The Egyptians called gold "sun-like". Since ancient times, this precious metal has had a mystical surroundings. He was worshiped; gold served as a measure and symbol of wealth. Today, the jewelry market is flooded with items that look like gold. However, these are not gold products, but so-called medical gold.
What kind of alloy is this, what is its relationship to medicine? Let’s try to figure it out. And is medical gold really valuable, the price of which seems more than acceptable to the average person?
Pure gold
There is no such metal in nature as pure 100% gold. Humanity extracts it from native forms or gold ores, in which the content of 10-50 grams of gold itself per ton of gold ore is considered very promising.
The compound that contains the most gold can only be considered crystals grown artificially in an atmosphere of chlorine using a complex method of chemical transportation. And even these crystals contain 99.9% gold.
The chemical Aurum (Au) is a yellow metal. Very soft and flexible, with high density. The inertness of gold, that is, the absence of interaction under normal conditions with acids, makes it a noble metal. All precious metals are subject to mandatory testing with a corresponding stamp. It is the gold purity, and this is the hallmark, that means the proportional content of the precious metal in a particular product.
Natural gold consists of the stable isotope Au(197). There are other isotopes - radioactive. For example, Au (198) has found application in radiology in the treatment of cancer.
What is gold used for in medicine?
The use of gold in medicine has been practiced by people for many centuries. Golden water was also used for treatment. She treated colds, weakness, exhaustion, lungs, liver, heart, etc.
Modern science has stepped far forward. Now gold nanoparticles are used in many medications. For example, smallpox and skin diseases have been successfully treated in China. Thanks to this noble metal, the body becomes stronger and more resilient, and strengthens cardiovascular activity. In Japan, gold foil is added to drinks or food. They are believed to strengthen the immune system. Indian women rejuvenate the body. To do this, gold powder or tablet is mixed with medicinal herbs (up to 2 mg of gold per day). Regular use of this medicine promotes rejuvenation.
Experiments on animals have proven that they can even cure cancer. Instead of implants, it is necessary to introduce a serum containing nanoparticles around the affected areas. Electrons atrophy blood vessels and cure them of disease.
Medical gold disinfects and kills germs. The famous physician Paracelsus even came up with a medicine that could cure syphilis. Gold alloys are used in dental prosthetics. They eliminate unpleasant odors in the mouth and do not cause allergies. Dental gold has a number of benefits. They are not tested because the precious metal content there is extremely low. Such dentures have a long service life, they have anti-caries properties and many others. Medical surgical alloy is also used for instruments. After all, after using them there will definitely be no infection.
Gold salts have been used to prevent arthritis since 1929. This treatment is called aurotherapy. With long-term use, the condition of bone tissue improves.
Another important factor is that medical gold is cheap. The price varies from 150-500 rubles. This is 10-15 times less than real, pure gold. Therefore, every person who loves beautiful jewelry can afford it.
Reviews about medical gold are mostly positive. Girls who have had their ears pierced claim that the earrings do not rot and the jewelry does not darken for a long time. When the jewelry begins to change color, you just need to wipe it with a soft cloth and you can wear it again. Some people are allergic to metals, so they are happy to buy medical gold and wear it without any problems. Those consumers who ordered dentures made from this material were satisfied, as it is not only beautiful, but also high-quality and durable. Some women and girls put jewelry in sweetened water, they say that this way they can be easily cleaned.
Medical gold - no sample
As is clear from the previous text, all the gold on the planet is presented in the form of alloys with different gold contents. The term “medical gold” refers to a specific marketing range, including products with various coatings and medical steel. What is the difference between medical gold and regular gold?
The lowest acceptable standard for jewelry is 375 gold. And for everything that contains gold less than this sample, the term “medical gold” was introduced.
The value of medical steel
In medicine, to produce high-strength and durable instruments, a special alloy without a fixed composition is used from the following components: iron, copper, nickel, magnesium, manganese, sulfur, chromium, brass, zinc, silver and molybdenum. This alloy is called medical or surgical steel. Tools made from such alloys do not scratch and have high strength and anti-corrosion properties.
Medical or surgical steel is divided into four groups:
- The predominance of nickel, chromium and magnesium in the alloy (fineness 200).
- The alloy contains only chromium and nickel (fineness 300).
- High concentration nickel alloys.
- The alloy contains only chromium.
For dentistry, a nickel-chrome or cobalt-chrome alloy is used, and for piercing, a silver-based alloy is used. The composition and proportions may vary depending on the wishes of the consumer.
