18-karat gold jewelry is made with the intention to create a good balance between the purity and durability of the metal. Let’s have a look at how this gold alloy is made and see how it differs from the other karats jewelry like 24 karats, 22 karats, 14 karats, etc.
How Much Gold Does 18-Karat Jewelry Contain?
Karat is the amount of gold present in a particular piece of jewelry which is measured out of 24. This means a 24 karat is 100 percent pure gold. whereas the 22 karats would have 22 parts of gold and 2 parts of other metals used to make it an allow out of 24. The case is similar to other karats as well.
If a jewelry item is 18 karats, this simply means that out of 24 parts, 18 parts of the piece are gold, and 6 parts are made up of other metals.
In terms of percentage, 18 karats is equal to 75% gold content (18 divided by 24). The rest portion consists of metals such as copper, zinc, nickel, etc.
The addition of metals in 18K gold makes it harder and more durable than pure gold (24K), which is too soft for jewelry.
Pros and Cons: 18K Gold vs. 10K and 14K Gold
As compared with lower karat gold like 14k and 10k, 18K jewelry has a lot of advantages.
- More purity saves people from an allergic reaction which is sensitive for some people. Lower karats bring rashes which is not good for the skin at all.
- 18k gold has a rich yellow golden color which clearly portrays the purity and beauty of the gold itself. This thing might not be seen in 10k and 14k jewelry
- A 10-karat jewelry piece, which contains 41.7% gold, is made of metals other than gold.
- Compared with less pure alloys, 18K gold is softer and less durable. An 18K piece will scratch and bend more easily than a 10K or 14K gold ring.
Click here to check out the most popular 18K gold jewelry.
18K vs. 22K Gold
A higher karat number of gold has an even brighter color, but it is also more expensive. For example, 22K gold is softer and scratches easier than 18K gold and is more expensive.
Therefore, think twice before going for higher karats, especially if you wear the jewelry a lot.
How to Recognize 18K Gold Jewelry
As long as the piece is stamped with the karat number, 18-karat jewelry is pretty easy to recognize. On the item, you will usually see a stamp such as 18K, 18Kt, 18ct, or something similar.
Some 18K gold jewelry will be stamped with 750, 0.75, or a similar number indicating that the jewelry contains 75% gold (or 750 parts per thousand).
When to Buy 18K Gold
- If you want jewelry that is both reasonably pure and not overly soft, 18K gold is a good choice. Combined with 14K gold, this alloy is a good compromise between durability and purity.
- 14K gold is harder and more durable, of course. Some 14K pieces, however, can cause a rash if you are very sensitive to nickel, while 18K gold is much less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
- It is not advisable to choose 18K gold for pieces that you will wear every day, especially rings or bracelets, which are more likely to get scratched or damaged. In this case, 14K or 10K gold may be a better choice, since they won’t bend, break, or scratch as easily.
- If you are wearing 18K gold jewelry occasionally or for pieces like necklaces and earrings that are less likely to be dropped or bumped, you should choose this metal.
Where to Buy 18K Gold Jewelry
Here we have some greatest choices for you to help you buy wonderful 18 k jewelry. Whether you want to buy it for yourself or give it to an individual, this jewelry will be a great choice for everyone.
Wear this artistic brilliance Personalized Initial Monogram Necklace With Heart 18K Gold Plated and pull off a look like none other. Give someone a piece of your heart in a necklace. Our designers attach your initials to the heart and create a piece so beautiful, that you will hear whispers of envy!
Not only this, we have a variety of 18k gold plated jewelry at GetNameNecklace, Explore Now!
