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When it comes to jewelry, there is a lot of debate about what the best material is: 14k vs 18k gold. Both have their pros and cons, but which one is the best for you?
Here's a look at the key differences between 14k and 18k gold so that you can make an informed decision.
Contrary to popular belief, when you buy a gold piece of jewelry, it isn't necessarily composed of 100 percent pure gold. Instead, almost all gold jewelry is created from a combination of pure gold with a variety of other metals.
This is due to the fact that pure gold is extremely soft. Pure gold engagement rings, earrings, and other jewelry are exceedingly easy to scratch, scuff, dent, and distort, frequently just by brushing against another surface.
There's also the color issue: pure gold is closer to orange in color than the warm gold color most of us associate with gold jewelry.
As a result, modern gold jewelry incorporates gold that has been combined with other metals. The karat system is used to determine the purity of this gold, which tells you what proportion of any type of gold is pure gold.
The karatage of gold is measured in parts out of 24. Pure gold, for example, is 24K because it is made up of 24 components, each of which is pure gold.
18 karat gold jewelry is made up of 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts other metals. These metals could include nickel, silver, copper, zinc, and palladium, depending on the color of the gold (for example, white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold). 18 karat gold jewelry is 75 percent pure gold when expressed as a percentage.
14K gold, on the other hand, is made up of 14 parts pure gold and 10 parts other metals, with the proportions of the other metals fluctuating depending on the color of the gold. Pure gold accounts for 58.3 percent of the total metal in 14K gold jewelry when expressed as a percentage.
One difference between 14k and 18k is the color. An alloy with a higher gold content will have a hue that is closer to pure gold. As a result, 18K gold jewelry appears more saturated, rich, and yellow than 14K gold jewelry.
Similarly, unlike 14K white gold, which has a warmer white, 18k white gold will have a whiter white. Finally, 18K rose gold will be more peachy, whereas 14K rose gold will be more pink.
Note: You'll have to look closely at 14K and 18K jewelry to detect the difference, as the metal alloys used have an impact on how they look.
Because 14K gold jewelry, such as 14k gold hoop earrings, is more durable than 18K gold jewelry, many people prefer it. This is due to the fact that the latter contains more pure gold and is softer than the former. Because 18-karat gold is less flexible than 14-karat gold, it bends and wears out faster.
If you want to invest in gold jewelry, it pays to know the hypoallergenic features of 14K vs 18K gold earrings to determine the better option.
In lower-karat gold jewelry, the amount of nickel may be higher. People who have allergies can be sensitive to 14K gold earrings due to this nickel content.
If you want to invest in gold earrings and are prone to allergies, 18K gold may be a better option. 18K gold earrings contain less nickel than 14K gold and are therefore hypoallergenic for many people. However, everyone’s body chemistry is different, so it’s important to do your own research to see if 18K gold is right for you.
If you still want to go with 14K gold jewelry due to its durability and price, we suggest you go for a piece marked as nickel-free to ensure the alloy doesn’t cause a problem.
Regardless of the karat, it is important to get your gold jewelry from a reputable source. This will ensure you receive high-quality gold that is allergy-free.
The answer to this question is highly dependent on the type of jewelry you're looking for.
For example, a pair of 14K gold hoops are more durable than a pair of 18K gold hoops, so it's a fantastic option if you want something to last a long time. 18K gold, on the other hand, contains more pure gold content and is hence frequently regarded as of greater quality. 18k gold hoops will also have a color that is more vibrant than 14K gold.
If you want a pair of hoops that will endure a long time and has a classic look, 14K gold hoops may be the best choice. 18K gold may be a better option if you want something with a little more luxury and a very rich color.
Gold prices fluctuate, so it's difficult to give a definitive answer. However, generally speaking, 18-karat gold is more expensive than 14-karat gold because it has a higher gold content.
Always look for jewelry hallmarks to ensure you are getting what you pay for. 14k and 18k gold will both be stamped with a number that designates the karat weight.
You should be aware that there is another method to express gold purity, which is to use the percent amount of gold. This marking type is most frequently used by European jewelers, so if you want to buy gold in a foreign market, it's good to know how the system works.
The first thing to note is that 24K gold is pure and contains 99.9 percent gold, which is denoted by 999. Adding additional metals to the mix lowers the proportion of gold. While the two marking systems may be different, they both mean the same thing in terms of quality.
Let's say you are shopping for a pair of 14 or 18k gold hoop earrings. When you spot a pair of 18k gold hoop earrings that you like, look for the fineness mark 750. This signifies the hoops contain precisely 75% gold & 25% contain other metals, making them legit 18k gold.
14K gold hoop earrings, on the other hand, are made up of 14 parts pure gold and 10 parts other metals. When you spot a pair of 14k gold hoop earrings that you like, look for the fineness mark 585. This signifies the hoops contain precisely 58.5% gold & 41.5% other metals.
There is a lot of information to take in when it comes to understanding the difference between 14k and 18k gold jewelry. Hopefully, this article has helped to clear up any questions you may have.
