The Differences of 18k and 14k gold and Platinum
Before discussing the differences beween 14k and 18k gold, it's important to understand what a karat is and what 14k and 18k mean. Karat is a measure of gold's purity. 24 karats is pure gold and has the brightest color, but is too soft to be used for jewelry. In order to be able to use gold for jewelry applications, manufacturers mix gold with other metals to harden it. The difference between 14K and 18K is simply the amount of pure gold vs. the amount of other metals used: 24K = 100% Gold 18K = 75% Gold and 25% other metal 14K = 58.3% Gold and 41.67% other metal The other metals alloyed (melted, or mixed) with gold will change the color of the final metal, and this is how the color of yellow gold and white gold are achieved. White gold may still contain a yellowish tint at the final stage, as the alloyed metals are not strong enough to overcome the yellow color in gold. Many jewelers therefore plate the wedding band with a thin coating of Rhodium, a metal in the Platinum family of metals. This provides a bright white finish similar to Platinum and covers the yellow color.
Should I choose 14K or 18K gold for my wedding band?
Below are the differences to help make your decision: 18 karat gold is a popular choice because it offers a good balance of strength and gold color. It is more expensive because it contains a higher percentage of pure gold, 75%. 14 karat is a respectable choice offering a less expensive option with more durability, although it may not be as bright as 18K or 24K. 14K gold contains 58.3% pure gold. Because 14K has a larger percentage of alloys than 18K, the 14K ring is thus slightly ‘harder’ and more scratch resistant than the 18K ring 1- Scratch Resistance: Most importantly, alloys are harder than gold. So because 14K has a larger percentage of alloys than 18K, the 14K ring is thus slightly ‘harder’ and more scratch resistant than the 18K ring. If you plan on leaving your rings on for activities outside your workplace or home, or if you lead an active lifestyle, we recommend purchasing 14K gold. 2- Allergic Reactions: Some people are allergic to the metals alloyed with gold. If this is the case, we recommend using Platinum as your wedding band metal, as it is hypo-allergenic. White gold should be your next option as the ring is likely to be plated with Rhodium, a hypo-allergenic metal. Note that this plating wears off over time and you will need to re-plate your ring every 1-2 years. You may notice a discoloring of your finger or allergic reaction occurring when the plating begins to wear off, as the metals are now interacting with your skin.
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