A Guide to Gold Jewelry: 14, 18, 22, or 24 Karat Gold? | Brinker's Jewelers (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between 14 vs 18 vs 22 karat gold? ›

22k – slightly lesser purity but more durable than 24k. 18k – 75% pure comparatively more durable than the above types. 14k – 58% pure as an average value but way more durable than the 18k.

Pure gold is notated as 24K – this is the highest karat level for gold meaning it is 100% pure gold. 18K gold is 75% purity level, 14K is 58.3% purity level, and 10K is 41.7% purity level. As you can see, the higher the karat number, the more pure gold comprises the metal.

The price increase isn't exactly linear, either; a 24k gold ring is usually at least twice as expensive as its 14k counterpart. There is one advantage of 24k gold, however. 24k gold tends to have much higher resale value.

24K gold contains 99.9% gold whereas 22K gold contains 91.7% gold. When you are buying a 24K gold coin/bar, always look for a hallmark certification to ensure its purity. It is better to buy gold from a BIS hallmarked jeweller so that you get prevalent value of gold when you sell it.

In the case of jewellery, 22K gold is favoured. As a result, most people prefer 22K gold to 24K gold because it has a higher resale value.

While both are suitable for jewelry you wear occasionally, 14k jewelry is definitely better for everyday wear, such as in a wedding band or engagement ring. In fact, when exploring engagement rings in 14K vs. 18K gold, about 90% of rings in the U.S. are made with 14K gold.

Cost. The price of gold jewelry varies by design, craftsmanship and the alloys used, but as 24k contains more gold than 18k, it is usually more expensive.

22k gold is a good purity for making chains and other Jewelry. It is strong enough to withstand everyday wear and tear, but it is affordable for many people. If you are looking for a gold chain that is both beautiful and durable, 22k gold is a great option.

Since gold is relatively malleable, 24k gold is rarely used for jewelry that you might wear every day, like a wedding or engagement ring, since it's likely it would become misshapen. Adding an alloy like copper, iron, silver, zinc, or nickel makes it more affordable and much more durable and suitable for daily wear.

What is the best quality gold? ›

The highest karat of gold is 24K gold. 24 karat gold is 100% pure and doesn't contain any other metals, making it the purest gold available. This means that it has zero impurities and is usually softer than lower karats—10K and 14K. There are many different karat levels of gold.

18 karat gold comprises 75 percent pure gold and 25 percent other metals like copper, silver, etc. Highly suitable for making studded and diamond jewellery, 18k gold is less expensive than 24K and 22K.

22-karat gold is 91.6% gold and the rest metal alloys, which ensures its hardness. What is 18-karat gold used for? 18-karat gold is 75% gold and 25% alloy metals, which makes it durable and hard. So, 22-karat gold is widely utilized for making rings, watches, and allied wearable jewellery.

The main difference between 14K and 22K gold is the amount of pure gold they contain. 22 kt gold, also known as 916 gold, contains 91.67% pure gold and 8.33% other metals, such as copper or silver. This results in a softer and more malleable gold alloy, with a bright and vivid yellow color.

22k gold is good quality, even one of the highest qualities of gold, despite the small percentage of alloys that exist in its mixture. These alloys are essential to create strength, hardness, and durability for gold jewelry.

If your ring is made of 14K gold, it contains 5.8 grams of pure gold and the rest of it is made up of other metals. That gold is worth about $527.00. If your ring is made of 10K gold, it contains about 4.2 grams of pure gold and the rest of it is made up of other metals. That gold is worth about $237.00.

Gold jewelry should always be stamped with its karat weight (known as the gold hallmark), and is usually expressed by the abbreviation “k,” as in 24k or 14k. Sometimes the letter is capitalized, as in 18K. The most common karat weights you'll see are 24, 18, 14 and 10, although there are others.

