Which Gold Should I Choose?
We are often asked about gold that we use in our jewellery, so we've put together a little guide to understanding gold carats, gold colours and gold ethics.
What is a Gold Carat?
First, let's clarify what we mean by the word "carat" (spelled "karat" in the US, abbreviated as ct or kt). In gold, carat refers to the purity of the gold contained within the alloy.
Pure gold is 24 carats and is a relatively soft metal. For this reason it's traditionally been mixed with other metals to enhance durability and affordability.
The number of carats indicates how much gold is contained with your piece of jewellery.
Here’s a breakdown:
- 24ct: 100% pure gold
- 22ct: 91.6% gold, 8.4% other metals (916)
- 18ct: 75% gold, 25% other metals (750)
- 14ct: 58.5% gold, 41.5% other metals (585)
- 9ct: 37.5% gold, 62.5% other metals (375)
Be aware that the term "Carat" is also used to measure gemstone weight, where one carat equals 200 milligrams – so don’t get confused!
What Is In A Gold Alloy?
The remaining percentage of a gold alloy consists of other metals such as copper, zinc, platinum, or palladium. These metals are added to increase the strength, decrease the cost and to alter the colour. The choice of additional metals influences the final colour and properties of the gold.
14 Carat vs 18 Carat Gold: Key Differences
The main differences between 14 carat and 18 carat gold are durability, price and appearance.
Durability
18 carat gold has a richer, deeper colour due to its higher gold content. It’s traditionally used for wedding and engagement rings because it’s a dense and durable metal. This makes it an excellent choice for everyday wear, particularly for engagement and wedding rings.
14 carat gold has is less rich in colour but its softer tone is great for paler skin tones. While 14 carat is harder it can scratch and be a little more brittle.
Price
Due to its higher gold content, 18 carat gold is more expensive than 14 carat gold. The price of gold is linked to the global markets – so both prices tend to rise at times of uncertainty.
Appearance
Gold is available in three main colours: yellow, white, and rose gold. Each shade varies depending on the carat and alloy mix:
Yellow Gold
This is the classic gold colour, achieved by mixing pure gold with copper and zinc.
14ct yellow gold – Lighter in tone
18ct yellow gold – Deeper, richer yellow
White Gold
White gold generally includes palladium and silver. Depending on the amount of these alloys white gold is often naturally a grey colour. White gold can be rhodium-plated to achieve a brighter white finish, though many prefer the natural look.
14ct white gold – Has a silver-like appearance with a slight yellow tint
18ct white gold – is available in a warm white gold tone, and with a steely grey tint where the ratio of palladium is higher.
Rose Gold
Rose gold has a pinkish hue due to its copper content.
14ct rose gold – More intense pink due to higher copper content
18ct rose gold – Softer pink with a more subtle tone
Which Gold Should You Choose?
Both 14 carat and 18 carat gold are great options, but the choice depends on your preferences and budget. If durability and rich colour are priorities, 18 carat gold is an excellent option. If a gentle metal tone, or affordability are more important, then 14 carat gold is a great alternative and often suits pale skins better.
Fairmined and Recycled Gold
All our designs crafted from 100% recycled gold as standard, sourced from a UK-based casting company with fully traceable materials. This gold is refined from various scrap metal sources - including the jewellery industry, industrial residues, used electronics, and automotive catalysts - before being restored to its pure form and re-alloyed for use.
Flora is a Fairmined registered jeweller and an Alliance for Responsible Jewellery Member. If you'd like to use fully traceable gold, we offer the ethical options of Fairmined Gold and SMO Gold for bespoke designs. You can read more about our ethics here.
We hope that understanding more about our gold will help you to find the perfect jewellery to suit your style!
