Metals and Imitation Gold

Base Metal of Imitation Gold
A nonprecious metal such as copper, iron, nickel and zinc.

Gold Electroplating
A quick and inexpensive way to make base metal look like gold. The object is dipped in a gold plating solutions and then an electrical current is used to coat the object with a thin layer of gold. The thickness of the gold depends upon the amount and duration of the current. For an item to be called gold electroplate in the US, the gold layer must be at least 7/1,000,000 of an inch thick. If the layer is thinner, then the item is described as gold flashed or gold washed.

Jewelry Loupe

What Is a Jewelry Loupe

Jewelry professionals use a loupe(pronounced loop), also called a magnifier, to inspect gemstones and jewelry. These magnifiers have special lenses that allow our eyes to focus on an object at a much closer distance than is normally possible, helping you to see the gemstone or jewelry in larger vision and revealing tiny details which we couldn't see with our normal vision.

Handmade Jewelry

Within the jewelry industry, the term "handmade" has a variety of meanings and connotations. According to the Federal Trade Commission of the United States, the term "handmade" should only be applied to jewelry which is made entirely by hand methods and tools. If any part of the pieces is cast or die-struck, it is not handmade. Appraisers oftern use this meaning for the term "handmade".