What is the difference between 14, 18 and 24 karat gold?
What is the difference between 14, 18 and 24 karat gold?
Gold is available with different gold contents. We tell you what the difference is between 14, 18 and 24 karat gold. In fact, these are the most common gold contents when you buy jewelry in the Netherlands.
Would you like some advice as a result of this text, or do you have any questions? If so, please contact our customer service team at info@minitials.nl or by calling +31 6 348 626 22.
The value of gold: represented in carats
Gold is a beautiful precious metal, which is very popular in jewelry. But not all gold is the same. Differences include how much pure gold is used in a piece of jewelry, and what other materials are added to it.
For clarity, the value of gold is shown in carats. A carat says something about the percentage of pure gold contained in the material.
Below is an overview of 14, 18 and 24 carats and the amount of pure gold contained in them. Gold is also denoted in three-digit codes. You can also find these in the table below.
Difference 14, 18 and 24 carats and gold content
Gold is valued for its luster and value, and the carat system is used to indicate the content of pure gold in a piece of jewelry or object. The higher the number of carats, the higher the gold content.
The table shows the most common carats, ranging from 14 carats to 24 carats, along with their gold content in percentage and gold codes:
Number of carats | Gold content (%) | Gold code |
14 carat | 58,5% | 585 |
18 carat | 75% pure gold | 750 |
24 carat | 99.99% pure gold | 999 |
14 carat gold
Jewelry made of 14-karat gold consists of 58.5% pure gold. This is also called 585 gold. 14 carat gold is a very common number of carats for jewelry on the Dutch market. This, in fact, has an attractive price, because there is less gold incorporated into the jewelry.
The color of 14-karat gold differs from the color of 18 and 24-karat gold: it is just a bit more dull. 18 karat gold has a deep, golden color that exudes extra luxury. We process only 18 karat solid gold in our jewelry partly for this reason.
18 carat gold
With a gold content of 75% pure gold, 18 karat gold is our favorite material to incorporate into jewelry. There are several reasons for this. Thus, it is a sturdy material with a beautiful, deep shiny gold color.
The pure gold is supplemented with palladium, which makes this less likely to wear out or bend. Enjoy the benefits of a high percentage of pure gold, while choosing a sturdy material that is more resistant to wear and tear.
24 carat gold
A piece of jewelry made of 24-karat gold means that it consists of 99.99% pure gold. This type of jewelry is virtually unheard of because pure gold is a very soft material.
A soft material is more difficult to process by goldsmiths. Even worse: pure gold bends and wears out faster. So it sounds nice to have a piece of jewelry that is 100% gold, yet in practice this is usually not the best choice.
Difference between 14, 18 and 24 carat gold in a row
The color of gold varies due to the percentage of pure gold incorporated into a piece of jewelry. The higher the number of carats, the more the color is deep gold.
Strength also differs: 100% pure gold is actually too soft to use in jewelry. With 18 karat gold, you enjoy the benefits of the highest possible percentage of pure gold, while also choosing a sturdy material that won’t wear out easily.
Why do we choose 18-karat solid gold at Minitials?
What not everyone knows is that pure gold is a very soft material. This means it bends and wears out faster than hard materials. A piece of jewelry made of 100% pure gold is therefore not in your best interest.
To ensure that you can enjoy your personal jewelry as long as possible, we only incorporate 18 karat solid gold in our jewelry.
Your jewelry will also be inspected by Waarborg Holland, receiving a gold hallmark. So you enjoy the highest quality gold possible, while enjoying the benefits of a sturdier material.
Differences from abroad
The Netherlands has different guidelines and requirements surrounding precious metals than other countries. For example, 8 or 9 carats cannot officially be called gold in our country because the percentage is too low.
In England and Germany, among others, jewelry with this carat may be called gold. You would therefore do well to buy jewelry in your own country, or to read up on the legal requirements surrounding gold in other countries.
Our jewelry complies with Dutch requirements and guidelines. Each piece of jewelry receives a gold hallmark from Waarborg Holland, confirming this.
Our goldsmiths also make your personal jewelry by hand in the Netherlands. By using only high-quality materials, we ensure that you enjoy your personalized jewelry for as long as possible.
Questions about 18 karat jewelry?
Please feel free to contact our customer service department. This can be done either by phone (+31 6 348 626 22) or by e-mail (info@minitials.nl). Our team full of enthusiastic professionals is ready to discuss all your needs and questions.
It is also possible to drop by our Flagship store in Eindhoven. We ask that you make an appointment for this so that we have sufficient time to provide personal attention and appropriate service.
Geke van Hugte | Marketing
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