Purity at a glance
| Karat | Pure gold | Stamp | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 999 | Deep yellow, very soft, rarely used for everyday jewelry |
| 18K | 75% | 750 | Rich colour, fine jewelry standard, softer than 14K |
| 14K | 58.3% | 585 | The everyday balance of colour, strength and price |
| 10K | 41.7% | 417 | Hardest and most affordable, paler colour |
Yellow, white and rose
The colour comes from the other metals mixed in. Copper warms gold into rose; silver and palladium or nickel turn it white. White gold is often plated with rhodium for a bright finish that needs renewing over time.
Which karat for which piece
- Chains worn every day: 10K or 14K stand up best to wear and pulling.
- Engagement rings and fine pieces: 14K or 18K.
- Grillz: commonly 10K, 14K or 18K; higher karat is softer, so fit and wear matter.
- Sensitive skin: ask for a nickel-free alloy, or choose yellow gold of 14K or more.
How to check a piece
Look for the stamp inside a ring or on a chain clasp (10K, 14K, 585, 750). Stamps can be faked, so buy from a jeweller who will tell you the karat in writing.