Nearly all of the gold found on Earth today didn't originate here. Instead, it came from meteorites that bombarded the planet. But gold's alien nature hasn't stopped us from making it into coins and jewelry and everything in between.
If you've recently found yourself shopping for gold jewelry, you might have asked yourself the question, what's the deal with 14k vs. 18k gold?
You've come to the right place. We're going to take a look at these different types of gold.
First of All: Karat or Carat?
If you're in the jewelry market, it's vital to understand the difference between “carat” and “karat.” Both terms are units of measurement used in the jewelry industry, but they refer to different things.
“Carat” refers to the size of diamonds and gemstones. It relates to the circumference of a specific stone, which translates to mass measurement.
“Karat” refers to the purity of the gold of a particular object. Most gold items aren't pure gold; they're mixed with other metals to form an alloy. Karats measure the amount of pure gold in the alloy, and the highest possible is 24 karats.
14K vs. 18K Gold
Despite now knowing the difference between “carat” and “karat, “you might still be wondering if 14K or 18K gold is the right choice for you. Let's dive in.
What Is 14K Gold?
14K gold is gold that is 14 parts gold and ten parts other metals. If you translated this into a percentage, a 14K gold ring is approximately 58.3% pure gold.
14K gold is a lighter color due to the other metals added.
What Is 18K Gold?
18K gold will be 18 parts pure gold and six other metals. As a percentage, 18K gold is about 75% pure gold.
Because 18K gold is a higher percentage of pure gold, 18K gold items tend to have a deeper yellow color. There are fewer added metals, so the final piece is closer to the original color of gold.
Which Should You Choose?
14K or 18K gold can each have advantages based on your lifestyle. Let's look at some of the pros and cons to help you decide which is the best option for you.
14K gold, since it's lower in pure gold, can be a more affordable choice. It's also usually more durable than other karats. Gold is a relatively soft metal, so the final product becomes stronger by mixing different metals.
18K gold, on the other hand, has the advantage of purity. While it still has other metals mixed in, its much higher pure gold content gives it the appearance of pure gold. Unfortunately, this can also mean lower durability and a higher price tag.
If you live an active lifestyle or want to have your gold jewelry for everyday use, 14K might be the choice for you. However, if you care more about the aesthetics or the investment, you might want to go with 18K.
Find the Perfect Gold For You
We hope you now understand the differences between 14K vs. 18K gold with these gold buying tips. You have all you need to make the right choice for your next piece of gold.
If you found this post helpful, check out some of our other articles for more tips and tricks!
Matt Hoffer is a crypto enthusiast and gamer. When he's not de-constructing the blockchain, you can find him chilling with some lemonade in the shade or playing a round of golf.