What is it and why is it called that
There is an opinion that pure gold of the 999th standard is called medical. This is wrong. Pure gold is too soft a material, and its cost is high. All gold products in the world are various alloys of the main element and auxiliary ones.
Composition and properties
The alloy usually contains metals that have a shine. Sometimes it doesn't include a single ounce of AU. They try to combine in different proportions:
- zinc,
- copper,
- nickel,
- chromium,
- molybdenum,
- manganese,
- magnesium,
- titanium,
- silver,
- brass.
The alloy does not have a single composition; variations are possible. To obtain the white metal, titanium is added. This alloy is also called surgical; surgical instruments and dentures are made from it.
Vsevolod Kozlovsky6 years in the jewelry business. Knows everything about samples and can identify a fake in 12 seconds. The main advantage of the alloy is its availability and durability. The variety of combinations of metals allows us to produce jewelry that closely resembles precious ones.
Strength
Items made from medical alloy have increased strength. Jewelry has to be produced in simple shapes. But surgical instruments have the necessary hardness, and dental crowns do not wear out.
Shade range
The combination of components gives the medical alloy shades from light yellow to reddish. The use of different technologies for coating objects allows you to choose two colors. The decoration can copy white or yellow gold.
Does the sample
The test is applied to products made of precious metals. There is no sample less than 375. Jewelry containing a smaller amount of AU is classified as costume jewelry and is assigned a different label.
Vsevolod Kozlovsky6 years in the jewelry business. Knows everything about samples and can identify a fake in 12 seconds. The term “gold” for such an alloy is an advertising ploy that attracts buyers and inspires consumer confidence. The steel used for production is marked 03Х17Н14МЗ or 12Х18Н10. Products from America and Great Britain are marked with the mark 316L. The product must have a stamp, article number, and manufacturer's mark.
Does honey gold turn black?
Products made from medical gold retain their appearance for a long time. They do not darken when exposed to salt water, which can be a good solution for lovers of jewelry on vacation by the sea. The sun's rays also do not cause noticeable harm. Many women have had annoying troubles associated with the loss of their favorite ring or chain at sea. I think it’s a great idea to buy a couple of beautiful jewelry before your vacation that you don’t mind losing because of their low cost.
To read: What is red gold?
Jewelry is not affected by chlorinated tap water, which allows you to fearlessly wash your hands without removing the rings.
The only enemy of products is time. They simply wear out, steel begins to show through the coating, and they have to be replaced with new ones. The alloy cannot completely replace noble metals.
How steel becomes medical gold
As a result of two types of coatings, medical steel becomes similar to gold products. The method of converting steel into medical gold differs in its physical characteristics and can be of two types:
- Gold Plated method – galvanic coating by sputtering. Inexpensive and fragile spraying, which is easily susceptible to mechanical damage.
- The Gold Filled method is the application of gold plating under high temperature (up to 900 degrees). Expensive and durable coating.
This is how a medical gold alloy is formed, which is used in the production of costume jewelry. Manufacturers usually indicate the polishing method on products or instructions for them.
Jewelry made of medical gold
Jewelry craftsmen create real masterpieces from this inexpensive, but durable and sought-after material. Combining matte and mirror surfaces, inlay and engraving, giving platinum color - all these techniques allow you to make rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces unique. In addition, the figures come to life and the roses bloom with gold. And the low price for such products is very helpful.
Customer reviews are positive. In addition to the consumer price, such products have a number of other advantages over gold and silver jewelry.
Advantages and Benefits
As already mentioned, the invention of medicinal gold provided a number of advantages to all jewelry lovers.
Visually, products made from such material are difficult for a non-specialist to distinguish from 750 gold. The most important thing: they do not turn black and remain in their original form for a long time. Even if the owner swims in a pool with chlorinated water and actively plays sports.
It is also important that this is a way out for people who are allergic to all metals except gold. Almost everyone can afford such jewelry.
Reviews
Natalya “I decided to check my rings to see if they were gold. The iodine method works, there are traces left on mine. It’s good that I didn’t think of smearing iodine on a cotton swab, but used a thin needle!”
Olga “I’ve met such shops with medical gold. Somehow I didn’t trust it, I was afraid, I thought it was some kind of fake. Now I understand that it is not a fake, but simply something completely different than gold. I’ll have to buy a set for the holiday!”
Irina “I had a bracelet made of medical gold. I wore it for about a year, most often I wore it in winter, in summer I don’t like jewelry on the skin. The lock was wiped first, then the links that were located nearby. The metal itself under the gilding turned out to be dark. But I enjoyed the year.”
