Understanding Gold Purity: What Does “K” Really Mean?
When shopping for gold jewelry, you’ll often see numbers like 14K or 18K — but what do they actually represent?
“K” stands for karat, the unit that measures gold purity.
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24K = 100% pure gold
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18K = 75% gold, 25% alloy metals
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14K = 58.3% gold, 41.7% alloy metals
Higher karat means higher gold content, a richer color, and a slightly softer metal. Lower karat means more alloy, which increases hardness but reduces purity.
Durability: Which Is Stronger?
Both 18K and 14K gold are durable, but they behave differently due to their metal composition.
18K Gold
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Warmer, richer tone
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Slightly softer because of higher gold content
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Still durable enough for everyday wear
14K Gold
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Contains more alloy metals
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Harder and slightly more scratch-resistant
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Paler in color compared to 18K
Tip: If you want everyday jewelry that still has a luxurious, vibrant gold tone, 18K is the perfect balance.
Color & Appearance: The Visual Difference
The gold tone is where you see some of the biggest differences:
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18K gold → deeper, richer, warmer gold
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14K gold → paler or more muted yellow tone depending on alloys
Your choice comes down to aesthetics.
If you love the classic, vivid gold glow, 18K stands out beautifully.
Price: What to Expect
Because 18K gold contains more pure gold, it is naturally more valuable and more expensive than 14K.
But with that price increase comes:
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Higher purity
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Stronger intrinsic value
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A richer and more luxurious appearance
For many customers, it’s a worthwhile investment — especially for pieces meant to last a lifetime.
What We Recommend
At Evelyne of Sweden, we proudly focus on 18K gold jewelry because it offers the ideal combination of:
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Elegance
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Durability
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Timeless beauty
It’s perfect for everyday wear, meaningful gifts, and anyone beginning or expanding their gold collection.