Is it Normal for Gold to Break?

Gold has always been admired for its beauty and worth. But many gold owners have a common concern: Is gold breaking normal? While most gold buyers believe gold is a strong metal, it is essential to note its physical properties and the reasons behind its potential breakage. In this blog post, we’ll look into the nature of gold, why it can break, and steps to take to protect it.

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1. Understanding Gold's Natural Properties

The answer to the above question starts with understanding gold’s properties.

Gold’s Atomic Structure

Gold is a valuable element indeed. And its atomic structure is soft and malleable. Its atoms are arranged loosely, so gold is easy to shape. However, this very same property makes it susceptible to bending stress.

Gold's Purity Scale

On the purity scale, gold ranks 24 karat gold. The greater the karat value, the purer (or softer) the gold becomes. On the other hand, lower karats like 14 or 18 are amalgamated with alloys, which increases the strength of the gold, making it durable.

How Gold Reacts to Wear

Apart from being soft and malleable, gold is also reactive. Over time, it tends to lose its shape and structural integrity, especially if the items are worn daily. Closed rings and chains wear out the most due to friction and moisture.

2. Why Pure Gold Is Softer Than You Think

Many people do not consider softness to be one of gold’s traits. Gold, exceptionally high karat gold, is not as strong as expected. Let’s take a closer look.

24k Gold Composition

Since 24k gold is 99.9% pure, it contains no hardening agents like copper or silver. Due to a lack of fortifying agents, it is extremely pliable, making it unfit for most jewelry requiring structural integrity.

Low Tensile Strength

When compared to industrial metals, gold is relatively stretchy. This means it stretches or breaks under less pressure, more easily when used in fragile, intricate designs.

Susceptibility to Scratches and Dents

Gold is highly vulnerable to damage like scratches and dents. From pure gold, even a gentle knock against a hard surface would leave visible damage or bend the gold entirely.

Influence of Temperature and Pressure

Other factors like extreme temperature or pressure changes can lead to micro fractures, which make gold prone to breakage. Weakened bonds in gold could also result from high heat (like soldering or steaming).

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3. Common Reasons Gold Jewelry Breaks

If you are still wondering, why does my gold jewelry keep breaking? Prepare to be surprised by some common causes.

Daily Wear and Tear

The constant use of gold jewelry involves physical maneuvering, cleaning chemicals, and tension. These factors alone aggravate the risk of weakening the structure, leading to breaks over time.

Thin or Delicate Design

Jewelry with thin clasps and links, or elaborate carvings, is more susceptible to breaking, especially when crafted from high-karat gold.

Faulty Craftsmanship

Gold components can fail before their time due to careless soldering and loose joints, which all goldsmiths do not take care of to craft properly.

Chemical Exposure

Gold alloys are sensitive, so exposure to chlorine, cleaning agents, lotions, and even perfume could weaken structural joints, making them prone to breakage.

4. How to Prevent Your Gold from Breaking

Despite its delicate nature, its maintenance is not impossible. Here’s how you can increase its longevity.

Choose Lower-Karat Gold for Daily Wear

Going for 14k or 18k gold when picking out everyday accessories is advisable. These mixtures have stronger alloys, which increase the durability.

Regular Cleaning and Inspection

When it comes to gold, an occasional wash with some soap is advised alongside checking for loose parts or any joins that may move too much. Regular inspections ensure that unnoticed damage to a gold item does not worsen over time.

Store Gold Properly

It is best to store the item away in soft pouches to avoid the item getting scratched. Do not throw them into drawers carelessly or put them somewhere damp, which can lead to further issues.

5. Should You Be Worried If Your Gold Breaks?  

In this write-up, we look at the broken gold item and discuss whether or not it should be a cause for concern.  

Breaking Isn’t Always a Sign of Poor Quality  

Wear and tear or design flaws can affect even the highest quality gold. There’s no indication that a break signifies the piece is fake or defective.  

Repair Is Often Possible  

Most gold breaks can be fixed easily by a jeweler. Restoration is usually straightforward, quick, and affordable, from re-soldering links to replacing clasps.  

Take It as a Maintenance Cue  

Perhaps if your gold item breaks, that is a good reason to service the jewelry more often over time. Proper regular maintenance keeps gold items functional and beautiful.  

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Conclusion  

So, is it normal for gold to break?  Yes, it is possible even with real, high-purity gold. Due to its soft nature, gold jewelry is vulnerable to wear, design limitations, and external factors. It is essential not to forget that with proper care, professional maintenance, and the correct karat, you can keep your gold intact for years. Gold is a precious metal, but should be dealt with as a soft metal. Therefore, one has to pay special attention and affection to it.