Gold jewelry is very classic and popular, and there are many different types of gold jewelry: gold rings, gold necklaces, gold bracelets/bracelets, gold earrings, etc. When buying gold jewelry you’ve likely seen the options 10K, 14K, 18K, and 24K gold. But do you know the difference between them? In this article, learn about 10K vs. 14K vs. 18K vs. 24K gold and explore their differences.
Table Of Contents
What is K Gold?
K gold is an alloy made by mixing gold with other metals, as gold has a Mohs hardness of only 2.5, and by mixing other metals, the amount of gold is reduced to increase its hardness. The “K” in karat gold means “Karat” and is usually used to indicate the purity of gold. Therefore, karat gold with different gold purity is divided into 10K, 14K, 18K, 24K gold, etc. (24K gold has about 100% gold purity, so it is also known as pure/ full/ solid gold).
Difference Between 10K vs. 14K vs. 18K vs. 24K Gold
We will analyze the differences between 10K, 14K, 18K, and 24K gold in four key areas: purity, color, hardness, and price.
10K vs. 14K vs. 18K vs. 24K Gold in Purity
The numbers 10, 14, 18, and 24 in 10K, 14K, 18K, and 24K gold represent the proportion of gold in the alloy. 24K gold is pure gold with 100% purity, so we can use 24 as the denominator to calculate the purity of different gold proportions. The purity of 18K gold is (18/24) * 100% = 75%; similarly, the gold purity of 14K gold is 58.3%, and the gold purity of 10K gold is 41.7%. There are other purities of karat gold, such as 22K, 16K, and 8K, all of which can be calculated using this method to determine their gold purity. The remaining proportion of these karat golds, which is less than 100%, is composed of a mix of metals such as Silver(Ag), Zinc(Zn), Copper(Cu), Palladium(Pd）, and Nickel(Ni).
| Types | Gold Proportion (Gold Purity) | Other Metals Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| 24K Gold | 100% | 0% |
| 22K Gold | 91.6% | 8.4% |
| 18K Gold | 75% | 25% |
| 16K Gold | 66.7% | 33.3% |
| 14K Gold | 58.3% | 41.7% |
| 10K Gold | 41.7% | 58.3% |
10K vs. 14K vs. 18K vs. 24K Gold in Color
Karat gold is a mixture of gold and other metals, thus its primary hue is yellow. The amount of gold content directly affects the brightness of its color; the higher the gold content, the more pronounced the yellow color will be. 24K gold is the purest and has the brightest yellow color. Consequently, the yellow hue of 18K gold is more pronounced than that of 14K gold, which is more pronounced than that of 10K gold (24K gold > 18K gold > 14K gold > 10K gold).
Why Does Karat Gold Appear in Colors Other Than Yellow?
The combination of different proportions of other metals with gold affects the color and physical properties of karat gold. For example, rose gold gets its color from the Copper(Cu) content, with higher Copper(Cu) content resulting in a deeper rose color. White gold contains Nickel(Ni) and Palladium(Pd) and is often plated with Rhodium(Rh) to achieve a platinum-like white shine. Purple gold contains Aluminum(Al), which gives it its distinct color.
Note: Only pure gold can be called 24K gold, so except for yellow gold (original color), all other colors are not 24K. This is because all other colors require the addition of other metals to eventually form an alloy rather than pure gold.
Related reading: White Gold vs Yellow Gold vs Rose Gold
10K vs. 14K vs. 18K vs. 24K Gold in Mohs Hardness
The higher the proportion of other metals in karat gold, the harder it is. Therefore, the Mohs hardness follows the order: 10k > 14k > 18k > 24k. The smaller the number, the greater the Mohs hardness. The Mohs hardness of gold is 2.5, thus the Mohs hardness of 24k gold is 2.5. According to the “ASM Handbook” published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the hardness values for karat gold are as follows: 18k gold has a hardness of 2.5-3, 14k gold has a Mohs hardness of 3.5-4, and 10k gold has a Mohs hardness of 5-5.5. These values are derived from professional experimental data.
Note: The higher the Mohs hardness only, the greater the durability.
10K vs. 14K vs. 18K vs. 24K Gold in Prices
The price of karat gold is calculated based on the real-time gold price and the purity of the gold, the higher the purity the more expensive the price. Therefore the price comparison of 10K vs. 14K vs. 18K vs. 24K gold results in 24K > 18K > 14K > 10K. For those seeking cost-effectiveness, 10K and 14K gold are the optimal choices.
