What does gold carat mean?
So, you’re thinking about buying gold jewellery and you’re unsure which carat to go for. What do the different gold carats even mean?
Put simply, gold carats or ‘caratage’ is the unit of measurement to determine the purity of gold. The higher the caratage, the purer the gold.
What’s the difference between 9ct, 14ct and 18ct gold?
One of the most common questions I get asked by my customers is “I’ve been comparing your 9ct vs 18ct gold engagement ring options, which is better?” or “Which carat gold should I choose and why?”.
These can be difficult questions to answer because it really depends on your own personal preferences. To tackle this, I’ve decided to write this blog so that we can explore the differences between 9ct gold, 14ct gold, 18ct gold and platinum.
Should I buy an 18ct gold engagement ring?
An 18ct gold engagement ring might be exactly what you’re looking for. It is 75% pure gold and 25% other metal alloys. It is both more durable and more valuable when compared to 9ct and 14ct gold jewellery options.
18ct gold is softer than 9ct gold and 14ct gold due to the higher pure gold content, however this also makes it more durable as it’s denser and therefore less brittle.
18ct gold has a richer, deeper colour tone because of its purity. It is also less likely to cause allergic reactions because it contains lower quantities of metals which might cause allergies, and higher qualities of pure gold which is hypoallergenic. 18ct is the ideal choice for an engagement ring because it is luxurious, durable and beautiful.
18ct vs 14ct gold, which one is better?
14 carat gold costs less than 18 carat gold. This is because it contains 58.5%
pure gold and 41.5% other metal alloys.
14ct gold is a great balance between 9ct gold and 18ct gold jewellery options because it is harder than 18ct gold, but less brittle than 9ct gold because of its added density.
14ct gold is a great option for an engagement ring both in terms of metal properties and visual qualities, as it is neither very pale nor a very rich yellow colour.
Is 9ct gold good?
9ct gold contains 37.5% pure gold and is mixed with 62.5% other metal alloys such as copper, silver, zinc or nickel.
It is the most affordable option and some people prefer the paler colour tone. The metal alloys that are mixed in make 9ct gold jewellery harder when compared to higher carats. This can make it more resistant to scratches, however can also make it more brittle.
If you're on a budget, choosing 9ct gold is a great way to get the ring design you want at a lower price point.
So why wouldn’t I choose 9ct gold?
Some people choose higher carat options of gold because they are denser, making them less brittle. The higher the carat, the more valuable and luxurious the item of jewellery, as well as the gold being richer in colour, which many people prefer. Another consideration is that some people are allergic to the other metals contained in 9ct gold.
Choosing which gold carat you prefer is completely a personal decision. Some of the main deciding factors you should consider are:
What is my budget?
Which do I prefer the look of?
Does the overall value matter to me?
How hard wearing does my engagement ring need to be?
Is 24 carat gold pure gold?
Wondering how many carats pure gold is? The answer is 24 carat gold. It is the purest form of gold and is so soft that it isn’t particularly suitable for jewellery designed for everyday wear, as it bends very easily. It is also very expensive!
What’s the difference between white gold, yellow gold and rose gold?
The best answer for this is the colour. However, there are some other factors that should be considered when choosing between white gold, yellow gold and rose gold.
White gold has a brilliant white shine because it is usually rhodium plated. This can add to the metal’s durability making it more resistant to scratches, however, this means it will likely need replating every couple of years – definitely something to consider!
Yellow gold is a stunning and very popular option. The higher the carat, the deeper and richer the tone of the gold colour.
Rose gold is created by mixing gold and copper, giving it its beautiful reddish colour. 18ct rose gold in particular has a rich reddish/coppery undertone that some people just love.
Is platinum better than gold?
What about platinum? Is it a better option? Again, it’s personal preference!
Platinum is a valuable and durable option. It is a naturally occurring white metal and typically comes in its purest form (around 95% purity). It is a very hard metal and therefore more resistant to wear and tear than gold.
Many people that prefer platinum enjoy its look and feel. It is a heavier metal compared to gold which some people would argue feels more premium, and there is no need to plate it so it is easy to maintain.
Which metal should I buy for an engagement ring?
Hopefully this blog has given you some useful information of the differences between 9ct gold, 14ct gold, 18ct gold, 24ct gold and platinum as well as the different colour options available.
One last thing to keep in mind is that the colour of the gold is determined by the other metals which are added to pure gold to make the alloy. For example, all yellow gold jewellery hallmarked as 9ct is guaranteed to have 37.5% pure gold, however the ratios of other metals used to make up the remaining 62.5% can vary depending on the person mixing the alloy. For this reason there may be a slight variation in colour tone between two items with the same gold content if they were made by different jewellers. The difference is usually very subtle so may only be noticeable on very close inspection.
Of course, if you have any questions then please do get in touch. I’d love to create your dream engagement ring!
Thanks – Kiya Corrales x
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