Is 14K Gold Pawnable? What is this? It is definitely pawnable, but make sure you're selling it to a respected and well-known dealer. “Cash for Gold” stores are notoriously unscrupulous, so keep your wits about you and make sure to get more than one opinion before you get pennies for your grandma's precious gold.

Some people think it's better to sell an item as they believe you'll get more money for it than if you pawn it. Others believe exactly the opposite. The simple truth is there's no general rule that you'll get more money for either selling or pawning your valuables.

If you plan to buy low and sell high, the annual lowest price of gold generally occurs around the second week of January. From there, the price often makes a steady rise through to the end of the year, with a summer dip in price between April and June.

Is it better to buy gold from a pawn shop or jewelry store? ›

It is more affordable when you buy gold at a pawn shop

Buying gold jewelry from a pawnshop rather than a jewelry store will almost guarantee that it is more affordable. Most pieces available at a pawnshop are second hand, so they are not as expensive as the brand-new pieces you find at the jewelry stores.

18k Gold: Pure and Practical

People with extremely sensitive skin may prefer 18k to 10k or 14k because 18k gold is more hypoallergenic due to less mixed metals and alloys. One may find engagement rings, wedding bands, bracelets, earrings, or necklaces in 18k since 18k gold is efficient for daily use.

Solid Gold (10k, 14k)

Solid gold is a great choice if you're looking for a lifetime piece you can wear everyday and everywhere - yes, even in the shower! Polish with a soft cloth.

18k gold jewellery is durable enough for everyday use because it's strengthened with metal alloys. But it's not the most suitable gold caratage for everyday use. So, to prevent damage when wearing it every day, store it properly and clean it often.

The gold quality is determined by the amount of pure gold in the piece. While white gold may seem like a cheaper option for the same look, it is actually a less strong metal than platinum. Platinum will scratch easier as it is a movable metal, but Platinum is stronger against breakage.

18K GOLD DISADVANTAGES

The primary disadvantages of 18K gold are that it is more expensive and softer. No metal is indestructible; even platinum needs maintenance from time to time. Because of the increased amount of gold, this metal is more prone to dents and scratches.

The country with the purest gold in the world is Switzerland, a country known for paying attention to quality. Below, the precious metals experts from First National Bullion and Coin, the best place to buy gold in Scottsdale, explain why this particular country has an affinity for pure gold.

18-Inch Necklace Length

18-inch, or princess, necklaces are the most popular necklace length.

After a measurement is obtained, its a good idea to opt for a necklace size that is at least the second size up from your neck size. For example, if you have an 18 inch neck, you should probably choose a chain length of 20 inches or more. An 18 inch chain would feel too tight.

Diamond cut chains usually catch the shine better. The small notches cut by a jeweler (the “diamond cuts”) are designed to reflect the light.

Why not use 24 carat gold? ›

Pure gold or 24-carat gold is not used for making jewellery or ornaments. this is because pure gold is very soft and can't be used for making ornaments. so, some amount of other metal (cooperation or silver) is added to make gold a bit harder.

If your gold jewelry is 24k, it's 100% pure—the most valuable. 18k gold jewelry is 75% gold, and 14k gold jewelry is 58.3%. If you're thinking of buying gold jewelry primarily as an investment, then you'll want to choose 24k because that can yield the most return on your investment.

Since 24k gold is 100% pure gold, it is a soft and malleable material. This makes it prone to scratches and dents without the mixture of other metals. For that reason, jewelers do not recommend using 24k gold for your engagement ring, wedding bands, or other jewelry.

Investment grade gold is pure solid gold with the highest purity of 99.99%. This is what is also known as gold bullion and comes in the form of gold bars or gold coins.

The 24-karat gold is of the highest purity while the 22-karat gold is slightly less pure. It is difficult to make and use jewellery made of 24-karat gold as it would be soft and mushy.

18 karat gold is your best all-around gold choice for engagement rings and other fine jewelry. With gold making up 18 of the 24 parts in the alloy, 18K has a gold purity of 75%, or a fineness of 750 (you will sometimes see a purity stamp of 750 instead of 18K).

