14k vs 18k gold, which one is better when it comes to white and yellow gold? Read on as we explain the difference in gold karats, which is better and which is best to buy.
Not all gold is created equal. In its pure form, gold is exceedingly soft and malleable: properties that do not allow created jewelry to stand up well to daily wear. To solve this problem, jewelers alloy gold with other metals to increase its strength and resistance.
This is where 14-karat and 18-karat gold come into play. It’s a good idea to learn about the important differences between the two so that you can make the best choice for your needs.
The difference in gold percentage
K stands for karat (not to be confused with carat, which is the weight measure for gemstones) and refers to the percentage of gold in an alloy. To illustrate: 24K gold is 100% pure, 18K contains 75% gold and 25% alloyed metals, and 14K is 58% gold and 42% alloyed metals. Simply put, the 14-karat and 18-karat system makes it easier for the average person to determine the amount of pure gold in a piece.
How can you tell the difference with your gold jewelry on your own? Jewelers usually engrave the karat on an inconspicuous part of the jewelry, such as on the clasp of bracelets and necklaces, or on the inner band of rings.
14k Vs 18k Gold: Value & Style
Because of its greater percentage of gold, an 18-karat piece will fetch a higher price than one of 14-karat gold. However, in some cases, monetary value alone does not influence purchasing decisions. Others take the history, circumstance, or sentimental value into consideration, too. Some also consider the look of the gold, as the higher the karat of the gold, the more yellow it appears.
18-karat yellow gold has a deeper yellow hue than 14-karat, 14K-karat white gold has a stronger white color than 18-karat, 14-karat rose gold is pinker than 18K, and so on. Sometimes 14K is the better complement to the desired gems for the piece or just has a more appealing look.
14k Vs 18k Gold: Durability & Lifestyle considerations
When we’re looking at the differences in 14k and 18k gold, we’ve also got to consider which is better in terms of durability and suitability for different lifestyle. Because of its higher percentage of alloyed metals, 14k gold offers more resistance to wear and tear. Thus, it is ideal for everyday use and is the most popular choice for engagement rings and simple wedding bands. Those with active lifestyles should definitely consider getting 14K gold jewelry because it holds up better in sports, manual labor, and other rigorous, regular activities.
18K gold jewelry is softer than 14K, and is therefore typically considered a special occasion piece. You can expect to see more of 18K gold pieces at social events or on red carpets.
Karat popularity
Karat desirability varies from region to region. In the US, 14-karat gold is more dominant in the jewelry industry. Meanwhile, 18-karat gold is more popular in Europe and Asia.
As we come to the end of our 14k Vs 18k gold debate, as with most things, there are positives and negatives to both karats. It is important to know what you want out of a piece so that you can pick the karat that is right for you.
Top 10 Rings in 14K and 18K Gold
These numbers are important and have a meaning; they’re not just a description. But do you know what the difference is between the two? 14K and 18K gold have very different metal compositions that you may not be aware of. Along with the difference in the amount of gold it contains, there are also differences in strength, color, and price, so let’s compare 14k vs 18k gold!
14K gold contains approximately 58% gold, so the remainder of the composition of the piece of jewelry will contain metals alloys such as copper, zinc, silver, and nickel. Nickel is a common skin irritant that many people are allergic to. People with a nickel allergy can break out in a rash or start itching when their skin comes in contact with nickel, making 14K gold jewelry more sensitive to the skin than 18K gold jewelry.
The color of 14K gold is less vivid than 18K gold. Yellow and white 14K gold is more warm than bright, and 14K rose gold is pinker than peach. If you’re looking for a vivid yellow gold color or a bright white gold jewelry piece, then you’ll likely want to choose 18K gold. Rose gold is pinker than peach when it’s 14K gold, so you’ll need to decide which shade of rose gold you like most and find a piece of jewelry that reflects your taste.
The average difference between the cost of 14K gold and 18K gold is around 20%. Of course, this can change depending on the jeweler you use, but this is the average trend seen between the two. Because of this, a 14K gold piece of jewelry will be slightly more affordable than 18K gold. Just keep in mind that 14K gold contains less pure gold, which means it has a higher percentage of additional metals like nickel.
If you’re looking for the stronger gold, 14K gold is the winner. Pure gold is extremely soft, so the less gold that a gold engagement ring or other piece of jewelry has, the stronger it will be. Because 14K gold contains around 58% pure gold, it gets its strength from supplemental metals like copper, zinc, and nickel. This makes 14K gold less susceptible to scratches, dents, and bending. If you lead an active lifestyle, 14K gold would be your best choice.
The gold content of 18K gold is 75%. This requires fewer metals and alloys to be mixed with the gold to make it 18K. If you have sensitive skin, you will be less likely to react to 18K gold than you would 14K gold because of the lower amount of nickel in the gold, making 18K gold the best choice between the two.
The color of 18K gold is also related to its gold content. Because there is a higher gold content in 18K gold, the color of the gold will be brighter than 14K gold. Yellow gold engagement rings and white gold engagement rings will be brighter, while rose gold will have a peachier color.
The cost of 18K gold is more expensive because it contains higher gold content. On average, 18K gold will cost around 20% more than 14K gold. If you have a nickel or metal allergy or you have sensitive skin, we recommend paying a little more for 18K gold so that you are only exposed to a small number of additional alloys in the gold.
If you have an active lifestyle or struggle to prevent your rings from becoming scratched, you may want to choose 14K gold vs 18k gold as it is the stronger of the two. 18K gold is softer than 14K gold, so it is more likely to become scratched, dented, or misshapen.