What is a gold karat?
In gold, the karat measures purity: the proportion of pure gold in the alloy. The system divides gold into 24 equal parts. 24 karats = pure gold. 18 karats = 75% pure gold.
The most common karats
24K (999): Pure gold, too soft for everyday jewellery. 18K (750): The standard for luxury jewellery in Europe. 14K (585): Very popular in the USA, more resistant. 9K (375): The legal minimum to be called "gold" in many European countries.
Why does gold come in different colours?
Yellow gold: gold + silver + copper. White gold: gold + palladium + silver. Rose gold: gold + higher proportion of copper. The more copper, the more intense the pink colour.
Which should you choose?
For everyday jewellery: 14K or 18K. For special or investment pieces: 18K. For fashion or budget jewellery: 9K.
