Gold Jewelry Faq

Pure gold, or 24K gold, hasn't been mixed with any other metals. The color of pure gold is much brighter and more orange than what most people associate with the gold used in jewelry. Because of this, it generally isn't an attractive metal for rings, watches, and other gold jewelry.

Yellow Gold We often think of yellow gold as being pure. The yellow gold used for rings is an alloy made by combining pure gold with metals such as zinc and copper. As with other gold colors, the higher the karat amount, the higher the actual gold content, but the less durable the jewelry piece is. Therefore, 18K or 14K gold is used for wedding and engagement rings. This gives them a beautiful golden hue while helping them stand up against everyday wear demands. Rose Gold Rose gold, sometimes called pink gold, is an alloy created by adding copper to pure gold, which results in a pinkish metallic hue. Rose gold engagement rings and rose gold wedding bands saw a spike in popularity in 2015 and continue to be in demand. Opt for a rose gold wedding ring set for the ultimate in coordination. White Gold Developed to imitate platinum, white gold is typically created by adding 25% nickel and zinc to pure gold. The lower the karat, the more “white” it will retain because the karat is increased by adding more pure, yellow gold. White gold rings are a lower-cost, lighter-weight alternative to platinum and palladium.

10-Karat Gold: 10k gold is the lowest solid gold alloy used for jewelry. It's composed of 41.7% gold and 58.3% alloy.  Appearance: 10k gold is pale yellow in color. It's the least yellow of all the karat types since it contains the least amount of gold. Advantages: The primary advantage of 10k gold is its durability. Since it's more alloy than gold, it stands up well to wear and tear. It's also the least expensive option out of all the most frequently used gold alloys.  Disadvantages: Some people might be allergic to the alloy used with this gold. Additionally, the pale color is not as robust as the higher karat levels of gold.  Common uses: 10k gold is commonly used for affordable jewelry of all types, but specifically earrings. 

14-Karat Gold: 14k gold is the most commonly used gold for jewelry settings. It's composed of 58.3% gold and 41.7% alloy.  Appearance: 14k gold has a yellow hue brighter than 10k gold, but not nearly as vibrant as 24k gold.  Advantages: Most jewelers and consumers love 14k gold for its perfect balance of durability, affordability, and appearance. It's a bright gold that can handle everyday wear. Disadvantages: There is the potential for allergic reactions to the alloy like with 10k gold. Common uses: 14k gold is the most common type of gold used for engagement and wedding rings. It's also regularly used in other types of wearable fine jewelry. 

18-Karat Gold: 18k gold is one of the less commonly used types of gold since it costs more than 14k gold but doesn't offer many additional benefits. It's composed of 75% gold and 25% alloy. Appearance: 18k gold is slightly brighter than 14k gold. When you think of gold, the 18k hue is probably what you imagine. It's a rich yellow color that contrasts beautifully with diamonds. Advantages: Due to its high gold content, it's unlikely to cause any allergic reactions. Disadvantages: 18k gold carries a higher price tag than 10k or 14k gold and is far less durable. You might end up scratching or scuffing it just through normal daily wear. For this reason, it's not frequently used for rings. Common uses: 18k gold is a nice choice for earrings, necklaces, or other fine jewelry that won't receive many contacts.

24-Karat Gold: 24k gold is pure gold. It has absolutely no alloy added to it. Its bright yellow color is not common in the U.S. or other western countries. However, it's prevalent in China, India, and other Asian countries. Appearance: 24k gold is an extremely bright yellow. Since it's used infrequently for jewelry in the United States, it's easy to tell when a piece is 24-karat gold. Advantages: It's precious. It's best for family heirlooms or pieces only worn for special occasions. Disadvantages: 24k gold is very soft, so that it can bend extremely easily. Common uses: 24k gold is not used for jewelry very often. Instead, it's used more for collecting wealth.

Some other variants of gold alloy include 22k gold and 1k gold. Like 24k gold, 22k is rarely used since it's expensive and not very durable. It might be used for pieces only worn on extraordinary occasions. 1k gold has the lowest possible gold content to be still called gold. It has tiny yellow in its color and is rarely used by fine jewelers.

You will find jewelry examples made of pure metals like platinum, but pure gold is soft and isn't practical for daily wear. Other metals are mixed with gold to make it more durable (and to lower its cost). For example, platinum or nickel can be added to pure gold to create white gold; adding copper produces a rose or pink tint, while silver gives gold a greenish tint. Even though gold will be indifferent carats, it is still classed as solid gold.

Gold-plated jewelry is when a base metal (copper, brass, nickel, silver) is covered with a thin layer of gold, giving a great look but one that will have to be maintained. Gold-plated jewelry can be the biggest source of allergic reactions due to the plating wearing and the base metal being exposed to irritate. Senyda uses Sterling Silver as the base metal to reduce the risk of allergic reactions.

Yes, any metals can be combined. Using a combination of yellow and white golds, or even platinum and rose gold, are nice ways of creating a different look but still having the design you desire.

To help you select the best type of gold for you or your partner, consider the following: Budget: 10k gold is your least expensive option, while 18k gold is the most expensive. Type of jewelry: Earrings, necklaces, or special occasion jewelry often receive less wear and tear than items like rings, watches, and bracelets and thus are more suitable for the higher karat contents. Aesthetic: Think about the intensity of the gold and what you prefer. If you like a lighter, more understated look, consider 10k. If you want something with a brighter yellow look, think about 18k. Selecting the right type of gold for your jewelry is no easy feat, but with a little education and help from the knowledgeable staff at Senyda, you'll have the confidence to make the right choice that will keep you happy for years to come.

A high carat like 18ct would be our recommendation, as it will last the longest and wear the best. The lower carats will still last a long time but are likely to show wear a bit faster. Platinum is also a great option as it is a strong, long-lasting metal, whereas silver is not recommended for wedding jewelry.