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Gold Karat Guide

Gold jewelry is an absolute classic. So, how do you tell the quality of gold jewelry for gifts or for you? Knowing how many karats are in gold jewelry is one way to learn a piece’s value. Follow KAY’s Gold Karat Guide to learn what karats in gold are best for jewelry.

Gold Grading: What Do Gold Karat Numbers Mean?

The karat in gold karat is a term used when measuring a metal’s purity. The jewelry you find at most fine jewelry retailers is rarely 100% pure; that’s because pure gold is so soft that it can be too temperamental to make into jewelry. The metals you find in rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces are almost always alloyed with a mixture of other metals so it can stand up to everyday wear. Using the karat scale for gold, going from zero up to 24, you can tell how many karats are in your gold jewelry.

24K

Pure, the highest karat. 24K is not popular for most jewelry because it is susceptible to bending or scratching. 

22K

Very high quality, with 92% gold and 8% alloyed metals. Stronger than pure karat gold, but still soft.

18K

75% gold and 25% alloyed metals. This high quality karat gold is a traditional staple for jewelry.

14K

One of the lower karat counts for high end jewelry, at 58% gold. The lower gold amount makes it your most durable karat gold for jewelry.

10K

10K, another lower karat count, comes in at 41% gold. 10K gold is popular for fashion jewelry pieces because of its affordability. 

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Learn More
About Gold

White gold, rose gold, yellow gold—find a spectrum of color and styles to choose from. Learn more about gold jewelry options available at KAY. 

Which Gold Karat Should I Choose?

At KAY, you can find earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets in beautiful 10K, 14K, and 18K gold. 14K gold is the most popular choice for precious pieces like engagement rings, wedding bands, and jewelry gifts. For extra purity and luxury, you can choose exquisitely crafted 18K gold jewelry. If you are looking for fashion jewelry that holds up to everyday wear, lower karat 10K gold jewelry may be a better choice.

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KAY’s Jewelry Library is your one-stop resource for jewelry education! Our collection of articles includes everything from jewelry basics, style guides, shopping tips, and gift-giving advice to ideas and inspiration for your milestone moments.

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