GOLD
The magic of precious metals:
The fascination of gold jewelry
A precious metal with history
Gold, the precious metal, has always held an irresistible fascination for mankind. It symbolizes wealth, beauty, and timeless elegance. The history of gold dates back to ancient times, when it was prized by various cultures for its rarity and brilliance. From the Egyptian pharaohs to the magnificent royal robes of bygone eras, gold has always held a special place in jewelry making. Today, it is still valued for its durability, as it does not corrode and retains its luster over time. In times of crisis, it is always a safe haven, and investors protect their assets by investing in gold, as gold fluctuates in value but never loses its value, as can be the case with securities, stocks, or real estate bubbles.
Timeless elegance
The timeless elegance of gold jewelry is undeniable. Its warm color flatters the skin and adds a touch of sophistication to any outfit. Whether as a delicate bracelet, sparkling necklace, or breathtaking engagement or wedding ring, gold remains a versatile metal that can be effortlessly integrated into various designs.
An expression of personality
Gold jewelry is not only a shiny accessory, but often also an expression of personality. From delicate pieces to bold and creative designs, the choice of gold jewelry reflects the uniqueness and style of an individual. It allows wearers to share their history and preferences in a subtle yet expressive way. Retina jewelry is perfect for this, allowing you to express your uniqueness and distinctive personality in a subtle and discreet way.
A legacy for the future
Another fascinating aspect of gold jewelry is its role as an heirloom. Many families value gold jewelry as a precious legacy that is passed down from generation to generation. These pieces not only have material value, but also carry emotional ties and stories—they connect the past, present, and future in a unique way. Retina jewelry is regarded as just such an heirloom by many of our customers. A valuable accessory, a memento with incredible symbolic power that will prove the existence of future generations and fill them with wonder. Such a personal piece of gold jewelry is certainly one of the last items to be melted down when money is tight.
Sustainability and responsibility
In today’s world, the sustainability of gold jewelry is becoming increasingly important. Many manufacturers are committed to environmentally friendly mining practices and fair working conditions in order to minimize the negative impact on people and the environment. When buying gold jewelry, it is advisable to look for certificates and information about its origin to ensure that the values embodied by gold are respected in every respect. We were the first goldsmiths in Basel to start working with ethically sourced/recycled gold, as the ethics behind gold jewelry that is worn for decades have always been important to us and we take our responsibility in this regard seriously.
Gold and carats
When it comes to buying gold jewelry or bars, it is important to understand the quality and purity of the gold. A common unit of measurement often used in this context is the “karat.” What is karat? Karat is a unit used to measure the purity of gold. It refers to the proportion of pure gold in an alloy. Pure gold, also known as 24-karat gold, contains 100% gold. The lower the karat value, the lower the gold content and the more other metals are contained in the alloy. For example, 18-karat gold contains 75% gold and 25% other metals such as copper or silver. 18-karat gold is the most commonly processed gold in Switzerland. This alloy is optimized in terms of stability, color, and comfort. It does not tarnish and is relatively scratch-resistant (however, no precious metal is 100% protected against abrasion). 14-karat gold has a fineness of 585 parts per thousand and is therefore often referred to as “585” gold. It is often found in German wedding rings, but can have a lighter color as it only consists of 58.5% gold, with the rest being other alloy components that can influence the color (and hardness). With this alloy, it cannot be guaranteed that it will not tarnish.
Carat and purity
It is important to understand that a higher carat value does not necessarily indicate better quality, but rather the fineness, i.e. how much % or, more accurately, per mille (/000) gold is contained in the alloy. The fineness is indicated as a 3-digit number: “750” gold corresponds to 75% gold content and is equivalent to 18 carats. While 24-karat gold (999/000) is the purest form, it is also softer and more susceptible to scratches and deformation. Therefore, 18-karat gold is normally used for jewelry in Switzerland, as it offers a better balance between durability and shine. Many goldsmiths also work with alloys containing less than 58.5% gold (less than 14 karat). We only work with alloys of 14 karat or higher, and even then only rarely. Gold with a lower karat value is also usually lighter in color. On the other hand, we offer higher karat gold such as 21 and 24 karat gold jewelry because it has beautiful warm tones. However, we do not use 24 karat for rings because they are usually exposed to heavy wear. For pendants and earrings, however, this is a captivatingly beautiful color.
We always recommend high-alloy gold to special customers who are looking for something unique and are willing to take extra care of their valuable jewelry: Wear 21-karat rings on your non-dominant hand: If you are right-handed, it is better to wear the ring on your left hand and vice versa. If worn on your dominant hand, your jewelry will show signs of wear more quickly.
Farbgold: Rotgold / Roségold
The addition of a small amount of copper gives this gold alloy a slightly pink color, creating rose gold. A higher copper content results in red gold, which is a popular alloy we use frequently. It has a beautiful, very pleasant warm tone that has attracted increasing interest from our customers in recent years. However, it does not suit every skin type, so it is important to try this alloy on your own skin using sample rings.
white gold
When yellow gold is mixed with palladium, the palladium discolours the gold and, strictly speaking, a grey tone is created: gray gold. We mainly use white gold alloys with 16% palladium – here, the yellow color is completely removed and we obtain an interesting anthracite color, which we always recommend to our customers in its pure form. We find it to be a very elegant, dark shade. However, in most cases, an additional electroplating process (rhodium plating) is applied, turning gray gold into white gold.
Rhodium plating of white gold
Most customers know white gold as a very light-colored precious metal, as the name suggests. However, it is important to note that white gold only becomes truly light-colored through rhodium plating. Rhodium is a very hard, light-colored precious metal from the platinum group that can be applied to precious metal surfaces in an electrochemical process known as electroplating. In the case of gray gold, this then becomes white gold. For technical reasons, however, a layer thickness of only approx. 1 micrometer can be achieved. Although this layer is relatively stable, it can wear off over time, especially on finger rings, due to mechanical abrasion. In this case, the rhodium plating can be repeated without any problems, provided that the jewelry is thoroughly cleaned and prepared beforehand.
Responsibility and hallmarking
Our responsibility mark (WW) guarantees that your piece of jewelry comes from our workshop and that the specified precious metal content is guaranteed. The latter is indicated as follows and engraved into your piece of jewelry by us using a laser:
- 750 18 karat Gold
- 900 & 21 karat Gold
- 916 22 karat Gold
- 999 24 karat Gold
- 585 14 karat Gold
- 950 95% platinum (+the letters “Pt” for platinum)
- 925 Sterling silver 92.5% fineness
Our logo is also a trademark and guarantees that your unique item comes from our workshop. Since summer 2023, when our sole proprietorship “kleine Rheinperle Wacha” was converted into the stock corporation “RetinaDesign,” we have been using our new logo, which can be seen at the top and bottom of our website.
