What’s The Difference Between Karat And Carat?
Carats, or “Karat” you may have heard it said, are used to describe the weight of diamonds and other precious gemstones. In this case, however, we’ll be delving into the term karat, or the measure of purity when referring to gold. The karat scale ranges from 24K to 18K, which is broken into finer parts. For example: 24K gold is pure (100% pure in fact) while 14K gold is 58-62% pure and 10K gold is 41-48% pure.
Gold is one of the most popular metals because it’s incredibly malleable and soft, which makes it easy to work with. It can be molded into many shapes and designs with alloys of other metals, or even shaped by hand. In its pure form, gold is too delicate for everyday wear so it’s often alloyed (or mixed) with other metals like silver, copper, nickel and zinc to improve its strength and resilience.
The most common mixtures of gold are 14K, 18K, and 22K, but 14K and 18K are the most ideal for jewelry.
SO, WHICH ONE IS THE BEST? 24K, 22K, 18K, OR 14K?
Gold is a popular option, especially for jewelry with a vintage-inspired look. Gold has been in fashion for centuries and there are so many variations on the color it can create multiple looks. You might want to consider your budget and how often you’ll wear the jewelry so you can decide whether gold or another metal will best suit you!
If you’re new to buying gold jewelry, you may be confused about what “karat” means. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the different karats of gold you’ll encounter when shopping for the perfect piece: Karat is a measure of purity in precious metals such as gold.
– 24K (100% pure gold)
24K gold is the most expensive and highest karat of gold you can buy, but it isn’t necessarily the best. Pure gold can be easily scratched and bent, so it’s impractical for most daily wear. If you’re planning an event or going to a red carpet, 24K may be what you want for added sparkle.
– 22K (92% gold and 8% alloyed metals)
Alloying gold with other metals is the most common way to increase its strength and durability. The most common alloys are 14 karat, all the way down to 8% alloyed metal that makes 22 karat gold. A modest amount of an alloy like this will increase the durability of your gold jewelry while maintaining its lustrous beauty
– 18K (75% gold and 25% alloyed metals)
Gold filled is a form of gold plating over a base metal, usually brass or copper. It is two to three times thicker than gold plated jewelry and therefore substantially heavier. Gold filled jewelry has always been a popular choice due to the cost-effective price point. It’s also durable and tarnish resistant.
– 14K (58% gold and 42% alloyed metals)
A gold alloy with a higher percentage of karat than 14K gold, and a lower percentage than 18 or 22K. This combination provides the best of both worlds: it’s tougher and more durable than 14K, but has less wear and tear than 18 or 22K. This is ideal for everyday use and is the most popular choice for engagement rings and wedding bands.
IS PURITY DIFFERENT IN GOLD LESS THAN 14K?
We recommend buying 14K or higher purity gold, silver and platinum jewelry. The karat number printed on the item is the purity, e.g., 10K is 10 parts of gold and one part of another metal (silver, copper). In most cases, jewelry that’s stamped with an engraved marker indicating its purity can be identified as fine quality (marked .999 or .750).
Are you looking for ‘cash for gold near me?’ We are here to help you! Our branches are located all across India and we have mobile vans in Mumbai & Bengaluru which are well equipped with modern ultrasonic and XRF machines. You can find us at our branch located in Karol Bagh, Delhi. Walk-in to any of Muthoot Gold Point’s branches located in Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai & Vijayawada and sell Gold to get instant cash.
