Different Types of Gold - Gold Bullion

This article describes the what gold is, how gold gets it’s colour, the different types of gold as well as just some of gold’s many uses and applications.

Contents

• What is gold
• Colour
• Types of gold
• Uses and applications

What is gold

Gold is the world’s most malleable and ductile metal. One gram of Gold can be beaten flat into a sheet of one metre square. Gold leaf is capable of being beaten so thin that it becomes translucent.

Gold is easily alloyed with another metal. These alloys can be produced to modify aspects of such as hardness, melting point, or to create different exotic colours.

Colour

Colours of gold alloys - cc

This chart represents the different colours achievable by mixing gold as an alloy with silver and copper.

Whereas most pure metals are gray or white in colour – gold is unique in its yellow colour.

This is determined by the density of valence electrons, which oscillate as a collective “plasma” medium reproduced in terms of a “quasiparticle” called “plasmon”.

Types of gold

Many people think of different types of gold as the different “karat” weight of the metal – which is akin to the purity of gold. 24 karat gold is considered to be “pure gold”.

Alloys with lower “caratage” – most commonly:

• 22k
• 18k
• 14k
• 10k

The alloys contain higher percentages of copper, or other base metals or silver or palladium in the alloy.

Uses and applications

A list of some of the many uses and applications of gold:

• Monetary exchange
  • Gold facilitates the exchange of currency around the world
• Investment
  • Many holder of gold see it as investment, separate in many ways from currency or the stock market – a hedge against inflation
• Jewellery
  • The softness and flexibility of gold makes the perfect metal to use with jewellery. Many people own gold jewellery and it becoming increasing common to exchange or sell gold.
• Industry
  • Gold solder is used for joining the components of  gold jewellery using high temperatures.

Thanks for reading this article on the different types of gold.

Image by BullionVault

Saving for gifts - Christmas presents under the tree

Buying presents for children can be an expensive business – especially at Christmas, when you may have to buy gifts for more than one child at once.

Many people choose to borrow the money that they require, either with a personal loan or a credit card, but this can be the start of a slippery slope, financially speaking. It makes a lot more sense to start saving a few months or even a year in advance, so that you don’t have to pay any interest on a loan, and so that you can benefit from the interest that you accumulate while you are saving.

Generally speaking, the best way to save in the short term is to put money into a high interest savings account. Some savings accounts will pay as much as six percent interest over the course of a year, which can come in very handy indeed. However, the savings accounts that offer the highest rate of interest usually tend to come with some usage restrictions. For instance, some accounts, commonly known as regular savings accounts, require you to put in a certain amount of money each month in order to obtain the advertised rate. Another popular type of savings account, known as notice accounts, require you to give the bank or building society thirty, sixty, or ninety days notice before withdrawing funds, or you will forfeit interest payments and bonuses.

While accounts such as these are all well and good if you are saving over the longer term, they are not particularly convenient if you are saving over the shorter term. In these circumstances, it is best to look for an instant access account with no deposit or withdrawal restrictions that has the highest interest rate that you can find. This really leaves you with two options – fixed rate savings accounts and variable rate savings accounts. With a fixed rate account, you can be guaranteed that the interest rate will not fluctuate over time. However, fixed rate accounts tend to offer lower starting rates of interest than their variable rate brethren. It is unlikely that the interest rate on a variable rate savings account will fluctuate all that much over the course of a few months, so in most cases, this is the most suitable type of account for those looking to save for gift purchases. For more information about savings, visit the Santander website.

Types of Loans

When it comes to borrowing money from a private lender, there are essentially three options available to you: personal loans, secured loans, and credit cards.

Contents

• Credit Cards
• Secured Loans
• Personal Loans

The type that will be best for you largely depends on factors such as how much money you wish to borrow, what you need to borrow it for, your credit record, and whether you own a property or not. Here is a guide to the main types of loan that are available:

Credit Cards

For borrowing small sums of money over a short period of time, you may find that a credit card offers the best value. Many come with a low interest, or even a zero percent interest introductory offer, so if you can pay back the loan fairly quickly, you will not have to pay much in the way of interest on it. However, if you do not pay off the loan quickly enough, the interest can really start to mount, which could place you in a vulnerable situation financially. Also, if you need the money for something that cannot be paid for with a credit card, such as a second-hand item, then it may not be a viable option, as withdrawing cash with a credit card can be hideously expensive.

Secured Loans

A secured, or homeowner loan is one in which the borrower has to put up an asset, usually their home or another property, as security for the loan. If the borrower falls too far behind with the payments, then the lender may repossess that asset in order to recover their money. Because they represent such a low risk to the lender, they are usually in a position to offer high loan amounts and low interest rates, so if you need to borrow a large amount of money, then a secured loan may be your only option.

Personal Loans

A personal, or unsecured loan, is a type of loan that does not require the borrower to put up any assets as collateral. As a result, lenders have to have reason to believe that the borrower will be able to pay back the loan without too much trouble. In order to obtain a personal loan, you need to provide the lender with proof of your income, and they will always perform a credit check to see if you have a history of paying back loans on time. If you have a low income, or a poor credit history, you may still be offered a personal loan, but you will probably only be offered a small loan amount with a high interest rate. For great deals on personal loans, visit the Santander website.

