Learn about K Gold

Gold jewelry has become gradually popular . One of the major properties of gold is its softness, which makes it difficult to create complex and exquisite jewelry designs from pure gold. Besides, gemstones that are set in gold jewelries could easily fall off because of the softness in gold metal. In order to enhance the strength and toughness of gold metal, people start to mix in other metals to turn gold into an alloy. We call this gold alloy Karot Gold (K Gold).

18K Gold

 18K Gold is a precious metal that we often use, commonly used on craftwork such as watches and jewelries. 18K gold contains up to 75% of gold metal and it gives a lot of advantages to designing and processing high-end gold jewelries. By using 18K gold in jewelries, the design of jewelries can be exquisite and detailed; colors are even richer and more vibrant. 
 
1). Very high in hardness and toughness. High resistance to abrasion and good ability to hold any inlaid gemstones. The hardness and toughness of 18K gold exceed pure gold and platinum, which makes it an excellent setting material for jewelries because it holds gemstones firmly. 18K gold has a load-bearing capacity 3-4x higher than pure gold. 18K gold jewelries can also be worn for a longer period without getting damaged easily.
 
2). Almost every high-end jewelry shop uses 18K gold in their products, for the reason that 18K Gold offers a wider variety in jewelry designs and colors. What more 18K Gold can offer is its artistic nature, this indicates that all designs made of pure gold and platinum can be replicated with 18K gold but not vise versa because of the softness of pure gold and platinum that makes them difficult to tolerate over-fine processing. K gold color varies with the proportion and content of different substances: 18K white gold appears to be white as it contains a large proportion of silver;  18K rose gold appears to be yellowish red as it contains copper; 18K yellow gold appears to be yellowish white as it contains palladium and nickel. The most commonly used K gold colors in jewelries include pale yellow, pink and rose.
 
3). Better in aesthetics and easier to match. Different K Gold color suits different skin colors and age range. K gold is more lustrous than pure gold and platinum, with clear edges and corners, and has a strong sense of internal light, which is exceptionally suitable for matching pearls. Apart from the value of the material itself, the artistic nature of 18K gold is even more valuable. K Gold could be several times higher than in price than pure gold for the jewelries of the same weight due to the craftwork done in K gold.
 
4). 18K Gold can be easily recycled, thus consumers can trade-in or change the designs of their 18K items through gold jewelry shops. This makes 18K maintains its collection value.

9K Gold

9K gold, also known as 37.5% gold, has a gold content of 37.4994. While its gold content is not very high, it is still considered as gold jewelry. However, 9K gold contains more impurities, which can cause discoloration over time, even though gold itself does not tarnish. This can result in the overall fading and dullness of the gold piece. Despite its lower gold content, 9K gold has a higher hardness, making it suitable for setting various gemstones and other decorations. While its gold content may be lower, it can still compete with higher gold content jewelry in terms of aesthetics and craftsmanship.

14K Gold

14K gold contains 58.5% gold, giving it a slightly lighter color compared to pure gold and 18K gold. It is commonly used in the production of jewelry with a European and American style. Well-designed and crafted jewelry is highly popular, with a focus on aesthetics in Western markets, while domestic markets often prioritize value preservation and collection. For intricate designs, it is recommended to use 14K gold for its increased stability. Generally, 14K gold is relatively affordable among precious metals. It has a harder texture, making it resistant to rust and corrosion.

24K Gold

24K gold refers to pure gold with a purity of 99%. Due to its soft texture, the purer the gold, the softer it becomes, making it less ideal for everyday wear. 24K gold, being the gold with the highest gold content among karats, is often chosen by individuals as a valuable and collectible piece of gold jewelry. Men also tend to prefer 24K gold when selecting wedding rings. Although 24K gold has limitations in terms of design due to its softness, it is known for its value retention. In terms of gold content alone, 24K gold is certainly more expensive than 18K gold. However, 18K gold has a higher hardness, making it more difficult to work with, resulting in higher processing costs. Hence, it is normal for certain cases where 18K gold is more expensive than 24K gold. Generally, those who value tradition and investment tend to choose 24K gold, while modern young individuals, who focus on fashion and diverse styles, lean towards 18K gold jewelry due to its rich and innovative designs that cater to their personal preferences.

Silver-plated white gold?

Some sellers on the market may mislead consumers by claiming that certain copper alloys, tin-iron alloys, or silver surfaces are plated with a thin layer of white gold and sell them as gold, making you believe that it is pure white gold. In fact, there is a world of difference in quality and price. These so-called white gold-plated jewelry pieces are mostly made of inexpensive copper or tin-iron, resulting in lower prices. Due to their low cost and short lifespan, they are more suitable for consumers who follow the latest trends, as they can be easily replaced without much regret.

White gold-plated jewelry should generally not be worn while bathing and should be kept dry. When the thin layer of white gold on the surface wears off, it will reveal a grayish-black color of copper, tin-iron, or silver. Electroplated items often contain nickel, which can cause allergies in some individuals, so it is not recommended for buyers with allergies to wear them. While removing the white gold plating from silver jewelry can prevent oxidation, any type of plating, once the surface layer wears off, will reveal its original color unless it is re-plated. Therefore, it is advisable for consumers to inquire and confirm whether the jewelry is made of pure gold or is just plated, ensuring that they are getting genuine products.

Knowing 925 Silver

Silver jewelry is highly favored by young people, especially students, due to its dazzling color, lines, patterns, and affordable prices. The majority of silver jewelry on the market is made of 925 silver, but there are also 990 silver and 999 silver, totaling three types of silver jewelry.

The letter 'S' is the abbreviation for silver in English. Whether 'S' is added to the jewelry is a design standard set by the manufacturer. Some designers may use 'S', while others may use 'Ag' (Ag is the chemical symbol for silver). Therefore, whether it is "S925" or "925," they have the same meaning and there is no difference.

In 925 silver, the number 925 refers to the silver jewelry with a silver content of 92.5%. It is the most common type of silver jewelry and is internationally recognized as the minimum standard for pure silver. 925 silver contains 7.5% copper alloy, which increases the hardness of silver and makes it more suitable for creating various patterns in silver jewelry. The hardness, luster, and brightness of 925 silver are unmatched by 990 silver and 999 silver. This makes 925 silver less prone to deformation and has a higher level of preservation, making it highly popular among many young people.

925 Silver vs K Gold

However, 925 silver also has its disadvantages, which make it difficult to be considered high-end. Its metal properties make it prone to react with sulfur in the air and sweat, resulting in the formation of black substances that cause silver jewelry to lose its original luster and become tarnished.

Compared to K gold, 925 silver jewelry is also softer and more susceptible to scratches.

Considering the above two points, 925 silver jewelry requires more time and effort to maintain. It may not be ideal for consumers who want to wear it on a daily basis, such as while bathing or doing household chores. In the high-end jewelry industry, it is rare to see 925 silver used for setting stones. Have you ever seen 925 silver paired with diamonds? Probably not. It is more common to see 925 silver paired with cubic zirconia, while K gold is often paired with diamonds.