Most people are vaguely familiar with the gold rating system. While you might not know what it means, you probably understand that 24K gold is of higher value. If you are looking to buy a luxury gold watch, visit this website.
But why is that? This blog will go over the difference between 14K and 24K gold. We'll also cover some important considerations when choosing jewelry or a luxury gold watch.
Gold 101: All About Karats
In the world of jewelry and metalwork, karats are a unit of measurement used to represent how much gold is in a piece of metal jewelry. It sounds similar to the carats used to measure mass in gemstones, but the concept is entirely different.
You see, most gold jewelry contains a mix of metals. There's still real gold in there, but the other metals help adjust the jewelry's color, finish, and strength.
Understanding Karat Measurements
The karat system represents gold purity, so what's the difference between 14K and 24K?
24K gold is 100 percent pure gold. It means that 24 out of the 24 parts are gold. The metal doesn't contain anything else, resulting in the purest form of gold you can get. As you can imagine, it's also the most expensive.
14K gold consists of 14/24 parts of gold. That's roughly 58.3 percent gold.
14K vs 24K Gold: Which is Better?
Believe it or not, most jewelers will tell you that 14K gold is the better option for your engagement rings or a luxury gold watch! Of course, it all depends on your goals and how you want the metal to look. But most of the jewelry pieces aren't 100 percent gold.
Sure, 24K gold sounds more valuable on paper. But pure gold is far too soft for jewelry. Pair that with the high costs and orange-like coloration, and it's not a practical choice for most pieces.
14K and other lower purities provide a more durable and attractive finish. For this reason, finding pure gold pieces isn't as easy as you would think outside of bars and collectors' coins.
Sticking to Gold Alloys
To the uninformed, 24K gold is the most sought-after. But if you plan on wearing your jewelry, it's always better to go with a lower purity rating. That way, you can rest assured that it'll stand up to wear and tear while maintaining a gorgeous gold finish.
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