This Is What I Dont Understand
If 10K Gold contains MORE Alloys in it than Gold, how can it still be called Gold? Ive always pondered that. 14K I can understand. Theres MORE Gold in 14K than Alloys, but 10K??? I dont get.
The FTC says that in order for an item to be considered GOLD in the states, it MUST contain at least 10 parts Gold . Elsewhere in the World things are different. In France, Gold must be at least 18K . Britain its 9K. Germany 8K. Remember this if you buy Gold on the Internet . Just because its listed as GoldIt may not be.
Also note that other countries may list 14 Karat and 10 Karat as 14 Carat and 10 Carat. The markings and stamps could be misleading.
For durability, 10K is more durable than 14K, but you do sacrifice other things. Things like Color
Gold Purity Vs Durability
Ready? Lets break down the great debate of purty vs. durability. While some favor the purity of higher karat gold jewelry like 18k or 24k, others value the strength and durability of 10k or 14k gold.
How do you make the best decision, then? Ultimately, it depends on what type of item you are buying. We talked about engagement rings, which come into contact with plenty of surfaces throughout the day. What about jewelry that isnt exposed to hard surfaces like earrings and necklaces?
These are the fine jewelry items youll want to splurge on for special occasions and luxury accessories. Youll find 22K and 24K gold jewelry to be more embellished, designer and expensive. Does that mean 24K gold is better than 10K gold? Not at all, its simply more pure.;
Of course, we have to consider that the lower the purity, the lower the value. It really depends on where your interests and priorities lie. Heres some general information and tips to consider when buying gold jewelry:
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Save 22K and 24K gold pieces for special occasion jewelry
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If you want a balance between durability and purity, choose 14K or 18K gold.
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14k gold is by far the most popular jewelry choice in the United States
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10k gold is the most durable and solid gold jewelry available, but the value is significantly lower than higher purity karatages
Now that weve got those details out of the way, lets examine the key differences between each gold jewelry karat, from 10k to 24k.
K Gold Is Too Soft For Jewelry
Pure gold is very rarely used in jewelry because this metal is very soft. As a result, it can easily be scratched.
Not only that since gold is a malleable metal, anything made of 24K gold will bendeasily.
For example, a ring made of pure gold would be too prone to damage, and its parts would wear down very quickly.
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Which Gold Is Most Suitable For Engagement Rings
Shopping for an engagement ring? Theres more to picking the perfect ring than just choosing the right diamond and setting. The type of gold used in an engagement ring can have a huge impact on its appearance, feel and durability. We recently helped two readers find rose gold engagement rings. One reader went with this bold 14K setting while the other went with this, subtler, 18K setting.
Most importantly, making the right choice can help you get the best bang for your buck overall. Take this ring for example. Depending on which metal you choose, the price difference is $400. That means you can get this diamond or if you end up with the 14K version of this ring, you can get this diamond which is a whopping 25% larger while spending the same amount of money.
Contrary to popular belief, theres no single type of gold used for all gold jewelry. The gold used for rings, bracelets, watches and other fine jewelry is rarely 100% pure gold instead, it comes in a variety of different purity levels.
The most common gold purity levels are 10K , 14K, 18K and 24K. Each level of gold purity offers its own range of advantages and disadvantages, from hardness and durability to the risk of certain levels of gold purity contributing to skin irritation.
How 14k Gold Is Made
14k gold is an alloy, which is a blend of metals with a specific formula. ;To change 24k gold into 14k, we need to take pure 24k gold and mix it with the right amount of other metals. ;
For 14k, we need 14 out of 24 parts to be pure 24k gold and 42% to be other metals. ;. ;The 42% other can be made up of a combination of silver, copper, and/or zinc, which add strength to the otherwise soft pure gold.
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How Many Karats Is Pure Gold
Pure gold is 24 karat, meaning that 24 out of 24 parts of the metal are gold. Although the terms sound familiar, the karat system used to measure the purity of gold is different from the carat unit of mass thats used to weigh diamonds.
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Ask Your Jeweler For Input
Reputable jewelers have experts who can help you decide what karat gold would be best for you. Ben Garelick Jewelers has been helping customers in the Buffalo, New York, area for decades with this and many other questions about purchasing fine diamond jewelry. Whether chatting in person or through their online chat, the folks at Ben Garelick treat customers like family, making sure your jewelry investment fits every need. Have questions now? Reach out to them by phone at 631-1584. Whether youre looking at an engagement ring or a birthday gift, they look forward to answering any questions you may have.
