Understanding the Karat: What Are the Levels of Gold Purity?
When it comes to understanding the karat system and selecting fine jewelry, the level of gold purity plays an essential role. Whether that would be in determining the piece’s value, or even the durability, understanding gold purity may enhance one’s appreciation of the craft. While everyone knows that higher karat gold is more expensive, what does it really mean?
What is a Karat?
A karat is the golden standard, quite literally. It is a unit of measure for the purity of gold in jewelry. Each karat represents a level of fineness. It indicates how much pure gold is present in a piece, blended with alloyed metals. Similar to how diamonds weighed, Gold Karats are representations of the piece’s value. Simply put, the higher the karat, the purer and more precious the gold.
How the Karat System Works
The karat system reflects the purity of gold in jewelry. It is based on a 24-part scale, with 24 karats (24k) representing pure gold. Which means 24k gold is 100% gold and contains no other metals.
The karat number indicates how many parts of gold the material contains out of 24. For example, 24k gold is completely pure. Making it also extremely delicate, therefore unsuitable for everyday wear. To make gold more durable, it is often mixed with other metals such as copper, silver, or nickel. This is when the various karat levels come into play.
Levels of Gold Purity
Gold purity varies widely. Common levels include:
- 10k (41.7% pure)
- 12k (50% pure)
- 14k (58.3% pure)
- 18k (75% pure)
- 22k (91.7% pure)
- 24k (100% pure)
Higher purity means a richer color and greater value. But keep in mind, it also means a softer metal, which may be less practical. Durability is also an important aspect to keep in mind when selecting gold jewelry to ensure it lasts.
Impact of Gold Purity on Jewelry Value
The purity of gold is indicative of its value. Higher karat gold has a deep rich yellow hue, radiating its opulence. Despite its beauty, gold at this level of purity is extremely soft, making it crucial to handle with care. 24k gold jewelry is ideal for pieces that are not for everyday usage.
However, for jewelry that needs to withstand daily wear and tear, 18k gold offers an ideal solution. 18k gold consists of 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts other metals, such as copper, silver, or nickel. This blend gives 18k gold a 75% purity level. This level allows the gold to maintain its appearance, while adding the strength for practical use.
Testing Gold Purity
Gold purity can be determined using a variety of methods, including acid tests, electrical testers, and more modern procedures such as X-ray fluorescence. These methods assure those who obtain gold jewelry, while fulfilling their requirements for both value and quality.
Why Our Multi-Brand Jewelry Boutique Only Chooses 18k Gold Purity
At Scintilla, we exclusively offer 18k gold jewelry. We believe that high-end fine jewelry should be both admired and enjoyed in everyday life. 18k gold purity reflects the perfect balance between purity and durability.
Introducing fine jewelry into your life should be a delightful experience, not one filled with concern over its practicality. Buying fine jewelry should be an enjoyable experience, not one fraught with concern. With 18k gold, you can display your jewelry with confidence. Our choice coincides with Italian tradition, which favours 18 karat gold for its colour, strength, and appeal.
If you’re looking to add to your gold jewelry collection, visit our multi-brand Italian jewelry boutique in Bangkok on the M Floor of Siam Paragon. From the artistic jewelry of Annamaria Cammilli and Pasquale Bruni to the minimalist designs of FOPE and Mattia Cielo, we have a wide range of gold jewelry that can capture your interest and affections.
Schedule Your Visit
A glance is all it takes to realize just how much is going on in making a piece of high jewelry. We invite you to schedule a visit to our multi brand high jewelry boutique at Siam Paragon to learn more about what makes the piece truly unique.
Indulge in the beauty of exceptional fine and high jewelry collections from renowned brands available exclusively with us.
SCINTILLA GIOIELLI
Siam Paragon, Shop 46A, M Floor 991 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
OPERATING HOURS:
Everyday 11:00 – 19:00
TEL: +66 2 610 9378
EMAIL: [email protected]