18K gold is one of the best choices for an engagement ring, wedding band or other piece of fine jewelry. Because of its 75% gold content, 18K gold has a richer, warmer color than 10K and 14K gold, making it a good choice if you want your setting to have a rich, impressive color tone.
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What is 18K gold?
Is 18k gold pure gold?
What color is 18K gold?
What is the price of 18K gold?
When is 18K gold the right choice?
18 karat gold refers to metal that is made up of 75% pure gold and mixed with 25% of other metals (zinc, nickel, copper and rhodium are the usual choices). The added metal makes 18K gold jewelry stronger and less prone to scratches and warping than jewelry made of pure gold.
In the United States, 10K gold is the lowest level of purity that’s allowed to be marketed as gold. 18K gold significantly exceeds this standard.
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18K gold is one of the most popular types of gold used to produce engagement rings, wedding bands and other high-end jewelry. It offers the highest level of gold purity that’s still durable enough to be practical for everyday wear.
Beyond engagement rings and wedding bands, 18K gold is also extensively used in other high-quality products. For example, high-end watchmakers such as Rolex and Patek Philippe make extensive use of 18K gold in their dress timepieces.
Gold is one of the most malleable metals, making it a popular choice for fine jewelry dating back as far as 4,000 B.C.
All gold used in jewelry is categorized using the karat system. Unlike carats, which are a unit for measuring the weight of a diamond or other gemstone, the karat system measures the purity of gold.
The purest gold is rated 24K, meaning that 24 out of 24 parts are pure gold. 18K gold is, as you have probably already worked out, a type of gold that’s 18 parts gold mixed with six parts other materials.
In its pure form, gold is extremely soft. This makes it easy to scratch, which is obviously a huge disadvantage for a piece of fine jewelry. Pure 24K gold is also easy to bend and warp, making it a poor choice for engagement rings, wedding bands and items pieces that are worn daily.
There’s also the color factor. Pure 24K gold is extremely bright and orange, giving it a color that, to most people, is too bright for an engagement ring or other jewelry.
Because 18K gold is more pure than 14K and 10K gold, it’s also more expensive. Assuming you choose a simple setting that doesn’t include any pavé or halo diamonds, you’ll generally need to spend about 50 to 150% more for 18K gold as you would for the same setting in 14K gold.
In general, pricing for 18K gold is consistent for all colors. While you might see a small change in pricing between white, yellow and rose gold, it’s uncommon for one color to cost significantly more than another at this purity level.
One important thing to keep in mind is that, as a commodity, the price of gold fluctuates significantly. As the World Gold Council explains, gold has both a spot price and regional prices, meaning the amount you will need to pay for 18K gold jewelry will likely vary based on the specific time you make the purchase and your location.
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Get an OfferAs we mentioned above, 18K gold is made up of 18 parts pure gold, mixed with six parts other metals such as zinc, nickel, silver and copper. Some types of 18K gold are also plated using a metal called rhodium, a corrosion-resistant element that protects the gold from wear.
18K gold is 75% pure gold. In comparison, 14K gold — another popular type of gold that’s widely used for jewelry — is 58.3% gold. 10K gold, which is typically the least pure, least expensive and most durable form of gold used in jewelry, is just 41.7% pure gold.
We’ve explained how these purity differences affect the appearance, durability and value of gold in more detail in our 10K, 14K, 18K and 24K gold comparison.
As with other types of gold, 18 karat gold is produced in three different colors: white gold, yellow gold and rose gold. Each color has a different chemical composition, with different metals used in different quantities to give each color its unique appearance.
There’s no optimal color for 18K gold, meaning you should choose the color that you think looks the best for you or your fiancé-to-be. To help you make the best decision, we’ve listed several of the main advantages and disadvantages of each 18K gold color below.
18K white gold is made using a blend of pure 24K gold with other metals such as silver, nickel and palladium. A rhodium coating is applied to most 18K white gold to protect it from corrosion and improve its durability.
Since white gold is an alloy of pure gold and other metals, there’s no such thing as “pure” white gold. All white gold, regardless of its karat number, is an alloy.
18K yellow gold is made using a blend of pure 24K gold and other metals such as copper and silver. Most types of 18K yellow gold are made from 75% pure gold mixed with 12.5% copper and 12.5% fine silver.
