While pure, 24-karat gold may be the most valuable because it contains the most real gold it is in fact not the best choice for jewelry. Pure gold is very soft or malleable, and as a result is easily bent, scratched or otherwise damaged.

To make gold stronger for people to wear in their jewelry other metals like copper and silver are added to gold. The addition of these other metals can offer color variations in the gold as well as making the gold stronger so your necklace won't get damaged.

Manufacturers each have their own alloy formula for making gold for jewelry. Generally it is a bad idea to combine gold from these different formulas. The results can be gold that is brittle or otherwise unstable. If you are interested in having several gold items melted down and remade into something new, it is best to have the old gold professionally refined.

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