10K Gold vs 14K Gold vs 18K Gold vs 24K Gold
10k, 14k, 18k and 24k gold are the most common labels for gold items. These aid to help us determine the amount of gold present. Since pure gold is very soft, pliable and therefore not advisable for most jewelry and other artifacts, it’s often mixed with other metals called alloys.
10k gold contains 10 parts gold and 14 parts other substances. In other words, it contains 41.7% gold. The European standard will have a marking of ‘417’ to such gold items. 10k gold items are the most affordable, due to its least amount of pure gold.
14k gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts other components. This means that it has 58.3% of gold. Such items usually have a ‘583’ marking on them under the European standards. 14k gold items are the most common in the US, and is also preferable due to its durability and affordability.
18k gold contains 18 parts gold, while the 6 parts remaining are of other materials. So it has 75% of gold in its mixture. European standards will place a label of ‘750’ on 18k items. These are usually suggested for people with sensitive skin, as it has just the right amounts of gold to avoid irritation.
24k gold contains 24 parts gold and no other substances. Thus, it is 100% pure gold. This is usually reserved for jewelry that are not worn on the hands or those objects that aren’t used frequently. It’s because pure gold is very soft and will tend to deform due to external forces.
The appropriate choice of gold would depend on your needs and the money you have. If you are after affordable jewelry that has a dash of gold, then go for the 10k gold. Most people will opt for the 14k gold as it is perfect for wedding rings and such, and they are also available. 18k gold is fine for those who are willing to spend more bucks on beautiful jewelry and artifacts. 24k gold is usually applied at a small scale and for decorative purposes.
All in all, it is easy to determine which type of gold is right for you. You just need to weigh out your needs and your budget.
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In brief: • 10k gold contains 41.7% gold; it is the most affordable. • 14k gold contains 58.3% gold; it is a very practical choice due to its low price and good quality. • 18k gold contains 75% gold; this is suggested for those with a large budget and aiming for fine quality. • 24k gold contains 100% pure; it is very soft and therefore reserved for objects that aren’t to be used frequently. |