Some darker variations of yellow gold are made with a 15% copper content, with silver reduced to 10% of the alloy. 18K yellow gold is one of the most common metals used for rings and other types of fine jewelry.
18K rose gold is made using a blend of pure 24K gold and copper. “Rose gold” refers to all red, rose and pink shades of gold. The specific color of rose gold can vary based on the quantity of copper in the alloy — the more copper, the stronger the red color of the gold.
Most of the time, 18K rose gold consists of 75% gold, 22.25% copper and 2.75% silver. 18K red gold doesn’t contain any silver and instead consists of 75% gold and 25% copper. Pink gold has a higher silver content, giving it a lighter tone and a less pronounced red color.
Like white gold, there’s no “pure” rose gold. This type of gold is always an alloy, with the specific color varying based on the ratio of copper to silver.
Most engagement rings, wedding bands and other jewelry are made from 14K gold, although 18K gold is also a popular metal.
As a general rule, 18K gold is a good choice for engagement rings, wedding bands and other jewelry if you want the highest possible level of purity while still retaining a reasonable level of durability. However, it’s not always the best choice.
18K gold has a warm, rich appearance. This is most obvious with yellow and rose gold, which both have a deeper hue than the same colors in 14K. If you or your fiancé-to-be are allergic to metals like nickel or copper, 18K gold might also be less likely to cause a reaction.
However, 18K gold is also softer and easier to scratch than 14K gold. If you or your fiancé-to-be have an active lifestyle or work in environments with lots of surfaces that could scratch or dent a ring, 14K gold could be a better choice.
As we mentioned above, there’s also the cost factor. Not only is 18K gold less durable than 14K gold — it’s also about 50 to 150% more expensive.
While 18K gold isn’t the most popular choice for engagement rings and other everyday jewelry, it is a popular choice for earrings, bracelets, and other jewelry that’s worn occasionally.
Need help choosing the right type of gold for an engagement ring, wedding band or other piece of fine jewelry? Learn more about 10K, 14K and 18K gold in our comparison guide or reach out to our experts for personalized advice on the best jewelry for your tastes and budget.
Both 18K and 14K gold are combined with other metals to create a “gold alloy”. 18K gold is purer then 14K gold in that it contains a higher percentage of pure gold. 18K gold is made up of 75% gold and 25% other metals while 14K gold is made up of 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% other metals.
Because gold is a relatively soft metal, the alloy is created to make the gold harder and more durable.
The most common ways to check if your 18K gold is real include:
1) Checking for hallmarks
2) Using a magnet – real gold will not attract a magnet.
3) Place your gold in nitric acid and see the reaction. If there is no reaction, this is a sign that gold is at least 18K. If the metal starts to turn green, it’s a sign that the metal is lower then 18K
Yes, gold is a precious metal. There are four primary precious metals, gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
Gold jewelry, including 18K gold, can be safely cleaned with a mixture of liquid soap and water.
1) Mix some liquid soap with room temperature water.
2) Soak the jewelry in the mixture for about 15 minutes.
3) Rinse off the jewelry and scrub with a Q-Tip or soft toothbrush
4) Dry
While all gold jewelry can experience some change in color over time, 18K gold is generally considered a higher quality than 14K gold and is less likely to tarnish.
An allergic reaction is possible with any metal. Often the reaction to gold jewelry is actually caused by nickel which is mixed in to the gold alloy. Since 18K gold has a higher percentage of pure gold, it is likely that it will cause less sensitivity then a lower karat such as 14K gold.
14K and 18K gold are both commonly used for engagement rings — in fact, they’re both highly popular options for engagement ring settings. Both have their own unique pros and cons, from appearance to cost, durability and more.
Although 18K gold is more expensive than 14K gold, it’s still reasonably priced and offers great value for money. In general, 18K is the highest gold purity level that still remains durable enough for everyday wear, making this the option to go for if you want a pure, durable ring.
Looking for an 18K gold engagement ring? Consider a stunning 18K yellow gold petite pavé ring like this one from James Allen or a beautiful 18K white gold solitaire setting like this one from James Allen. For personalized help, contact our experts and we’ll help you find the best ring or other jewelry for your tastes and budget.
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