When you look through most jewelers’ glass or online display, what you see is not gold, silver, or bronze. All the jewelleries found there (unless otherwise specified) are made of gold.

Trusted wedding jewellery suppliers carry gold that comes from various places. People mostly hear about Chinese gold or Italian gold but what is most important to remember is that gold has the same physical properties wherever in the world it was mined. The names are only meant to identify where the gold ores came from.

There are varied methods to process gold and turn it into jewellery. The main difference in value depends on the level of alloy mixed with it.

Here are some of the different Gold Karat Values that you’ll want to check:

24 karats (Pure Gold)

24 karat gold is also called pure gold or 100 percent gold. This means that all 24 parts in the gold are all pure gold without traces of any other metals. It takes on a distinct bright yellow color .

There is no higher karatage of gold than 24K. Since this is the purest form of gold, it is naturally more expensive than 22K or 18K gold.  This type of gold, however, is lesser in density as compared to gold of a lower karatage which makes it soft and pliable.

22 karats (Chinese Gold)

Among the classification of gold, Chinese gold has the highest karat value at 22 karats. This means it has 22 parts metal alloy containing zinc. An alloy is a mixture of metals and elements. Zinc gives gold a richer tone.

14 karats (Italian Gold)

What people refer to as Italian gold is 14 karats, which means it is 14 parts gold and 10 parts metal alloy. Italian gold contains more copper that makes it appear reddish.

A piece of jewellery is more expensive when it has a higher gold content. But just because it’s more expensive does not necessarily mean it has better quality. Gold jewellery reacts with the user’s acidity and thus a 14 karat or an 18 karat gold jewellery is more advisable for wearers. The value of workmanship is also added since 14 karat or 18 karat gold is easily fashioned into jewellery .

Keeping gold in its yellowish form means there is little need to mix it with an alloy to add color. In making wedding bands, jewellers use fifty eight percent gold as its basis. The 42 percent is made of alloys. Adding rhodium makes it white gold and copper gives it a rose gold hue.

It’s important to note though that most clients prefer white gold out of aesthetics because it goes well with practically anything. It can also be both formal and casual so wearing white gold jewellery has a dual purpose.

So which gold karat value is best for you and why?

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