24 carat is pure gold with no other metals. Lower caratages contain less gold; 18 carat gold contains 75 per cent gold and 25 per cent other metals, often copper or silver. The minimum caratage for an item to be called gold varies by country.

14K Gold Cost

Just keep in mind that 14K gold contains less pure gold, which means it has a higher percentage of additional metals like nickel.

Yes, it can. Even while 18k gold is of greater quality than 14k or 10k gold, it can oxidize and become discolored with time. Take precautions to shield your gold jewelry from the elements and clean your pieces frequently to keep them looking their best for as long as possible.

The only real downside of 14K gold is its potential to trigger skin irritation. Because 14K gold has a higher alloy content than 18K gold, it can occasionally result in itchy, uncomfortable skin if you have a copper, silver, nickel, zinc, or iron allergy.

What karat gold is softest? ›

18k gold is approximately 75% pure gold, making it less durable than 14k gold since it includes more pure gold. The more pure gold there is in a metal, the softer the metal. As a result, 24k gold is the softest choice and is easily scratched and dented.

Due to its low gold content, it's not very popular for engagement rings, wedding bands, or fine jewelry.

If your jewelry is made of pure gold, there is nothing you should worry about when it comes to getting your jewelry wet. Whether it is a gold necklace, bracelet, ring, or earrings, if they are 10K, 14K, 18K, or 22K, gold will not get affected by water.

The 18 karat gold is 75% pure and 25% alloy metals, 22 karat gold is 92% pure and 8% alloy metals, and 24 karat gold is 100% pure. Which gold is best to invest in? If you are looking forward to long term investment then 24 karat gold is the best option.

14 Karat Gold: Valuable, Classy, and Timeless

This gold is a higher-quality blend of gold and other metals and alloys; but it is still affordable for purchasing. Similar to 10k, a 14k gold piece is durable and won't easily tarnish. According to jewelry tradition, 14k gold is the choice for timeless elegance.

A 14 karat gold is 58% gold and 42% alloyed metals. It is the second most popular choice for necklaces and other jewellery because it is a little harder wearing than the 18K. It's ideal for everyday use and is the most popular choice for engagement rings and wedding bands.

Since gold is relatively malleable, 24k gold is rarely used for jewelry that you might wear every day, like a wedding or engagement ring, since it's likely it would become misshapen. Adding an alloy like copper, iron, silver, zinc, or nickel makes it more affordable and much more durable and suitable for daily wear.

The highest karat of gold is 24K gold. 24 karat gold is 100% pure and doesn't contain any other metals, making it the purest gold available. This means that it has zero impurities and is usually softer than lower karats—10K and 14K.

The most important parameter while buying gold is to check the purity of the metal. Gold purity is measured in carats (K). 24K being the purest form of gold. When you buy gold jewellery, the purity is usually 18-22K; other metals are mixed in it to provide strength to it.

Solid Gold (10k, 14k)

Solid gold is a great choice if you're looking for a lifetime piece you can wear everyday and everywhere - yes, even in the shower! Polish with a soft cloth.

How many years does 14k gold last? ›

With care, 14k solid gold can last forever. Gold is one of the most long-lasting materials available for fine jewelry. Even if you have an active lifestyle, solid gold can withstand most elements and still retain the warmth and colour that we all know and love.

The value of a 14k gold necklace can range from about $1000 to $2000. Depending on the quality and size, it can be worth more. The weight of the gold metal and gemstones included in a 14K gold chain will determine the price. The amount of gold per ounce varies, but the price per gram remains the same.

The simple answer is that 24-karat gold is the only type of gold that doesn't tarnish. This is the most traditional form of gold, and it is what primarily comes to people's minds when they think of "gold." 24-karat gold is also the priciest type because it does not contain any other mixed metals.