With so many different types of colors and karats, deciding which type of gold is best for you can be overwhelming. At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, we want to make your experience purchasing gold jewelry as seamless as possible. Understanding the differences between types of gold will help you pick the right piece that fits your wardrobe, wallet, and lifestyle. Follow our guide to understand the basics of gold.

Pure Gold

Pure gold in its raw elemental state is referred to as 24k gold. Pure gold is soft, malleable, and deep yellow. Unfortunately, its softness makes it unsuitable for most jewelry. Pure gold must be mixed with different metals to create the durable jewelry worn today. The result of mixing metals is called an alloy. An alloy is much stronger than 24k gold and can resist wear and tear.

Karats

To distinguish between the different types of gold alloys, you can look at the karat, which indicates the amount of pure gold present in jewelry. The higher the karat, the higher the percentage of gold and the value of the item. Check out the list below to see the difference between karats:

24k – 100% pure gold. This type of gold is the natural form of the element gold.

18k – 75% gold. 18k is the standard for fine jewelry around the world. This gold is 18 parts gold and six parts various metals such as silver, copper, zinc, and nickel. 

14k – 58.3% gold. 14k gold is the most popular gold option in the United States. It is 14 parts gold and ten parts of various metals such as silver, copper, zinc, and nickel.

10k – 41.7% gold. 10k gold is the minimum karat that is recognized as gold in the United States. It is ten parts gold and 14 parts various metals like the ones listed above.

(All gold jewelry is marked with a recognizable stamp of either a “k” (karat) or a three-digit number.)

Kinds of Gold

As mentioned before, pure gold is a rich yellow color. Gold is alloyed with specific metals to create colors other than yellow. While the colors listed below are the most common, gold can come in various colors, from green to black. Depending on the proportions of alloys, you can create the whole rainbow.

Yellow Gold: Although the natural color of gold is yellow, standard gold jewelry must mix metals to be wearable. Yellow gold is achieved through mixing different alloys such as copper, zinc, silver, nickel, palladium, and platinum. These metals, when mixed expertly, create a dazzling yellow-gold color that is also strong and durable.

Rose Gold: Like yellow gold, rose gold is alloyed with silver, copper, and zinc. The ratio is slightly shifted to include more copper and less silver which results in a warmer hue.

White Gold: By increasing the silver-colored alloys and decreasing the copper-colored alloys, white gold is made. While it may not have a similar appearance to that of yellow or rose gold, it contains the same amount of karat gold.

Shop Gold Jewelry in San Diego

Here at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, you’ll find a unique and ever-changing selection of new and vintage gold jewelry to choose from. No matter if you prefer yellow, rose, or white gold, you’re sure to find what your heart desires at Leo Hamel’s. Shop our expansive showroom and find the perfect piece to express your unique style!

Call us today: 619-299-1500