Why Buy 14 Karat Gold?
You may be surprised to know that most gold jewellery doesn’t just contain gold. It is in fact made using a combination of metals which changes the price, look, and feel of the jewellery. You’ve probably heard of 24k and 18k gold, but have you considered 14k? It might sound like a step-down, but many people choose this option because 14k gold has several benefits.
In this article, we will be explaining the karat system, and why purchasing 14k gold is the best option if you want to save some money, but still buy a stunning, luxury piece.
Karats Explained
The number of karats in the jewellery determines the amount of pure gold in the piece. It is sometimes confused with carat, which is the measurement of the weight of a diamond.
Gold karats are measured in parts out of 24. As an example, 24k is pure gold because all 24 parts are gold. Anything less than 24k will be pure gold mixed with other metals. These can include nickel, silver, copper, and zinc which are combined to make a much stronger alloy.
14k Gold is 14 parts pure gold, and 10 parts other metals. In this case, the piece would be 58.3% gold.
Advantages of Buying 14k Gold
The main advantage of purchasing 14k Gold is its affordability. You will normally pay much more for an 18k or higher, which is why most people opt for 14k since it looks very similar but is a much cheaper alternative.
Also, 14k gold is much more durable than 18k gold. The higher the percentage of gold, the more likely it is that the jewellery will become scratched or bent. This is because gold is naturally soft and malleable which makes it sensitive to its environment. So, if you are buying an engagement ring for someone that works with their hands, 14k is the best option because it is much less likely to become damaged and it will retain its shine.
Thirdly, because it still contains a relatively high percentage of gold, 14k has a rich, warm colour that people associate with gold. This means that it isn’t obvious that it is less expensive because it is still of high quality.
For this reason, 14k gold engagement rings are by far the most popular option. This means that they are easy to find in a variety of styles.
Final Thoughts
It’s a common misconception that the lower the gold karat, the lower the quality of the jewellery. We hope that this article has shown you that this is not the case – it is the most popular type of engagement ring, it is well protected from damage, and looks just as shiny and golden as more expensive jewellery.
