GOLD PURITY AND COLOUR GUIDE

Gold, just the word brings to mind value, rarity, wealth, beauty and jewellery. But what is gold? Gold is a beautiful metal that is used to make timeless jewellery. Gold can be bent and molded into elegant engagement rings to show the eternal affection of one person to another. Gold is an expression of love.
 
The Different Karats of Gold

Karat is the term used to measure the gold content or purity. Before we understand the difference between 24k, 22k and 18k gold, you must know what karat stands for. Karat is basically a unit used to measure the purity of gold. The higher the karatage, the purer the gold. Here’s a simple guide to understanding the difference between 24k, 22k and 18k gold.
 
24K gold

24k gold is also called pure gold or 100 per cent gold. This means that all 24 parts in the gold are all pure gold without traces of any other metals. It is known to be 99.9 per cent pure and takes on a distinct bright yellow color. There is no higher form of gold than 24K. Since this is the purest form of gold, it is naturally more expensive than 22K or 18K gold. However, this type of gold is lesser in density as compared to gold of a lower karatage which makes it soft and pliable. Hence, it is not suited for regular forms of jewellery. Coins and bars are mostly bought of 24K gold purity.
 

22K gold

22K gold jewellery implies that 22 parts of the jewellery amounts to gold and the balance 2 parts are some other metals. This kind of gold is commonly used in jewellery making. In 22K gold, of the 100 per cent, only 91.67 per cent is pure gold. The other 8.33 per cent comprises metals like silver, zinc, nickel and other alloys. It is this addition of metals that make the texture of gold harder thereby making the jewellery durable. However, you must know that although this can be used to make plain gold jewellery, 22K gold isn’t preferable for diamonds and heavily studded jewellery.


18K gold

18K gold is 75 per cent gold mixed with 25 per cent of other metals like copper or silver etc. Usually studded jewellery and other diamond jewellery is made in 18K gold. This kind of gold is less expensive compared to 24K and 22K. They are slightly dull gold colour and you will see these item stamped with 18K, 18Kt, 18k or a variation similar to these. At times, 18K gold is marked by 750, 0.75 or a stamp similar to these in order to symbolize that the jewellery contains 75 per cent gold.

 
The Different Colours of Gold

24 karat gold has the natural warm colour of pure gold and its colour cannot be changed without changing the purity to less than 24 k. Other colours of gold can be made by changing the composition of the alloy in the making of the jewellery.

White gold
White gold is a mixture of gold and one or more other metals, usually palladium or nickel. The component metals and their properties largely determine what type of jewellery is made. For example, nickel is added to make the jewellery hard and durable, so this combination is great for rings and pins. Palladium with gold, on the other hand, produces a soft metal that is often used for gemstone settings.
 
White gold jewellery is often plated with rhodium to enhance the durability. Rhodium is a member of the platinum family of metals. This plating if often used because it resists tarnish, scratches, and gives a smooth shine to the jewelry. White gold is available up to 21 karats. Most engagement rings are 14k or 18k. White gold is often used to enhance diamonds and other gemstones. Rose Gold
Rose gold, pink gold, and red gold are all made of the same metals – gold and copper. This is another type of gold alloy. The redder the piece of jewelry, the higher the proportion of nickel. One of the more common mixtures for rose gold is 75% gold (18k) and 25% copper.


Buyer's Tip
The proportions in other karat grades are listed in the table below:

KARAT	PARTS GOLD TO ALLOY	PERCENTAGE	FINENESS
9K	9/24	37.5%	375
10K	10/24	41.67%	417
14K	14/24	58.33%	583
18K	18/24	75.00%	750
22K	22/24	91.66%	917
24K	24/24	100%	999