Shopping for gold jewellery can be a little confusing when you see all the different karat numbers. What exactly do they mean? Simply put, a karat is a measure of the purity of gold. It tells you exactly how much real gold is in your chosen piece.
Gold in its purest form, known as 24k solid gold, is naturally very soft. To create durable, everyday gold jewellery, it's mixed with other metals like copper, silver, and zinc. This mixture is called an alloy, and it's what gives a piece its strength, colour, and affordability. The karat number reflects the ratio of pure gold to these other metals. Here is a breakdown of the most common gold karats to help you choose the right piece for your collection.
24k Gold: Pure and Unalloyed
24k gold is 99.9% pure gold. This is the highest quality gold available. It has a distinctive, rich yellow colour and is completely hypoallergenic, as it contains no other metals that can cause a reaction.
However, its extreme softness means that 24k gold is not suitable for everyday wear. It scratches and dents very easily, which is why you will rarely see 24k used for rings, bracelets, or necklaces intended for daily use.
18k Gold: The High-Quality Standard
18k gold is 75% pure gold and alloyed with a varying combination of silver, copper, and zinc. For white gold, the alloy includes palladium. The most common alloy is a composition of 12.5% silver and 12.5% copper in addition to the pure gold.
It is the top choice for good quality gold jewellery, 18k offers a stunning balance of purity and durability. Its high gold content gives it a beautiful, warm colour and makes it a great option for hypoallergenic jewellery. With a lower percentage of alloys, this gold doesn't tarnish easily. While more durable than 24k, 18k gold is still softer than lower karats and is a more expensive option due to its high gold content. It is best for high-end pieces and special occasion jewellery where the rich colour and quality are paramount.
14k Gold: The Versatile All-Rounder
14k gold is 58.3% pure gold and most commonly alloyed with silver, copper, and zinc. This is a popular choice for everyday gold jewellery in many parts of the world. The higher percentage of alloy metals makes it slightly more durable and scratch resistant.
This strong form of real gold still maintains a lovely, warm colour. The higher alloy content means it's less hypoallergenic than 18k, though reactions are still uncommon in high quality jewellery. It also has a slightly paler yellow colour. This karat is a perfect mix of durability and value, making it ideal for pieces designed to be worn daily.
9k Gold: Strong, Durable and Accessible
9k gold is 37.5% pure gold and 62.5% alloy. Of the common karats, 9k gold is the strongest and most durable. Its high alloy content makes it highly resistant to bending or scratching, perfect for a busy lifestyle. With a high concentration of other metals in the alloy, which gives it its exceptional hardness and durability, the composition is typically 42.5% copper, 10% silver, and 10% zinc.
It is a fantastic option for good quality gold at a more accessible price point. Unlike jewellery that may be plated, this is still solid gold, so it won't flake, peel, or turn your skin green. It does have a cooler yellow colour due to the sterling silver in the alloy and may be more prone to tarnishing over time if not regularly cleaned. 9k gold is best for durable, everyday pieces where strength and affordability are the main priorities.
Our Commitment to You: The Official Dealer's Notice
When choosing your gold jewellery, consider your lifestyle and priorities. Whether you value the rich colour of 18k or the durability of 9k, each karat has been specifically designed to offer a unique blend of beauty and practicality.
As a UK-based retailer committed to transparency and consumer protection, we comply with the Hallmarking Act 1973. This legislation is in place to guarantee the quality of your precious metal jewellery.
The law requires all dealers of precious metals to display a Dealer's Notice to explain the approved hallmarks and the legal requirements for hallmarking articles of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
Below is the official notice that confirms the purity standards of precious metals sold in the United Kingdom.
What this means for you:
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Any piece of gold, silver, platinum, or palladium jewellery we sell above the legal weight threshold has been independently tested and stamped with a hallmark by one of the UK’s four Assay Offices.
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The hallmark provides an independent guarantee of the purity (fineness) of the metal you are purchasing.
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We only use descriptions of precious metals that are guaranteed by this official process.
If you have any further questions about hallmarking, please contact us.
