Newlyweds in 2020 are fortunate to have virtually endless options when it comes to creating their wedding bands and engagement rings. There are numerous things to think about while shopping for rings, from selecting the diamond form to deciding if they want a simple or extravagant setting, to what metal they want that setting to be made of. It can be difficult to determine which option is truly the finest with so many options available. While there is no “correct” option, it’s always a good idea to conduct some thorough study and familiarize yourself with all of your alternatives when it comes to your diamond shape and metal!
What kind of metal you’ll use for your ring or band is a crucial choice. Different precious metals, such as platinum, titanium, and others, are used to make engagement rings. However, gold is by far the most often used metal.
Gold is available in a variety of colors and is gorgeous, pricey, and a wonderful complement for just about every setting or stone. However, if you have your heart set on gold, realize that decision-making doesn’t stop there. You must also take into account the karat, which is a measure of the gold’s purity. Although 14k and 18k gold are the more widely used and advised selections, it’s crucial to comprehend why 24k gold engagement rings are frequently out of stock.
What Constitutes 24 Karat Gold?
What is 24 karat gold? The rarest form of gold is 24 karat, which is unalloyed. The question “Is 24k gold pure?,” which is frequently posed, has a positive outcome. 100% pure gold is 24 karat gold. Because of its deep golden hue, 24k gold is particularly cherished. The color of the metal will appear richer (or more yellow-orange) the more gold is present. In comparison, 14k and 18k gold will appear slightly less yellow.
Jewelers do not advise using 24 karat gold for your wedding band or engagement ring, despite the fact that it is stunning. This is because a piece of jewelry that will be worn often would need to be less flexible due to the high percentage of gold. Simply said, 24k gold adds more starry brightness, but because it’s delicate, it’s difficult to keep it that way.
Gold hues
White, yellow, and rose gold are all available in 10, 14, and 18 karat gold, but only yellow gold is offered in 24 karat gold. This is due to the fact that 24k gold is entirely made of pure gold and does not contain any alloys or other metals. Copper, silver, nickel, palladium, and zinc are some of the most popular metals to blend with gold. These three prevalent colors are determined by the metals that are employed and their proportional presence. While rose gold includes more copper, white gold contains more nickel and zinc. The only type of metal that can be used to make 24k gold is yellow gold.
Purity
Gold is available in a range of purity levels, including 14k, 18k, and 24k, in contrast to other precious metals like platinum and palladium. The term “carat”—which is more commonly used to refer to your diamond’s actual weight and is one of the four Cs of a diamond—should not be confused with the term “karat,” which measures the purity of the gold.
The karat system, which gauges the purity and proportion of pure gold to other metals in jewelry, serves as the foundation for the grading system for gold. The greater the karat rating, the more gold is present. The 24k variety of gold is the purest since it has the highest available carat grading. However, does knowing about the carat system really matter while looking for an engagement ring or wedding band? It does, indeed!
Durability
As you well know, 24 karat gold is made entirely of pure gold. Without the addition of other metals, 24 karat gold is very fragile and prone to being easily scratched and bent. Jewelers advise against using 24k gold for your wedding bands, engagement ring, or any other fine jewelry because of this. When exposed to everyday wear and tear, pure gold just does not hold up.
Price
The amount of pure gold in 24k gold is the highest, making it the most expensive gold type. Although the cost of gold fluctuates from year to year, at the time this article was written, 24k gold was selling for $1,780.75 USD per ounce. Contrast this with the price of 14k gold, which is currently $1,035.3 USD per ounce. Only 14k and 18k gold is available from Clean Origin; 24k gold is not. 18k gold is an excellent option if you want to buy a gold setting or ring that has the maximum gold content available and is yet strong enough to wear every day. Nevertheless, 18k gold will still cost a few hundred dollars more than 14k gold. For instance, the price of our straightforward Quiet Beauty Solitaire ring is approximately $740 for 14k gold and $1,065 for 18k gold.
Should I Select 24 Karat Gold?
Despite its prestige and beauty, 24k gold is not a wise choice for wedding bands, engagement rings, or any other fine jewelry you frequently wear. We advise selecting 14k gold if you’re seeking for a setting composed of gold. In addition to being more reasonably priced than 24k gold, 14k gold is also more robust and resistant to daily wear and tear. You have more alternatives because 14k gold also comes in a range of colors like white gold and rose gold! Another excellent precious metal for wedding bands and engagement rings is platinum. It has a tint similar to silver, is much more resistant to wear than gold, but is also more expensive. Contact our team if you’re still debating which metal to use for your environment.
