Karat Gold – Understanding Gold Purity
When searching for gold jewelry, you may notice the term “karat” used to describe the quality of the piece. Most people understand that a higher karat typically means a higher price, but what exactly is a karat? What do the numbers signify? What about the stamps found on gold pieces? This guide will help you understand the meaning of karats.
What is a Karat?
A karat measures the fineness of gold, representing the weight of pure gold relative to the total weight of the item, which includes alloyed metals and impurities. Unlike gemstones, which are measured in carats (200 mg each), gold uses karats as a fractional measure of purity out of 24 parts. Pure gold, mixed with no other metals, is 24 karat (24k) gold.
Although more valuable, pure gold is rarely used for jewelry due to its softness and susceptibility to scratches. Instead, it is typically alloyed with base metals to enhance durability, color, and other properties.
Which Karat is Best?
While 24 karat gold is the purest form, it’s often alloyed with other metals to create more durable jewelry suitable for daily wear. The fewer karats in an alloy, the less gold it contains.
Gold is frequently combined with metals like silver, zinc, copper, or palladium, resulting in various karats and colors, such as rose gold or white gold. Traditional karat measurements include 24k, 22k, 18k, 14k, and 10k.
Gold Conversion Chart:
|
Number of Karats |
Fraction of Gold |
% of Gold Purity |
Millesimal Fineness |
|
9K |
9/24 |
37.5 |
375 |
|
10K |
10/24 |
41.7 |
416/417 |
|
12K |
12/24 |
50.0 |
500 |
|
14K |
14/24 |
58.3 |
583/585 |
|
18K |
18/24 |
75.0 |
750 |
|
22K |
22/24 |
91.7 |
916/917 |
|
24K |
24/24 |
99.9 |
999 |
Does a Higher Karat Mean Higher Quality Gold?
Not necessarily. While 24k is the purest form of gold, it doesn’t indicate higher quality; it simply means more gold is present. However, pure gold is too soft for most jewelry. Gold alloys, with lower karats, are stronger and better suited for daily wear.
The most common and sought-after karat in jewelry is 18k, which consists of 75% pure gold and is more durable and affordable for everyday use. As karat numbers decrease, the gold content diminishes, making pieces more budget-friendly and suitable for daily wear.
What Do the Stamps Mean?
Most authentic gold jewelry will feature a hallmark indicating its purity. Stamps can come in various formats, such as “585,” “14kt,” or “14K,” all representing 14 karat gold. The three-digit numbers indicate purity in thousandths; for instance, “750” denotes 75.0% pure gold (or 18k).
Additional stamps may indicate whether the piece is gold-plated, such as “GE,” which stands for “Gold Electroplate,” meaning the base is made of another metal, typically brass, with a gold layer deposited on top.
How Can You Tell if Gold is Real?
To verify if gold is authentic, always check for a hallmark. This stamp is typically found on the clasp of a necklace or bracelet, or on the inner band of a ring. Be cautious of hallmarks like “EPNS,” “EPBM,” and “GF,” as these indicate that the piece is not solid gold but rather another metal with gold plating.
A simple home test involves dropping your gold item into water. Genuine gold, being a heavy metal, should sink. If it floats, it is likely fake.
