Gold Jewelry Buying Guide

The foundation of every piece of jewelry is its material, and gold takes center stage. We've prepared a concise guide on the basic concepts of gold to help you make an informed decision.


1. Gold Colors

Gold is available in three popular colors in the jewelry market:

  • Yellow Gold
  • White Gold
  • Rose Gold (also referred to as “Red Gold”)

Pure gold has a natural yellow hue, but its color can be altered by mixing it with other metals during the casting process. This mixture is called an "alloy."

  • Yellow Gold: Created by mixing pure gold with metals such as brass, copper, or zinc, resulting in the desired golden hue.
  • White Gold: Achieved by combining pure gold with platinum, nickel, or silver.
  • Rose Gold: Formed by blending pure gold with red copper in quantities that produce the desired pinkish shade.

2. What Is 14K or 18K Gold?

The term “karat” in gold differs from its meaning in diamonds. It does not measure weight (gold weight is measured in grams).

When gold is categorized as 14K or 18K, this refers to the purity and quantity of pure gold within the alloy.

24K/28K Gold

Pure gold without any additional metals. However, pure gold is soft, so it is usually mixed with other metals to strengthen the alloy used for jewelry.

14K Gold

This is the most common type of gold used in jewelry, known for its durability and long-lasting properties. It consists of 58% pure gold and 42% other metals.

18K Gold

An alloy consisting of 75% pure gold and 25% other metals.

It’s important to note the price difference between the two: the higher the percentage of pure gold in the alloy, the higher the cost. The price of gold in a piece of jewelry is calculated based on its weight in grams after creating the alloy.


In Conclusion

When purchasing gold jewelry, you’ll need to decide on two main factors:

  1. The color of the gold (yellow, white, or rose).
  2. The type of gold (14K or 18K).

Choose wisely to match your style, preference, and budget!