Types.org.uk

Pizza Oven and Cooks

Pizza is a flat, circular, oven baked bread dish, usually topped with tomato, cheese (Mozzarella) and various toppings according to taste and locality.

Since the original Pizza the dish has evolved.

This article lists the different types of Pizza.

Contents

• Neapolitan
• Lazio Style
• Stuffed Crust
• Hot & Spicy
• Vegetarian
• Vegan
• Calzone
• Online Pizza
• Countries with popular regional Non-Italian variations

Neapolitan

True Neapolitan Pizzas are usually cooked with Mozzarella cheese and tomato.

Fine ingredients should be used such as San Marzano tomatoes and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana.

According to the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana the genuine Neapolitan pizza dough should consist of wheat flour, natural Neapolitan yeast or brewer’s yeast, salt and water.

Lazio Style

Pizza in Lazio / Rome – as well as many other parts of Italy is available in two styles:

1. Takeaway shops sell pizza rustica or pizza al tagio. Pizza is cooked in long rectangular baking pans and relatively thick (1-2 cms).
2. Pizza restaurants serve pizza in a dish in a dish in its round shape. It has a thin, crisp base different from the thicker Neapolitan style base.

Stuffed Crust

Pizzas evolved into the 21st century with some creative and original crust concepts. Crusts will usually be stuffed with cheese, tomato or cheese sauce.

Hot & Spicy

Hot spicy pizzas will typically use jalapeño or green chillies. Many spicy pizzas include a meat such as Pepperoni, Beef or Sausage.

Vegetarian

There are many types of vegetarian Pizza around the world.

Western vegetarian pizzas are typically  have plenty of cheese and tomato with a mixture of ingredients often including onion, peppers, sweetcorn, pineapple and if desired jalapeños or green chillies.

Vegan Pizzas

Vegans will need a pizza without use of milk/eggs in the base, nor cheese on the pizza. Sometimes a vegan pizza will include vegan cheese, though often they can be tomato, Béchamel sauce or garlic oil topped to add flavour.

Calzone

A Calzone (Italian for “stocking” or “trouser” or “drooping sack” or “hanging fold”) is essentially a folded Pizza. Made of ingredients similar to Pizza, it is folded to form a crescent shape, then baked in a Oven. It is usually stuffed with Mozzarella, Tomato, and other Pizza based ingredients.

Online Pizza

In the US, UK and in many western countries it is possible to buy online pizza over the internet. Without having to speak to anyone it is possible to order supremely tasty pizza.

Countries with popular regional Non-Italian variations

Various countries have created pizzas very different to typical Italian Pizzas, see the following list:

• Australia
• Brazil
• India
• Israel
• Korea
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• United Kingdom
• United States

Thanks for reading our article on different types of Pizza.

Types.org.uk

Image copyright Aaron Landry

A list of the different types of Businesses.

Contents

• Sole Traders
• Partnerships
• Companies
• Franchises

Sole Traders

A sole trader is a business owned primarily by one person. Typical sole tradesmen professions include locksmiths, plumbers, electricians and similar.

Partnerships

Partnerships are businesses owned by two or more people. Partnerships are typically found in the professional services such as dentists, doctors, solicitors and accountants.

Companies

Companies are owned by shareholders who contribute a stock of money into a central pool. The shareholders receive a share of profits in the form of dividends. An example would be Boots or Sainsburys.

Franchises

A franchise is a form of licensing arrangement under which the right to trade under a brand-name in a locality is bought by an individual or group. The franchisee receives the benefit of the advertising, reputation and supply network of the larger group.

Image copyright Sprengben [why not get a friend]

This article lists the different types of flats / apartments available in the UK.

Contents

• Apartment / Flat
• Studio Flats
• 1 Bedroom
• 2 Bedroom
• 3 Bedroom
• 4 Bedroom+
• Penthouse
• Student Accomodation

Apartment / Flat

A flat or apartment is self contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building.

Studio Flats

A studio flat, also known as a bedsit, is typically a small flat which combines a living room, bedroom and kitchen in one unit, with a bathroom and sometimes a separate kitchen.

Studio flats tend to be the cheapest size of flat to rent.

1 Bedroom

One bedroom flats as in the name have one bedroom, and are suitable for one person living on their own or a couple sharing. They will have either a combined living room and kitchen or living room and separate kitchen; and a bathroom.

2 Bedroom

Two bedroom flats are as above, but suited to two people sharing, a couple, or one person who would also like an additional room for a study or spare room.

3 Bedroom

Three bedroom flats suit 2-4 people sharing depending on the size of the rooms, and potentially suitable for families. Three bedroom apartments / flats in city centre locations will frequently have high rental value.

4 Bedroom+

Four bedroom apartments are large flats, suitable for 4-8 people depending on size, and potentially suitable for families. Four bedroom apartments in city centre locations will frequently have high rental value.

Penthouse

Penthouse flats are situated on the top floor of a multi-story building, and are frequently large and luxurious.