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K Vs 14k Gold Vs Platinum
10K GOLD14K GOLDPLATINUM
Platinum is a strong and sturdy metal however, it does scratch a bit more easily than 14K White Gold and will develop a matte finish over time. If you want to get it back to a bright white finish it will need repolishing. We also recommend increasing the band width for platinum to 1.5mm to ensure the ring stays strong.;
COLOR OVER TIME:
Pros And Cons Of 14k Yellow Gold
Being the most popular choice, nearly 90% of all wedding rings and engagements rings sold in the United States consist of 14K gold. Why is it so popular? 14K contains 58.5% gold and is the perfect compromise as its still quite durable and will not easily tarnish.
It also has a beautiful yellow gold color that youll have a hard time telling apart from an 18k. Aside from being a premium gold, it is still comparably cheap.
Theres a huge gap in durability between 14k and 18k as the former will usually take much longer to show visible marks of wear and tear. This is why 14k gold is the best choice for anyone looking for the perfect balance in durability, price, and look.
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What Else Should I Keep In Mind
Durability: While higher karat does indicate the purity of a gold wedding ring, it is very important to consider the fact that as a soft metal, high-purity gold may not be the best choice for everyone. If you work with your hands frequently, or are often exposed to chemicals or abrasives that could damage high-content gold bands, a lower karat-and lower cost-wedding ring might actually be a better choice for you.
Color: The alloys commonly combined with gold are not only used to improve the hardness and durability of jewelry. Depending on the alloy that is used, gold wedding rings can be made into a variety of interesting and beautiful colors. Some of the most common include:
K Vs 14k Gold: Which Is Better
If youre shopping for an engagement ring, earrings, necklace or other gold jewelry, youve no doubt noticed that there are several different types of gold to choose from.;
Most engagement rings are made from 14 karat gold. However, some cheaper rings are often made from 10K gold. Below, weve explained the differences between 10K and 14K gold to help you choose the best option for your tastes, needs and budget.
Are you looking to sell your gold? This article is geared towards helping people looking to purchase jewelry. If you are looking to sell your gold, feel free to hop on over to our Selling Your Jewelry page. If you are looking to sell your diamond engagement ring, we have a specific article for Selling Your Diamond Ring
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Whats The Best Type Of Gold To Buy
The differences between 10k vs 14k vs 18k are very hard to see with the naked eye and most people simply cant tell them apart.;Ultimately, the best type of gold to buy boils down to your personal needs and preferences.
All of them make are great options for engagement ring but my personal pick would be 14kt as it offers an good balance of cost versus usability. And if you can afford the budget, 18kt is an option that offers a little more luxury.
So, which type of metals do you like the most?
Feel free to leave a comment below to let us know why. Id love to hear your thoughts.
Lastly, if you have any further questions on the different types of ring metals,;you can also drop them below;and Ill help you out in a jiffy.
If you are searching for high quality jewelry at competitive pricing, Blue Nile and James Allen are 2 fantastic retailers to check out. They offer a wide range of designs catering to all types of budget.
Which Should I Choose
14k gold jewelry is believed to be the sweet spot, because it balances value with quality. If youre looking for a bargain on jewelry, a 10k gold can be a good choice. However, if youre looking for a sentimental piece, engagement ring, or wedding ring, its best to opt for 14k gold option as this has higher value and can be passed on as a heirloom.
If youre looking for a harder, more durable piece, 10k gold is better, but it can be less valuable since it has lower proportions of gold. Also, there are limited options in 10k gold since most reputable jewelers opt for 14k and higher karat pieces.
At the end of the day, it comes down to your budget and preferences. If durability and a lower price are important to you, go for 10k gold. If you want value, quality and more options, choose 14k gold or higher.
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The Difference Between Gold Gold Plated And Gold Filled Jewelry
If youre the type of person who appreciates vintage and antique jewelry, youve probably come across jewelry thats described as Gold, Gold Filled Gold Plated or one of a dozen other phrases with the word Gold in it. When shopping for vintage and antique jewelry, whether on eBay or in your local antique mall, its important to know the difference between these common phrases. Not all Gold is created equal.
In order to get a real understanding of all these terms, you have to first understand some basics about gold itself.
Gold
Gold is an elemental metal. This means that pure gold is made up of nothing but gold atoms. Other examples of elemental metals include copper ; iron and aluminum .; In its natural form, gold is orangish-yellow in color , has a bright shine , is very soft and is very malleable .
