| Gold jewelry whether 10k, 14k, 18k or 24k is | | | | nickel, zinc, copper and silver. |
| valuable. But what is the difference between 10k, | | | | The addition of these alloy metal mixes affect the |
| 14k, 18k and 24k gold jewelry anywhere and | | | | ultimate color of the gold. You may have seen |
| what is really in a karat. Your gold jewelry has a | | | | engagement ring sets that use white gold bands, |
| purity level that is determined by the karat. So | | | | yellow gold, or other gold colors. These are |
| let's take a closer look at what this means for | | | | created by adjusting the ratio of the alloys that |
| your jewelry and how you can determine the | | | | are mixed with the pure gold. |
| best karat weight for your needs. | | | | The purity of your gold is determined by the |
| Why Is Gold Jewelry So Popular | | | | Karat weight. Karat is a measure of purity that is |
| It been instinctively attractive for thousands of | | | | measured from 1 to 24. So following this line of |
| years. Gold has been a measurement of wealth | | | | thinking 1K gold would be the strongest but |
| and authority since the beginning of civilization and | | | | contain less pure gold, and 24K gold would be |
| we are instinctively drawn to it. Historically gold | | | | pure gold. |
| jewelry was a convenient means of both | | | | What is the Ideal Karat Gold |
| displaying your wealth and carrying your | | | | So when determining a piece of gold jewelry to |
| accumulated wealth with you for convenient use | | | | buy, you must consider the gold's Karat as an |
| in times of need. The symbolic significance of gold | | | | indicator of it's durability and purity. A 10K gold |
| cannot be underestimated to the human psyche. | | | | ring for example will contain 10 parts per 24 of |
| What is Gold | | | | gold, and will be especially durable for its additional |
| Pure gold, or AU on the periodic table, is metallic | | | | alloy weight but will represent a lower value from |
| yellow in color. AU is a very flexible and soft | | | | a pure gold perspective. Higher 18K jewelry will |
| metal in comparison with other elements. There | | | | provide additional jewelry value significance typical |
| are various other metals that can share the look | | | | of wedding rings or diamond engagement rings |
| of pure gold, pyrite for example, traditionally | | | | because of it's additional value while still maintaining |
| known as fool's gold, but there is no substitute | | | | some of the strength benefits required for ring |
| for 14k gold. | | | | durability. |
| Gold Purity and The Karat System | | | | 14K gold bands and rings are the most popular |
| Gold is a very stable metal in that it stands the | | | | used today as they represent a compromise |
| test of time and is not known to rust, fade, or | | | | between color, durability, and value. A 14K gold |
| diminish. Being of the softer metals it is easy to | | | | engagement ring will contain 14 karats alloy mixed |
| work with and ideal for shaping into beautiful | | | | in relation to pure gold. 10K gold wedding bands |
| jewelry pieces. Being as soft as it is, when | | | | are less popular but will include some cost benefits |
| working with gold, jewelers will mix additional | | | | that ought be considered. Knowing what your gold |
| alloys with gold to strengthen it and increase its | | | | karat is will help you choose. |
| durability. The alloys are typically a mixture of | | | | |