What Is 18K Gold?

There are many different kinds of materials for making jewelry. But most people prefer 18K gold. What is 18-carat gold? Why people believe that 18-carat gold jewelry offers a good balance between durability and purity? Let’s take a look at why you should choose it.

What is 18K Gold?

A gold carat is a measure of how much precious metal is contained in a piece of precious metal made from it.

If a piece of jewelry is 18 carats, it simply means that out of a total of 24 parts, 18 are gold and 6 are made up of other metals. As a percentage, 18 carats equals 75% gold content (18 carats divided by 24). The other 25% is usually composed of metals such as zinc, copper, nickel, etc.

Gold Colors

There are three colors of 18-carat gold: yellow, white, and rose. The sole variation between these alternatives (apart from the apparent color difference) is the combination of metals alloyed with pure gold.

18K Yellow Gold

The yellow gold tone seems brighter and richer because 18-carat gold contains more gold than 14k or 10k gold. Gold is usually a mixture of pure gold, copper, and nickel, which gives it a warm appearance.

18K White Gold

Pure 18k white gold is a beautiful and elegant choice for engagement rings and wedding rings. White gold is usually a mixture of pure gold, nickel, silver, and zinc. The more nickel contained in the mixture, the whiter the platinum.

18K Rose Gold

Rose gold is a combination of pure gold, copper and silver. It is bright, rich, warm, deep red. Rose gold is one of the most popular choices for engagement rings, wedding rings, and other forms of jewelry.

Pros and Cons of 18K Gold

18K Gold vs. 10K and 14K Gold

18-carat gold jewelry has some distinct advantages over low-karat gold.

Since it is purer, if this metal is present in the alloy, then people who are sensitive to nickel are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. In other words, if you’re allergic to metals, 10K gold coins containing nickel are more likely to develop a rash.

Another benefit of buying 18-carat gold is that its color is closer to pure gold, while the yellow color in 10K or 14K jewelry may not be as intense.

The downside of 18-carat gold is that it is softer and more durable than not-so-pure alloys. For example, a 10K or 14K gold ring will wear out more slowly than an 18-carat gold ring, and an 18-carat gold ring will scratch and bend more easily.

18K vs. 24K Gold

Gold with a Calat number higher than 18-carat gold is purer and more intense in color, but this also comes at a cost. For example, 24K gold is much softer and easier to scratch than 18-carat gold; It is also more expensive.

How to Recognize 18K Gold Jewelry

Identifying 18K jewelry is very simple. Usually, you will see a stamp on an item such as 18K, 18Kt, 18ct, 18k, or a similar variant. Sometimes, 18-carat gold will be marked with a number of 750, 0.75, or a stamp-like to indicate that the jewelry contains 75% gold (or 750 parts per thousand).

FAQs

Is 18K Gold Good Quality?

The answer is yes. 18-carat gold is approximately 75% pure gold. It is an excellent choice for engagement rings and wedding bands.

Is 18K Gold Considered Real Gold?

Yes, it is. 24K gold consists of 100% pure gold, 18K is approximately 75% pure gold. However, because 24K gold is very fragile and easily damaged, it is rarely used in jewelry manufacturing. It’s great for investment, but if you’re looking to wear jewelry, 18-carat gold plating is preferable to 24K gold plating because it makes the item more durable.