In the modern world of jewelry, everybody wants something that is very high quality and will last a lifetime. Gold has always been seen as a symbol of wealth, success, and class, which is why it remains one of the most popular materials within the jewelry industry.
There are three types of gold that are seen in elegant pieces, rose gold, yellow gold, and white gold. It is a very soft, flexible material on its own, which is why 18k is the closest to pure gold that you can get. It is a combination of class and success.
While a lot of 18k pieces are seen in yellow gold form, this guide will highlight the key characteristics of 18k gold in general. When looking at pieces that have been made out of 18k, it is worth comparing the quality, durability, and price overall before making your purchase.
Table of Contents
What Are Karats?
Unlike carats, karats are used to describe the gold content within any piece of jewelry. A lower amount of gold does not necessarily mean that a piece is less valuable because it could have a higher carat content. This refers to the quality of gemstones included. In its more pure form, gold alone is incredibly soft.
It wouldn’t be suitable to be made into elaborate, intricate pieces, which is why the karat system has been created to introduce alloys.
This is the name given to the compound created by combining gold with other metals, in order to create something that has the appeal of something made from gold but added strength and rigidity that will allow a piece of jewelry to last much longer.
Durability
It has been argued that 18k gold is a great compromise between durability and sophistication that isn’t necessarily achieved by lower karat count pieces. That said, jewelry that is 18k is less durable because it has a much higher percentage of pure gold.
It really depends on how frequently you plan on wearing a particular piece, but anything that is 18 karats is a lot more flexible.
For this reason, a lot of people tend to save their articles of jewelry for very special occasions rather than wearing them every day. This is also because of the increased price tag that comes with the higher gold content.
Because of the higher gold content, 18k gold jewelry is very easy to tarnish, scratch, or damage. While it depends on how you intend to use your jewelry and when you want to wear it, you might want to consider choosing a 14k gold content if you are someone who is a little more on the clumsy side.
Quality
18k gold has 75% gold content, which is the highest category of gold-based jewelry that is widely available. This is advantageous because it is the purest gold, which makes it the least likely to cause skin irritation.
Being able to guarantee that something is very high quality is definitely a selling point for those who have especially sensitive skin.
Appearance
18k gold is usually seen in its yellow gold form, which is appealing to the eye in the way it shimmers and has its own level of warmth when the light hits it. This is one of the reasons why this type of gold is usually seen in engagement rings.
Compared to pieces of jewelry with a lower gold percentage, such as 14k items, 18k gold definitely has a higher amount of brightness, and warmth to its appearance.
Price
Because 18k gold is the highest in gold-containing jewelry, it is worth noting that it has a significantly higher price tag. Naturally, with the higher gold content comes a higher quality of jewelry, which is part of why they are considerably expensive.
If you are willing to save up for something that is a little more flexible, but is purer, then it could be worth researching how you can take correct care of your new gold jewelry in order to get your money’s worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can You Tell If A 18k Gold Piece Of Jewelry Is Genuine?
Most 18k gold pieces will have a very small indentation hidden on them somewhere. For rings, it is usually on the inside, whereas it might be harder to find it on earrings and other smaller pieces. You should be able to find a marking that says “18KT” or “18K” which will indicate that it’s real.
Will Gold Fade?
It is likely, with regular wear and tear, that fading can happen in some gold-plated items. However, this isn’t something to worry about if you are purchasing gold alloys. The higher the percentage of gold content, the less likely it is to fade or tarnish.
What Is White Gold Made Out Of?
It usually follows the same gold content percentages, but white gold will use nickel and zinc instead of the alloys used in traditional yellow gold. This is what gives it less of a yellow color and more of a silver look.
Summary
There are a lot of things to consider when you are picking your next piece of gold jewelry, including the different types of gold and how the karat content can determine the price, durability, and overall quality of a piece.
18k gold price
18k gold chain
