Could someone help answer a question for me please? Is the quality of Italian gold (18 karat) better than the quality of gold in the U.S.? If yes, is it more expensive to buy in Italy or U.S.?

Good morning, Mary<BR>karat refers to the amount of gold within a peice. 24k is solid gold with<BR>no fillers and marked so. 18k is very common in IT again is marked, some of<BR>the lower k's are available, but all is<BR>mostly sold by weight. The item is placed on the scale the the current price of gold + is used as the multipler...Yes, the higher the k, the<BR>more expensive the peice, the only bargain is talking them out of the taxes..Richard of LaGrange Park,Il..<BR>and pay cash...

Thanks Richard. But what I really want to know is is the quality of Italian gold any better, and if so why? Also is it cheaper to purchase there than here, and is it better to purchase in Rome or Florence?

To the Top Pleeeeze

Mary,<BR><BR>Gold does not have a "quality" measure. As Richard pointed out, the karat indicates what percentage of the metal is gold vs. non-gold. In the US, jewelers tend to use 14K (14 parts out of 24 parts are gold; in Italy, they prefer 18K (18 parts out of 24 are gold). 14K is less expensive than 18K. It depends on what you prefer. 18K gold has a deeper gold color, and will contain more gold in the alloy of the metal than 14K.

Speaking from personal experience, the Italian gold and technique of jewelry making is different. The gold itself seems more yellow and buttery. It is not more expensive then in the U.S., and you need to take into account that in Italy you'll find designs and styles that are just not in the U.S. Also in the U.S. a lot of items claimed as "Italian made/gold" are in 14 karat gold, and 18k is a different realm.

After an earlier posting on gold I researched the subject and include my results in this thread. I do not consider my answer to be definitive but I have spoken to various jewellers as well as some involved in the gold manufacturing business, especially around Arezzo. <BR>Gold is produced and sold on the carat basis and this often varies from country to country. First of all pure gold is 24 carat or 24K or 1,000 in the metric system as used in Italy and many other Continental European markets. 24K gold is very rare and is sometimes worked for the Chinese market. It is too soft for certain articles and actually wears out if worn. 21K/22K is still relatively "soft" but is frequently to be found in the Middle East and subsequently Indian market. 18K is the most frequently found "quality" rating and is that usually found in Italy and for example is that which the Swiss watchmakers will normally use in their gold watches - at least the models sold in Switzerland. In America it is common to find 14K gold whereas in England you will even find 9K gold. At 9K you are actually below 50% gold so I wonder whether it is even correct to call it gold. For high quality jewellers and watchmakers 18K is the one they most commonly use.<BR>In Italy there is no minimum or maximum requirement as per the law but almost all gold you will find is 18K. This you can verify by checking the stamp on the item in question. 18/24 = 0.75 or 750 on the 1,000 measurement scale as referrred to above. This 750 should be stamped on every item you purchase - if it is not there then simply say "No grazie" (and then if you want "non sono mica un cretino, fesso, scemo ...." - I invite suitable translations!). Your chain, bracelet etc may also have another stamp on it which refers to the producer/designer.<BR>Unless the item you are purchasing is particularly elaborate (and this means exceptionally so as it is remarkable what machines can do today) or includes precious stones then the price of the item should be based on this. Most jewellers don't want you to weigh the item as they wish to bamboozle you about the skils of the designer, complication of manufacture etc etc - i.e. they want you to pay a higher price. Nowadays unfortunately fewer jewellers sell on weight - one of those remaining is Roberto Vaggi at S. Vaggi & Figli on the Ponte Vecchio, Florence. I assure you you won't go wrong there. If others offer things at lower prices you should ask yourself why - check the 750 stamp.<BR>As far as prices are concerned the current going rate for gold jewellry is Euro 16-20 per gram with the higher figure being used for more elaborate items and those signed.<BR>Don't hesitate to contact me direct if you have any further or more specific query.

Thank you all so much for your help. It sounds like Florence, specifically Roberto Vaggi, is the place to buy.

topping for you

I have purchased gold in Italy--Florence to be exact and I love my pieces. I find that 18K is often hard to find in the US, and when I do, it is very expensive. I did not feel that I paid too much for it, and have found that when I wear a piece be it a ring, bracelet or pendant, into a jewelry store in the U. S. the jewelers always notice it. I love my gold! Never have regretted buying it--in fact, I now make it a point to shop for jewelry whenever in Europe!

There are just a few additions I would make to the previous postings:<BR>The term quality is very subjective and refers to details of finish, design, and construction. It is entirely possible to have a 14kt gold piece of a higher construction quality than an 18kt gold piece that is not well made.<BR>Purity refers to the percentage of gold in an item; as stated above, 18kt gold is an alloy(mixture) containing 75% pure gold and 25% other metal, 24kt gold is 100% pure gold, and 14kt gold is 57% gold with 43% other metal. If the quality is good, then a piece in 18kt gold may be more desirable because it is made with a higher percentage of gold, and is therefore more of a luxury. All of that said, many people wish to buy gold in Italy; seeing so many shops offering it, the assumption is that it must be a great bargain. The pieces offered may be a good value, if the following factors are considered: Do I REALLY like the way it looks?, do I have some idea what a similar piece would sell for at a reputable shop back home?, and will I enjoy wearing this piece for many years as a reminder of my trip? If you answer yes to those questions, then the item is likely to be a good value even if you are able to buy a similar item at home for close to or even less than the price. I manage a retail jewelry store, so I look at jewelry when I travel; I just returned from Italy, and did not purchase jewelry. I've also shopped for jewelry in London, Paris and Amsterdam--didn't buy in any of those cities; Bangkok, however, was another story...

Thanks again all of you for your help. Barbara that is exactly the kind of information I was hoping for.