Many people will consider the choice of metal when choosing jewelry. Choosing the right metal for your jewelry can make your jewelry look more charming and also improve your temperament. Currently, the two most popular metals on the market are 14K gold and 18K gold. Regarding 14K vs 18K gold, which one should you choose for your jewelry? This article will answer your questions.
Table of Contents
Introduction of 14K vs 18K Gold
To understand what’s the difference between 14K and 18K gold and which to choose, first we should understand the definition of 14K and 18K gold.
What is 14K gold?
14K gold is a metal that combines metals such as copper, silver, zinc, and nickel with pure gold. The percentage of Gold content of 14K Gold is about 58.3%, and the remaining 41.7% is metal alloy. Due to the large proportion of alloys, 14K gold usually has good durability, is a relatively strong material, and the price is much lower than pure gold, is the perfect parallel of 24K gold, is used in various wedding bands, engagement rings and other jewelry.
What is 18K gold?
According to the question what is 14K gold, we can get the general meaning of 18K gold. 18K gold has the same metal alloy composition, but the gold content of 18K gold is 75% pure gold and 25% metal alloy. 18K gold has a higher gold content than all metals. Compared with 14K gold, 18K gold has a lower alloy metal percentage, so the hardness is slightly worse. 18K gold is often used to make high-end jewelry. Amandafinejewelry is such a jeweler that uses 18K gold to make fine jewelry.
What’s the meaning of ‘K’?
In daily life, we often hear about 14K gold, 18K gold, 24k gold, etc. Everyone uses the same term with a number plus a K. Do you know what K means? In fact, this K stands for karat. So 14K gold and 18K gold are sometimes written as 14kt and 18kt. But the meaning is the same. Kt is the first and last letters of karat, which is equivalent to 14K and 18K. The calculation method of karat is: each karat represents the purity of gold accounting for one-twenty-fourth. For example, 14K gold means that the purity of gold is 14/24, that is, 58.3%, 24k gold is pure gold.

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A Comprehensive Comparison of 14kt vs 18kt Gold
In order to better compare the different properties between 14K and 18K gold, let’s compare 14K vs 18K gold from color, durability, popular degree, price and allergy.
14K vs 18K Gold- Is there any color difference between 14K and 18K gold?
The answer is yes. Because of the different gold content, the colors of 14K gold and 18K gold are slightly different. The gold content of 14K gold is slightly lower than that of 18K gold, and the color is slightly lighter, usually showing a milder golden yellow. 18K gold contains a higher proportion of pure gold, so the color is brighter and richer than 14K gold, showing a deeper yellow.
14K vs 18K gold- Which is more durable?
Gold is very soft, so 14K vs 18K gold which one is more durable depends on the alloy content. 14K gold has a higher alloy content than 18K gold, so it is harder and more wear-resistant. This is why 14K gold is more suitable for everyday jewelry, sports jewelry, children’s jewelry, and some complex designs, such as gemstone engagement rings, bracelets and necklaces, which can better resist scratches and wear, and is not easy to deform.
14K vs 18K gold- How’s their price?
The price of 14K and 18K gold is mainly determined by the percentage of gold content. The higher the gold content, the higher the price. The gold content of 14K gold is 58.3%. Usually, the price of 14K gold per carat is between $30-$50. The price of 18K gold is between $40-$70 per carat. So it can be seen that due to the different gold content, the price of 18K gold per carat is a little more expensive than 14K gold. But their prices will fluctuate with the price of gold, not fixed.
14K gold or 18K gold- Which is less likely to cause skin allergy?
Most people are allergic to nickel. The higher the alloy content in the metal, the more nickel it may contain. In terms of allergic reactions, 18K gold is less likely to cause allergies than 14k gold. Because its pure gold content is as high as 75%, it greatly reduces the alloy content and is more friendly to people with allergies. 14k gold is the opposite. However, many manufacturers now avoid using nickel, a substance that is prone to allergies, in alloys, or plate a layer of rhodium on nickel to isolate it from the skin. If you are worried about allergies, you can ask the jeweler for the specific formula before purchasing the metal.

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14K vs 18K Gold: Advantages and Disadvantages
14K Gold: Advantages and Disadvantages
In general, 14K gold has a higher alloy content, which makes it more durable and harder, suitable for everyday wear. Its hardness is suitable for making various complex and exquisite styles and is not easily deformed. Different alloy components can also be mixed into different colors, such as 14K yellow gold, 14K white gold and 14K rose gold, to meet the different aesthetic needs of consumers. However, because of its lower gold content, its color is not as bright as 18K gold, and the rhodium layer plated to prevent allergies may fall off over time, and the plating needs to be updated regularly.
18K Gold: Advantages and Disadvantages
Obviously, the biggest advantage of 18K gold is that it has a higher gold content, so the color will be fuller and warmer, less likely to cause allergies, and it also has good investment value. Its warm yellow color is particularly suitable for making some high-end jewelry and retro-style jewelry. But at the same time, its disadvantage is that because of its high gold content, it is soft and easy to deform, and the price is slightly more expensive. 18K gold also needs regular rhodium plating for maintenance.
Conclusion
14K vs 18K gold to choose which one as the material for your jewelry ultimately depends on your personal needs, budget, and wearing habits. 14K gold is known for its durability, affordability, and diverse designs, while 18K gold is favored for its high purity, luxurious appearance, and fewer allergic reactions. This article helps you analyze the characteristics of the two and compares the advantages and disadvantages, and may provide some advice when you buy metals. Whether you choose 14K gold or 18K gold, you can find beautiful and suitable jewelry. It is important to consider your lifestyle and needs and make the decision that best suits you.
FAQs About 14K vs 18K Gold
What kind of jewelry styles are suitable for 14K and 18K gold?
14K gold is suitable for rings, bracelets and necklaces because of its high durability. 18K gold is suitable for more delicate or special occasion jewelry, such as wedding bands, pendants and earrings.
Can I see the difference between 14K and 18K gold with eyes?
Yes, you can see the difference between 14K gold and 18K gold with your eyes. 18K gold has a brighter yellow color and a stronger metallic luster due to its higher gold content.
Is 18K gold better than 14K gold?
We can’t say which one is better than the other. Both metals are a combination of alloy and gold, but the percentage of gold is different. Whether 14K versus 18K gold is better depends on personal preference and needs. In fact, both are good choices.
Is 14K gold worth buying?
14K gold is still worth buying, even though it contains a lower percentage of gold than 18K gold. Because of this, 14K gold is stronger and more durable than 18K gold and is suitable for daily wear.
14K vs 18K gold which is more suitable for everyday wear?
14K gold has a higher alloy content, which is harder and more wear-resistant. In addition, the price of 14K gold is also cheaper, which is very suitable for scratches in life and is relatively simple to maintain.
Also Read: WHAT IS THE 18K GOLD PRICE? READ TOTAL GUIDE

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