How to Calculate K Gold Price?
Example: If the current price of gold on the New York Stock Exchange(NYSE) is $2000 per ounce, how much would 3 grams of 10K gold cost?
Solution: Price per gram of 10k gold = 2000÷28.35×41.7%×3≈99.68($)
Solution Explanation:
- First, we need to calculate the price per gram of gold by converting the weight from ounces to grams. 1 ounce ≈ 28.35 grams, so the price per gram of gold = real-time gold price ÷ 28.35, i.e., 2000÷28.35.
- Second, given that 10K gold purity of 41.7%, the price per gram of 10K gold = price per gram of gold × gold content, i.e., 2000÷28.35×41.7%.
- Finally, the price of 3 grams of 10k gold = price per gram of 10K gold * weight in grams, i.e., 2000÷28.35×41.7%≈99.68.
Note: Real-time gold prices can be checked online. The final price you pay might be higher due to the cost of other metal elements and the fees for processing and refining.
10K vs. 14K vs. 18K vs. 24K Gold: Which Is Better?
Each of these karat golds has its pros and cons, and the choice depends on your budget and preferences.
10K Gold Pros and Cons
Pros: High durability, hardness, resistance to scratching and deformation, low price, suitable for those with a low budget.
Cons: Lower gold content, lighter color, and a higher percentage of other metals which may cause allergies.
14K Gold Pros and Cons
Pros: Cost-effective, balances durability with gold purity, brighter color than 10k gold, suitable for daily wear, meets most needs.
Cons: Lower gold purity than 18k and 24k gold, but still contains a significant amount of other metals which may cause allergies.
18K Gold Pros and Cons
Pros: Higher gold purity, brighter color, higher jewelry quality, lower chance of causing allergies.
Cons: Less durable, higher price compared to 10k and 14k gold.
24K Gold Pros and Cons
Pros: Highest purity, most vibrant color, suitable for investment and collection, almost no risk of causing skin allergies.
Cons: Softer, more prone to scratching, not suitable for daily wear, not ideal for intricate jewelry designs, expensive.
About Karat Gold FAQs
Why Do Jewelers Usually Use 10K, 14K, and 18K Gold to Make Jewelry?
Pure gold (24K) is relatively soft, while gold content below 10K is considered too low. Therefore, 10K, 14K, and 18K gold are commonly used.
Is Karat Gold Real Gold?
Yes, karat gold is real gold. 24k gold is pure gold, and the different karat values represent different levels of gold content.
10K, 14K, 18K, and 24K Gold, Which is the Most Durable?
The most durable is 10K gold because it has the highest Mohs hardness
10K, 14K, 18K, and 24K Gold, Which is the Most Expensive?
24K gold is pure gold with 100% purity, making it the most expensive and the most valuable for investment.
What Colors Does K Gold Come In?
K gold comes in many colors. Common colors include yellow, white, and rose, but it also include black, green, blue, purple, etc. Depends on the other metals contained and their proportions.
Is 14K or 18K Better?
14k gold is typically harder and more durable, but it has less gold purity compared to 18k gold, making it less valuable for investment. The choice depends on your needs. If you require a ring for long-term wear, 14k gold is more suitable.
Why is 14K Gold Cheaper Than 18K Gold?
The price of karat gold is calculated based on the gold purity. The higher the gold purity, the more expensive it is. Therefore, 14K gold, which has less gold content than 18k gold, is cheaper.
Is a 14K Gold Ring Suitable for Everyday Wear?
Yes, a 14K gold ring is suitable for everyday wear and is one of the popular choices for engagement and wedding rings.
Which Karat Gold is Best for Fine Jewelry Design?
18K gold is best for fine jewelry design. With 75% gold content, it has a good balance of value, color, and luster. Its hardness, compared to 24K gold, can handle the demands of intricate fine jewelry designs.
Conclusion
10K, 14K, 18K, and 24K gold are all popular choices for karat gold, each with its own merits. Whichever you choose, it will be the best option for your needs at the time. MollyJewelryUS offers 10K, 14K, 18K, and 24K gold engagement rings, wedding rings, necklaces, and fine jewelry custom. Come and find your perfect gold jewelry!