Gold Purity Explained: A First-Time Buyer's Guide to Karats
Ever seen gold purity labels like 24k or 22k on a gold jewellery piece you were window shopping for, and had no clue what they meant? Let's talk about it, shall we?
Shopping for gold may not be as easy as going to the supermarket to buy eggs. If you are someone who is just dipping their toes for the first time into the gold market, it can even feel overwhelming. Even as a highly valued, rare, and precious metal, several aspects must be considered to ensure that your gold purchase is worthwhile. That is why having the proper knowledge about gold and the factors to consider when navigating gold stores is so important. Among these considerations, gold purity is easily one of the first things anyone needs to know about - this is where karats come in. In this article, Starlight Jewellery will lay out all you need to know about the purity of the most captivating metal on the planet.
What Is Gold Purity and Why Should You Care?
A part of you may wonder why bother learning about gold purity at all? Isn't having a really good taste in gold jewellery sufficient for a good gold purchase? Well, the short answer is… no. Let's see what it is and why you actually need to care about it.
Gold purity is the amount of pure gold contained in a gold product such as jewellery, coins and bars. If a gold ring has a higher amount of pure gold in it compared to another gold ring, the first would have higher gold purity; just like a chocolate bar with more cocoa would be more "chocolaty" and richer in taste.
Metal Alloys in Gold & Their Importance for Gold Purity
However, just because it is called gold purity, it does not necessarily mean what constitutes the rest of a gold good is impure. Surprisingly, gold is an extremely soft metal in nature, palpable like clay, and ductile like chewing gum. Metal alloys like silver, copper, and palladium are added to give strength and malleability for manufacturing and designing market-grade gold products, such as jewellery and bullion. So, these extra metals do not make the gold impure; they make it better.
Alloying gold gives it durability and even affects the colour of the final gold product. White gold, for instance, has cool-toned metals like silver and zinc as alloys in higher concentration than warm-toned alloys, giving it the trademark fresh silvery hue. On the other hand, rose gold is typically more affordable than other types of gold due to its high amount of copper, a more commonly found metal. However, rose gold has low durability as it is more likely to rust, unlike white gold, which has a protective finish of rhodium.
The combination and amount of each metal used to alloy gold influence its qualities and market factors such as price and demand. The lower the gold purity, the more affordable the gold product becomes.
What Are Karats? (And No, Not the Gem Kind!)
Let's get the confusion out of the way first. We are not discussing the kind mentioned with Zendaya's diamond engagement ring. The carats in diamonds are not the same as karats in gold.
Karats is a standard measurement of gold purity utilised in the global gold market. Karats measure the purity of a gold product by hypothetically dividing it into 24 equal parts. Therefore, when measured in karats, the highest gold purity of jewellery is 24, known as 24k. This means that 99.99% of the product contains pure gold, while the metal alloys we discussed earlier make up the rest to make it stronger. The lower the karat number of a gold good is, the lower the amount of pure gold it contains. Similarly, as the karats decrease, so does the signature yellowish colour and shine often associated with gold. This is because the concentration of other metal alloys increases as the concentration of pure gold decreases.
You may have heard of 22k, 18k, 14k, and even 10k when shopping for stunning gold jewellery. All these represent different karats, hence various levels of gold purity. With all these options, you may be wondering which way to go. So, you now have a clear picture of what karat is and how it is related to gold purity. Let's move on to take a closer look at the various types of gold purity in karats commonly found in the gold market, to understand them better.
Common Gold Karat Types – Explained in Simple Terms
● 24K Gold (99.9% Pure)
Reflecting brilliant golden rays, with the highest content of pure gold, 24k is a timeless purity that remains in demand. A 24-karat gold bracelet or a necklace would contain 99.99% pure gold. Due to their high precious metal concentration, 24k gold products tend to be expensive. However, due to their undeniable shine and appealing look, 24k gold is often used for manufacturing gold bullion or festive gold jewellery. Since 24k gold bullion, such as bars and coins, is valued at higher prices, making them great investment options. Additionally, in many cultures, this type of gold jewellery is considered an auspicious and traditional gift for engagement and weddings.
● 22K Gold (91.6% Pure)
Coming only second to 24k gold in purity, 22k gold translates to a 91.6% gold content in jewellery or bullion. This type of gold is less expensive than 99.9% gold products. However, the shine is almost the same between the two. To a trained eye, 24k might seem a bit more yellow. The demand for 22k gold is relatively high, as it is associated withvtraditional symbolism and meanings, especially in South Asian and Middle Eastern countries. It is more commonly used to design gold jewellery that you love, like rings, bracelets, pendants and even anklets.
● 18K Gold (75% Pure)
With 75% pure gold, 18-karat gold is typically more affordable than higher karats like 24k and 22k, however sports a milder golden colour and is less heavy when worn. This kind of gold has a significant amount of metal alloys mixed with a good percentage of gold, making it an ideal choice for making jewellery with delicate designs. These include wedding and engagement rings with thin bands and simple, minimalistic gold bracelets, with a desirable balance between durability and gold purity. 18k gold is often used as an everyday wear option, as it can withstand damage while bringing the golden hue to the table.
● 14K Gold (58.5% Pure)
As we go down the karats, we come to tip the scales the other way with gold metal and non-gold metal alloys. At 14k, the gold to alloy ratio is almost levelled out; as a result, jewellery made of this kind of gold visibly looks less yellow compared to higher karats. The stunning sparkle you may expect in gold jewellery may start lacking a bit at this stage. However, due to the competing percentage of metal alloys such as copper and silver, the durability of the gold product may compensate for the appeal.
● 10K Gold (41.7% Pure)
Needless to say, jewellery with gold purity of 10k is more affordable compared to the purities we talked about above. The 41.7% percentage means that at this level of gold purity, the amount of metal alloys in the mix trumps the content of pure gold metal. While it may be highly durable, the looks may disappoint some as it lacks both the yellow glow and the blinding shine expected in gold jewellery. Moreover, the sentimental values and traditional meanings are no longer attached to gold at this level of gold purity in most societies.
Which Karat Gold Is Right for You?
When choosing the perfect gold purity for you, you will have to ask yourself some important questions. The answers will lead you to the right decision.
● What is your budget?
Since the price hikes as the gold purity increases, planning your comfortable and realistic budget for your purchase can shape your expectations and help you focus on your shopping without additional stress.
● What is your lifestyle like?
If you have an active lifestyle where you engage in physical labour or activities a lot, then it's better to avoid higher gold purities and go for more durable ones.
● What are your preferences?
If you like the classic gold colour in jewellery, you might be gravitated towards a higher gold purity. Also, if you are looking to resell later, you will benefit more from higher karats as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
● What gold purity is best for everyday wear?
Typically, 18k is recommended for everyday wear, as it provides significant durability and shine.
● Is 24K gold too soft for rings or bracelets?
There is plenty of 24k jewellery in the market. You can wear them perfectly by taking care of them properly.
● How do I know if I’m getting real gold?
Hallmarks given by official bodies indicate authenticity in gold. You can spot 24k as 999, 22k as 916, and 18k as 750.
Some Final Thoughts before Wrapping Up,
Now that you are armed with the right knowledge about gold purity and karats, you don't need to depend on beginner's luck to find your dream gold jewellery this season. Now you know, understanding these concepts that are integral to gold shopping is not difficult, you can use what you learnt to hint down your gold treats. Remember, it is okay to have doubts when you go shopping; use that as a cue to learn more through experience. If you need help, you can always bookmark this article and come back to it! Finally, don't forget to enjoy your gold experience while applying your knowledge.