Karat is marked as “Kt”, “K”, or “K” and represents the pure gold ratio to other alloys or metals in gold jewelry. Jewelers measure it on a scale between 0 – 24. The pure gold ratio shows the value or worth of the jewelry, whether it is a gold ring or another form. For instance, 14k gold rings consist of fourteen pure gold parts, and the remaining 10 parts consist of zinc, nickel, silver, or copper, etc. In the same way, 18K gold jewelry consists of eighteen pure gold parts while the remaining ten are other metals. The highest Karat number indicates the purest form of gold. This is how jewelers indicate the pure gold ratio to alloys or metals to know the actual worth of the jewelry.
14 Karat gold rings are known as one of the most affordable choices when it comes to buying gold rings. Today, we will help you understand all the important facts about 14 Karat gold rings that you must know before you buy one.
Interestingly, gold is available in various colors when it comes to a ring. The most sought-after gold colors for rings are yellow gold, rose gold, and white gold. Therefore, you must decide which color you need before searching for 14k gold rings.
The only gold type that happens naturally is yellow gold. It is a highly soft metal in pure form. Due to this, jewelers have to mix harder materials, such as zinc and copper for jewelry production. Yellow gold comes in an array of shades according to mixed elements’ concentration. It is known as the most prevalent metal for jewelry for decades. It is a kind of gold color that produces the fewest allergic reactions than all other gold colors.
Another benefit of yellow gold is that it is known as the purest gold color available. You can match it easily with lower-color grade diamonds and is also easier to deal with. However, you will have to polish and clean yellow gold regularly. Moreover, it is also susceptible to scratches and dents.
White gold doesn’t occur naturally. It’s a combination of white metals (i.e. zinc, nickel, silver, and palladium) and yellow gold. The alloys make the gold look paler and also offer durability and hardness. Jewelers achieve the silvery-white color through coating with rhodium metal. These days, white 14k gold rings are highly prevalent gold rings among women. It costs less than platinum and is scratch-resistant and more durable than the yellow gold. The reason behind the supreme durability of white gold is the presence of stronger materials.
One possible downside of white gold is that you need to rhodium re-plate after some years for retaining the silvery-white color. Moreover, it may also cause allergies if it contains nickel. Therefore, you must also consider the possible cons of white gold, if you are considering this color.
Like white gold, rose gold also doesn’t occur naturally. It’s a combination of alloys (silver and copper) and yellow gold. Silver and copper metals turn the rose gold sturdier and provide it an elegant rose color. Rose gold is the most affordable of the three gold colors because of the less expensive copper content. Amazingly, it is also sturdier than white and yellow gold because of its copper strength. You can easily match rose gold with low color grade diamonds.
On the other hand, you will have to polish and clean the rose gold regularly which may feel a hassle sometimes. Another possible downside of rose gold is that can also cause allergies. However, the low price and durability of rose gold 14k gold rings make them extremely popular among women.
Gold in its purest form is extremely soft to be utilized in the manufacturing of jewelry. It is the reason behind the mixing of metals, like zinc with pure gold to make it appropriate for production. The lowest purity ratio of the gold alloy means that most of the gold comprises other metals. Consequently, low-k gold rings will most probably cause allergic reactions and skin irritations. However, not all kinds of gold consist of the same nickel concentration. It means if someone is sensitive to nickel, the reaction can only occur if they are certain gold types. For instance, only one of the two same karat gold rings may cause allergy.
If you have nickel allergy issues, we recommend you choose a higher-k grade. Some people cannot wear low karat gold, so they keep wearing higher karat gold rings until they find a perfect type. People who are allergic to nickel should also avoid wearing white gold. Remember that white gold is a combination of metals and yellow gold to give it the white color. White gold may also contain rhodium plating for achieving the silvery-white color. After this layer finishes, the nickel under the layer will touch the skin and irritate. If you are looking for white 14k gold rings, you must make sure that it is free of nickel.
You can identify 14 karat gold by looking at the tag or description of the item you are about to purchase in-store or online. If you are outside a store, you can identify 14 karat gold rings in different ways. The simplest way to identify 14k gold is to check the stamp for the metal mixture of the piece. This stamp is known as a “hallmark”. Gold stamps are different in different countries. A few common 14 karat gold stamps include 14K/14Kt, 14K, and 14K 585. To make sure that you buy the original 14K ring, you must buy from a credible online or land-based store.
14k gold rings are available in different colors, including yellow, white, and rose gold. The 14 karat gold is approximately 58% pure gold and it costs around $36. 14 karat is a reliable quality for jewelry and is always available at an affordable price. It’s a long-lasting grade that most women love for its longevity and affordability. When choosing a 14 karat ring you should keep in mind the things that we have discussed in this article. It should help you pick the right gold color according to your personal preferences.
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