8 karat gold is 33.3% pure gold. This means that for every 24 parts of the metal, 8 parts are pure gold, and the remaining 16 parts are alloys (other metals).
Understanding Karatage
Karatage is a measurement of the purity of gold. Pure gold is 24 karats. Therefore:
- 24k gold = 100% pure gold
- 12k gold = 50% pure gold
Composition of 8k Gold
8k gold is composed of:
- 33.3% Gold
- 66.7% Alloys (e.g., silver, copper, zinc, nickel)
Legal Considerations
In the United States, gold jewelry must be at least 10 karats to be legally marketed as "gold." However, in some countries like Greece and Denmark, 8k gold is still legally sold as gold.
Properties of 8k Gold
The addition of alloys in 8k gold makes it more durable and less prone to scratching and bending compared to higher karat gold like 24k or 18k. The higher percentage of alloys also affects the color, making it less vibrant yellow than purer forms of gold.
