore, you should be cautious about wearing this type of gold jewelry because it will tarnish over time.

When you purchase gold jewelry, look for letters that indicate the content of the metal. A 750 stamp means that the piece is solid gold, while a 585 stamp indicates that it has been heat-treated. A 585 mark means that it contains 58.5% of the gold particles. Similarly, a GP stamp means that the piece is “gold-plated” if it’s a sterling silver piece. This is not solid gold.

The purity mark on gold jewelry is a two-digit number followed by a letter “K.” This represents the percentage of gold in the item. The 24K mark indicates that it is pure, while a 14K mark means that it has been electroplated. A GP mark means that the piece is made of silver, copper, or a combination of these metals. These letters, however, have no effect on the quality of the gold.