Student Accomodation

Student accommodation in the UK comes in various forms, frequently with an emphasis on shared flats with 3-7 people.

Photo by mkosut

The iPhone was first released in the USA June 29th 2007.

There are currently 4 main types of iPhone: the iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3Gs and the new iPhone 4.

Contents

• iPhone 4
• iPhone 3GS
• iPhone 3G
• iPhone

iPhone 4

The iPhone 4, the fourth and most recent version of the iPhone series was introduced at the WWDC on June 7th, 2010.

The phone started shipping on June 24th, 2010.

The iPhone 4′s features includes the Apple A4 processor, a higher definition 960×640 326 ppi ‘retina’ display, a higher spec 5 megapixel back camera with LED flash, a VGA front-facing camera and a gyroscope which provides greater motion sensitivity.

It ships with the newest iOS version: 4.0.

The iPhone 4 is available in two sizes:

• 16GB
• 32GB

As well as two colours:

• Black
• White

iPhone 3GS

The iPhone 3GS was first announced in June 2009 by Apple for release shortly afterwards in June/July/August 2009.

The iPhone 3GS is available in two sizes:

• 16GB
• 32GB

As well as two colours:

• Black
• White

The iPhone 3GS has an on-board compass allowing for advanced navigation, as well as improved performance and camera.

iPhone 3G

The iPhone 3G was  released on the July 11th 2008.

It is still available in one size:

• 8GB
• 16GB (Discontinued)

With one colour:

• Black

iPhone

The iPhone was originally launched in two sizes: 4GB and 8GB, though the 4GB model was later discontinued, and a 16GB was launched.

• 4GB (Discontinued)
• 8GB (Discontinued)
• 16GB (Discontinued)

Colour:

• Black

This article lists the different types of mobile phones available.

It will also feature some of the main mobile phone manufacturers.

The International Telecommunications Union, a UN agency estimated in 2009 that there are at present 4.1 billion mobile phone users around the world. This figure has increased from one billion in 2002.

Contents

1. Types of mobile phones
2. Mobile phone manufacturers / brands

Types of mobile phones

Smart Phone

Smart phones are high specification phones that operate like miniature computers. They can usually do tasks like connect to the internet and receive emails.

Recent examples of smart phones are the Apple iPhone, Blackberrys and Google Android phones.

Camera Phones

Camera phones come with a built in camera. Some new camera phones are reaching the 12 megapixel mark, though a standard model will frequently between 2 and 8 megapixels.

Music Phones

Music phones will ideally have a good mp3/aac audio player and enough memory to hold a reasonable amount of songs. Always make sure that your phone has plenty of onboard/included memory, or is upgradable to have more memory via an SD/memory card slot. Ideally you will want at least 1-2gb, though it is possible to get up to 16gb.

3G Phones

Phones designed to work on the 3G system. 3G opens up faster communication and browsing speed. Phones frequently feature internet browsing and video call.

Mobile phone manufacturers / brands

• Sony Ericsson
• Motorala
• LG
• Nokia
• Blackberry
• Samsung
• HTC
• Apple
• Google
• Alcatel
• O2

Photo copyright William Hook

This article lists some of the different types of phones available.

Contents

1. Landline
2. Mobile
3. Smart
4. VoIP
5. Satellite

Landline

Landline or fixed line phones are still the most popular phone system internationally.

They generally provide cheaper calls and the line provides higher bandwidth for internet users.

Mobile

Mobile phones are becoming increasingly popular and are soon expected to overtake fixed landline phones in popularity.

Providing a high level of portability and “pay as you go” pricing they are often the choice of younger consumers.

Smart

Some mobile phones have increased in technological ability to the extent that they are essentially more like miniture computer systems.

Smart phones such as the iPhone and recently the Android phones come equipped with GPS satellite navigation abilities, email and thousands of downloadable “apps”.

VoIP

VoIP or Voice of Internet Protocol phones allow people able to connect to the internet to send and receive phone calls.

Skype and Vonage are two of the most famous providers. Users with a VoIP phone or headset can use these networks to internally to the network, as well as to call outside the Skype system to standard phone numbers.

Satellite

Satellite phones can provide mobile connectivity in places where traditional mobile networks cannot reach. Previously satelite phones where very bulky, though some models have since reduced in size to that or normal mobiles, though satellite phones vary greatly.

Since the dawn of man, man has joined other man, and got a little bit tipsy on various unexplainable concoctions of beer.

Even better than that, beer is actually really good.

This article tries to list as any as possible of the different types of beer available in the UK.

Contents

1. List of beers
2. Useful links
3. UK Breweries

List of beers

• Bitter
• Mild
• Lager
• Pale
• Porter
• Stout
• Brown Ale
• Barley Wine
• Wheat
• Fruit
• Smoked
• Vegetarian / Vegan
• Organic
• Low alcohol

Useful links

• Types of beer @ Icons.org.uk
• Beer Expert
• HomeBeermaking.co.uk

UK Breweries

• Brewery List – Braintree Festival
• Quaffale
• Pub Explorer

Photo copyright James Bowe