14K AND 18K

suggests using 18kt gold when choosing a yellow or white gold mounting. We view this metal to be more representative of the special occasion and like the durability of it over 14kt.

The main difference between 14 karat (14K) and 18 karat (18K) gold is the amount of pure gold in the alloy. Karat is a measure of the purity of gold(not to be confused with carat, with 24 karat gold being pure gold. However, pure gold is too soft to be used for most jewelry, so it is typically alloyed with other metals to make it more durable and resistant to wear.

14K gold contains 58.3% pure gold(14/24 = 58.3%), while the remaining 41.7% is made up of other metals, such as copper, silver, and nickel. The lower percentage of pure gold makes 14K gold less expensive than higher karat gold, but it may also have a slightly lighter color and a lower gold content.

18K gold, on the other hand, contains 75% pure gold(18/24 = 75%), with the remaining 25% made up of other metals. This higher percentage of pure gold gives 18K gold a richer, deeper color and a higher gold content. 18K gold is typically more expensive than 14K gold, due to its higher gold content and richer color.

Both 14K and 18K gold are commonly used in jewelry, and the choice of which to use often comes down to personal preference and the intended use of the jewelry.

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