Gold Types Explained

Understanding gold types helps you make a confident jewelry purchase. Here's what each type means.

Karat Grades

• 24K Gold — 99.9% pure gold. Very soft, rarely used in jewelry worn daily. Most common in bullion and some Asian jewelry traditions.
• 18K Gold — 75% gold. Rich colour with good durability. Popular for fine jewelry and engagement rings.
• 14K Gold — 58.3% gold. The most popular choice in the USA. Balances colour, durability, and price.
• 10K Gold — 41.7% gold. The most durable and affordable solid gold option. Minimum karat grade legally called 'gold' in the USA.

Gold Colours

• Yellow Gold — Classic warm tone, made by alloying gold with copper and silver
• White Gold — Silver-toned, made by alloying gold with palladium or nickel, usually rhodium-plated
• Rose Gold — Pink-toned, made by alloying gold with a higher proportion of copper

Gold vs Gold-Plated vs Gold-Filled

• Solid Gold — The metal is gold throughout. Most valuable and long-lasting.
• Gold-Filled — A thick layer of gold bonded to a base metal. More durable than plating. Must contain at least 5% gold by weight.
• Gold Vermeil — A thick gold plating (at least 2.5 microns) over sterling silver.
• Gold-Plated — A thin layer of gold over a base metal. Most affordable but wears off over time.

When shopping for gold jewelry, always check the retailer's product details for exact karat grade, metal composition, and hallmarking information.

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