Example of Elemental Gold In Its Natural Nugget Form
When people talk about the Price of Gold or the Spot Gold Price or Gold Bullion they are talking about pure elemental gold. Pure gold is so soft, however, that it is rarely ever used to make jewelry because it cannot hold up to daily use. For example, a pure gold ring would constantly lose its shape and any stones set in it would be at risk of coming loose.; Rather, most jewelry is made from a gold alloy.; An alloy is a combination of any two metals. For example brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Brass is made by melting down copper and zinc and stirring them together.
Indicating Gold Content
Can You See The Difference Between 10k And 14k Gold
The price of gold is currently skyrocketing, and its only going to keep increasing. Many people believe that the inflation in our economy will lead to a collapse in the global monetary system. When this happens, all prices for goods will be inflated including precious metals like gold.
Gold has also been used as currency throughout history because its value never changes. The problem with todays market is that there are many fake versions of real gold jewelry out there which makes it difficult to know what youre buying!
This blog post will help you determine if your 10k or 14K gold necklace is authentic so that you dont get ripped off when purchasing one on ebay or online!
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What Is 10 Karat Gold
10 karat gold consists of 41.7% gold and 58.3% alloy. Interestingly, I find it funny;that people label 10k as gold when the make up;of gold is;less than half;the entire composition.
Because of;the higher composition of alloys, 10k yellow gold jewelry is more susceptible to tarnishing compared to higher karat grades. This is one of the reasons why jewelers;with stricter quality standards;wont use;10 karat gold or lower grades.
In terms of pricing, the discount you get with 10k gold is;minimal;when compared to 14k gold. However, the overall;quality of the ring does take a significant hit;when you go to lower karat grades.
How Long Will 14k Gold Last
There are so many factors to consider when determining how long 14K gold will last. Factors such as the type of ring, the quality of your skin, and how often you wear your jewelry can all play a role in deciding this answer.
However, there are ways to extend the life of your 14K gold items with proper care. The most important thing is that you dont wear it every day which can lead to premature wearing down of the metal.
This is because daily use creates friction between two surfaces which eventually leads to scratches or even pitting on one side or both sides over time. If you have an item thats only worn once every few days then it will last longer than if it were worn everyday for years at a time!
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What Is A Karat
Image via Flickr by S.S.K.
To understand the qualities of gold, you must first understand the meaning of a karat. A karat is different than a carat. While a carat is the recognized standard for the weight of a diamond or gem,;a karat is used to describe the purity of gold, according to Science Notes.
A karat is 1/24th of a portion of gold. While values exist in between, gold is often noted as 24 karat , 18 karat , 14 karat , or 10 karat . ;
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Why Isn’t Pure Gold Used To Make All Jewelry
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 Verdict: Which Is Better 10k Or 14k White Gold
10k and 14 white gold have both pros and cons.
14k is richer in gold percentage.
But this high purity comes with a higher price.
10k piece, besides its lower price tag, is more durable and scratch resistant than 14k one.
10k white gold also has a closer color to white, as it has a bigger amount of white metals in its composition.
Dont forget that if your ring or necklace is rhodium plated, the inner white gold base can only be seen after the outer layer wears off.
At the end of the day, both 10k and 14k white gold are real and both valuable.
Your ultimate decision will come to price and design and personal taste between these close alloys.
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Gold Purity Terminology: What Is Gold Fineness
The measure of gold purity, or fineness, refers to the gold-to-metal additive ratio. Lets look at a few terms that you may come across when studying about or shopping for gold:
- Assay: A test that determines metal content and quality
- Bullion: Precious metals in a bulk, uncoined form such as gold bars, considered in mass rather than value
- Carat: Not to be confused with Karat in North America, a Carat is a unit of weight used for precious stones. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Outside of North America, Carat is used in the same context as Karat.
- Ductile/Ductility: How capable a metal is of being deformed using tensile force
- Hallmark: A symbol or mark stamped on a piece of precious metal that certifies its standard of purity
- Karat: Unit of measurement for the fineness of gold, with the higher numbers containing more gold and 24K being the finest
- Malleability: How capable a metal is of being deformed using compressive force.
- Millesimal Fineness: A system used to show the purity of precious metals by parts per thousand rather than karats
- Troy Ounce: 31.1034768 grams, or approximately 1.09714 standard avoirdupois ounces
- Troy Weight: A system of measurement used for gemstones and precious metals, where a full Troy pound consists of 12 troy ounces rather than the 16 avoirdupois ounces in a standard pound
