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Are you looking for gold-based jewelry? An engagement ring? A golden gift for someone? Or to reward yourself? Then it would be best for you to make the right choice while purchasing gold according to your use and need. Firstly gold is available in different Karats, so which Karat should you choose? Which one perfectly suits your purpose? This article will clear all your queries about types of gold. And for takeaway, you’ll be clear about the differences between Color Gold 14K 18K 24K at the end.

So, firstly let’s start with Karat.

What is Karat?

If you were wondering what it is? Karat is a measuring unit for the purity of gold. Yes, the more the Karat, the purer the gold. Therefore as the Karat lowers down, the purity of the gold is also reduced by some percentage.

Specifically, a 24K gold has 4.1667% of a pure gold alloy, which means 99.9% of pure gold. However, 18K gold is only 75% pure, and the rest can be some metal. Similarly, 14K gold is around 58% pure, and the rest is impurities (i.e., metal of some type).

Hence, in simple words, though 24K gold is pure, 18K gold is 18/24 parts pure, and 14K gold is 14/24 parts pure. However, there are differences in the color of the gold. Let’s discuss them in detail.

To begin with, starting with 24K gold would make it easier for you to understand further.

24K Gold Color

Since we all know gold is malleable, 24K gold with no impurities is not a hefty task for jewelers to make yet; it’s tough to find usually because its cost touches the sky. Due to its purity, 24K gold is much vulnerable to scratch or bend, so it’s not ideal to use it for wear.

However, 24K gold color and brightness are exceptional, being bright orangish-yellow. It’s pleasing to see. You can think of it if you want to invest in gold or keep it as a family symbol as its resale value is excellent.

18K Gold Color

18K gold is the perfect choice if you are in search of an engagement ring. It’s bright yellow with a golden tone. In terms of durability, it’s 75% pure gold and 25% impurity making it much stronger than 24K gold and considered a perfect balance for occasional purposes.

You’ll be able to differentiate 18K and 24K gold easily when kept side by side as the intensity of its color lowers due to 25% alloy metal.

14K Gold Color

With around 58% of pure gold and 42% of alloy metals, it turns out the strongest among 18K and 24K gold. In addition, it might fit your budget too. It is also the most commonly used gold in jewelry, the reason being durable, strong, and budget-friendly.

And here, you might not get the brightest gold color, but it might not be such a problem for most people. Furthermore, due to 42% of alloy content, it might be allergic for people with sensitive skin.

Conclusion

• In conclusion, you cannot use 24K gold for jewelry purposes as it’s too soft for that. 
• The color is acceptable until 18K gold, but below that, it isn’t that eye-catchy.
• Choosing a perfect piece of gold not only depends on karat, but you also have to choose the gold coupled with quality alloy metal.
• Usually, jewelers use metals like zinc, nickel, silver, and palladium as alloy metals in gold.
• If you have sensitive skin and allergic to metals like nickel, you better avoid the gold with the same alloy metal, or you might have to go for higher karat.