A Guide to Understanding the Different Purity Levels of White Gold
White gold is a popular metal choice for jewelry, especially for engagement rings and wedding bands. It is a combination of pure gold and other white metals such as nickel, palladium or silver. The purity level of white gold is measured in karats which indicate the amount of pure gold present in the alloy. In this post, we will discuss the different purity levels of white gold.
24 Karat Gold
Pure gold is 24 karats (kt), but it’s quite soft to use as jewelry. Therefore, it should be combined with other metals to increase its durability and strength. So, there isn’t any 24-karat white gold available in the market.
18 Karat Gold
The most common type of high-quality white gold used for jewelry making is 18 karats (75% pure). This alloy has an excellent balance between color, hardness, and malleability that makes it perfect for creating intricate designs like filigree work or micro-pave settings.
14 Karat Gold
14k white gold contains approximately 58% pure gold mixed with other alloys. This type of alloy offers good value for money since it provides both strength and affordability.
10 Karat Gold
10k White Gold consists only about 41% of purest form yellow colored natural metal combined with other alloys such as silver or copper. It’s less expensive than higher karat options but not always recommended due to its lower purity level.
9 Karat Gold
It’s rare to find any piece made up of 9K white gold because they contain only around 37% purest form yellow-colored metal mixed with other non-precious metals like copper or zinc increasing their chances to tarnish quickly compared to higher carats options
8 Karat Gold
8K White Gold contains only approximately 33% Purest Yellow Colored Metal mixed with non-precious metals; therefore, they are more prone to tarnishing and are generally not recommended for jewelry.
Other metals in White Gold
As mentioned earlier, white gold is an alloy of pure gold with other white metals. Some of the common alloys used for making white gold include nickel, palladium or silver. Nickel is most popular but may cause allergic reactions to some people while Palladium-based alloys are hypoallergenic and lighter in weight.
In conclusion, when it comes to buying a piece of jewelry made from white gold, knowing about the various purity levels can help you make an informed decision. While higher karat options like 18k offer better quality and durability, lower karat options like 14k provide affordability without sacrificing too much on quality. However, keep in mind that the different types of alloys used to make white gold can affect its appearance and hypoallergenic properties as well.