What is a "karat gold" ring? 18k 14k 9k
Many people wonder when buying gold or jewelry what type of gold it is, why the prices differ, and what exactly "K-gold" is. Is it real gold? Is the percentage low? Is it good or bad? Today, let's clear up these questions!
We are well aware that diamonds are measured in "carats," but many people do not know that the purity percentage of gold is also measured in the same unit, spelled as “Karat.” Therefore, when abbreviated, such as 18K gold or 14K gold, people refer to them as 18K or 14K gold. The higher the K number, the higher the gold percentage, and the softer it becomes. The percentages are as follows:
24K gold is 99.99% pure gold.
23.16K gold is 96.50% pure gold.
22K gold is 91.70% pure gold.
21K gold is 87.50% pure gold.
18K gold is 75% pure gold.
14K gold is 58.30% pure gold.
9K gold is 37.50% pure gold.
In Thailand, 18K gold is mostly used for diamond jewelry because it is alloyed with other metals to provide the strength needed for manufacturing and to ensure that the prongs holding the diamonds are durable and do not easily deform from impact. However, in other countries, 14K or lower is also popular because it is less expensive. For low-percentage gold, the jewelry might tarnish after long-term use because it contains other metals like silver, but if you use 18K gold, the jewelry will definitely not tarnish.
A common misconception is that many diamond jewelry stores claim that 18K gold is 90% gold. You can verify the gold percentage by using a machine that measures the gold content from the item itself, which will specify exactly what the jewelry is composed of.
Can we tell the gold percentage with the naked eye?
No, you cannot. Because jewelry is typically plated on the outside to look shinier, and it can be plated with darker or lighter colors, you cannot tell the gold percentage of a piece once the work is finished.
Now that you know this, you don't need to be alarmed when a diamond store mentions 18K gold; you'll know exactly what it is and that it is indeed real gold.
This image shows the natural color of gold at each percentage. If it were not plated, you would see the differences in color.