Understanding Gold
WHY GOLD?
Gold is a rare, valuable, durable and versatile precious metal. It is relatively heavy and very malleable (easy to shape).
Gold is also extremely ductile (able to be deformed without losing its toughness). It is malleable, but not brittle.
Gold does not tarnish, rust or corrode. It generally does not irritate as well.
Classic & Timeless; Giving a warm & elegant look, especially when placed on skin.
GOLD PURITY
KARAT vs CARAT
Karats (k), spelled "carats" outside of North America, are the little numbers stamped on a piece of gold. (don't be confused with carats (c) units of mass used to weigh diamonds)
Karat is a measurement of the ratio of gold to other metals or alloys, on a scale from 0 to 24.
The higher the karat number, the greater the gold purity.
The greater the gold purity, the less durable.
24K Gold is benchmark by which gold is measured. It is considered to be "Pure Gold"
DIFFERENT GOLD PURITY
9K | 10K | 12K | 14K | 18K | 22K | 24K
The final colour of yellow gold can be influenced by varying the mixture of other metals.
KARATS | PARTS OF GOLD | PURITY (%) | MILLESIMAL FINENESS |
24K | 24/24 | 99.9 | 999 |
22K | 22/24 | 91.7 | 916/917 |
18K | 18/24 | 75 | 750 |
14K | 14/24 | 58.3 | 583/585 |
12K | 12/24 | 50 | 500 |
10K | 10/24 | 41.7 | 416/417 |
9K | 9/24 | 37.5 | 375 |
24K GOLD
100% Gold "Pure Gold"
Gold that hasn't been mixed with other metals. 24K Gold is extremely soft; bends & wraps easily and has low scratch resistance.
Poor metal for jewellery that need to retain its shape.
The colour of pure gold is much brighter and more orange than the usual gold people associate with jewellery.
Pricey as compared to gold with lower purity. Nevertheless, also best type of gold to sell for cash.
24K Gold is a more popular choice of gold in traditional Chinese wedding jewellery.
18K GOLD
75% Gold
Purest form of gold that is practical to use for watches & wearable jewellery.
Being almost pure, there is very little risk of skin irritation.
Has a rich and yellow appearance, which makes it an attractive material for jewellery.
Higher tarnish resistance
The extra purity can be especially obvious in 18K Yellow or Rose Gold
Warmer, more vibrant tone than 14K.
18K Gold is considered by most in the jewellery industry to offer the best balance of purity and longevity.
14K GOLD
58.3% gold
Cost slightly lesser than 18K. (eg. for the same 2mm solitaire ring, $600 for 14K Gold & $720 for 18K Gold)
Fairly durable & more scratch resistant.
Relatively high pure gold content, retaining the warmth & rich colour. Although it can look slightly dull when compared side by side with 18K Gold.
More likely to result in skin allergies/irritation than 18K Gold.
14K Gold is a good choice for those concerned about scuffs and scratches
10K GOLD
41.7% gold
Least pure, least expensive and most durable form of gold.
Pale appearance & significantly less rich yellow tone than 14K and 18K gold.
Due to the low gold content, it is very difficult to scratch, scuff or bend jewellery made from 10K gold.
Higher content of other metal give rise to risk of skin allergies/irritation, possible skin breakout.
10K Gold is a cheap option for those on tight budget