Gold is a metal mined from the earth that has been used in jewelry for hundreds of years. Gold's malleability (how easily it can be shaped and molded) and its rarity (how unusual it is to be found in nature) have made it a choice metal for engagement and wedding rings. But malleability – one of gold's most appealing attributes – is also its biggest weakness in jewelry. Pure gold jewelry is brittle and susceptible to breaking. Gold is therefore mixed with alloys such as copper, zinc or silver to increase its strength. The proportion of pure gold used vs. alloys used is what determines a gold's Karat (or K) purity.
Gold Purity
Not to be confused with a diamond's carat (weight), a gold's karat (K) is determined by the proportion of pure gold vs. alloys added to strengthen it. Gold purity is measured in karats; the highest karat number is 24K, which is the karat of pure gold. Since pure gold is too soft to be used in jewelry making, gold is mixed with other metals, which make the resulting alloy harder and more durable as jewelry. A higher percentage of pure gold to alloys equals a higher Karat. To determine what gold karat a piece of jewelry is, look for the gold stamp that's on the inner edge of a gold ring. For example:
- 10 karat gold is an alloy made up of 10 parts gold + 14 parts other metals
- 14 karat gold is an alloy made up of 14 parts gold + 10 parts other metals
- 18 karat gold is an alloy made up of 18 parts gold + 6 parts other metals
Karat vs. Carat
Carat refers to the weight of a diamond, whereas Karat, refers to the pure gold content in jewelry.
Is 10K or 14K Better?
In some parts of the world, gold jewelry with a higher karat, such as 18K and 22K, is more is widely sought after. But in the U.S., most people opt for 10K and 14K gold; these varieties are stronger and more affordable than those with higher pure gold content.
My Trio Rings offers both 10K and 14K gold options for all our diamond ring sets. But what’s really the difference between the two?
Is 10K Lower Quality?
You'll notice that 10K jewelry is less expensive than 14K pieces. This makes sense, since 10K jewelry contains less gold. However, keep in mind that in this case, cheaper doesn't mean low quality: 14K gold may be more expensive, but its higher gold content also makes it softer and less durable than 10K gold.
Gold Color
Gold is most often found in yellow, white and rose colors. Since all gold jewelry is made by mixing pure gold with alloys (other metals), this combination of metals is what determines a gold's final shade.
Do Gold Rings Fade?
It's a common misconception that rings which fade are not authentic. But it's not the gold itself that fades - it's the polish that all gold jewelry has on its surface which gives it the lustrous shine. It's important to take gold jewelry in for a "tune-up" from time to time to get a new coat of rhodium, yellow polish or rose polish. Many jewelers also refer to this practices of having gold rings "redipped" which references how rings are dipped into an electroplating solution which is how polish adheres to the gold surface.
Nickel Allergies
Nickel is commonly used in gold alloy mixtures and is also a metal that many people are allergic to. For people with this sensitivity, jewelry made with nickel can cause a skin reaction or rash if the gold polish fades over time.