The "K" in terms like 10K and 14K gold stands for karat, which signifies the purity of the gold.
Understanding Gold Karats
The karat (K) system is used to indicate the proportion of pure gold in a piece of jewelry or gold item. A higher karat number means a higher percentage of gold.
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24K Gold: This is considered pure gold, meaning it contains 99.9% gold. It's the highest purity you can generally buy. However, it's also very soft and easily scratched, making it unsuitable for many types of jewelry intended for daily wear.
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Lower Karat Gold (e.g., 10K, 14K, 18K): Lower karat gold contains less gold and more of other metals (alloys) like silver, copper, zinc, or nickel. These alloys are added to increase the gold's hardness, durability, and alter its color.
Karat Breakdown
Here's a breakdown of common gold karats and their gold content:
| Karat | Gold Percentage (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% |
| 18K | 75% |
| 14K | 58.3% |
| 10K | 41.7% |
Why is Gold Mixed with Other Metals?
Pure gold (24K) is too soft for most jewelry applications. Mixing it with other metals creates a more durable and scratch-resistant alloy. The type and proportion of the alloy metals also affect the gold's color. For example, adding more copper can give gold a reddish hue (rose gold).
Examples
- A ring marked "14K" contains 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% other metals.
- A necklace marked "18K" contains 75% pure gold and 25% other metals.
In summary, the "K" in gold indicates the karat, a measure of gold purity, with 24K being the purest and lower karats containing a mix of gold and other metals for increased durability and altered color.
