Gold Purity

Gold Purity and Carat System Explained

Understanding Gold Purity

Gold purity refers to the proportion of gold in a piece compared to other metals. It is typically measured in carats (K), with 24K being pure gold. The purity affects the metal's color, strength, and value.

Carat System

• 24K Gold: Pure gold, with a purity of 99.9%. It's highly malleable and has a distinct bright yellow color.
• 22K Gold (916): Contains 91.6% gold, with the remainder being metals like silver, zinc, or copper. It's durable while retaining a rich yellow hue.
• 18K Gold: Made of 75% gold mixed with 25% other metals, offering a good balance between purity and strength. Ideal for fine jewelry.
• 14K Gold: Contains 58.3% gold. It's more resistant to wear and tear, making it suitable for everyday jewelry.
• 10K Gold: The minimum standard in the U.S., with 41.7% gold. It's very durable but has a paler yellow color.

Types of Gold

• Yellow Gold: The classic gold color, achieved without much alloy mixing or with balanced proportions of silver and copper.
• White Gold: Gold alloyed with metals like palladium, nickel, or silver, giving it a white color. Often coated with rhodium for added brightness and durability.
• Rose Gold: Contains a higher proportion of copper, giving it a pinkish hue. The more copper, the redder the gold.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is 1 ppm equal to?
• How do you convert to ppm?
• How to convert 1% to ppm?
• How do you calculate ppm?
• Is 916 gold 22K or 24K? 916 gold refers to 22K gold, indicating a purity of 91.6% gold.
• What is a good gold purity for jewelry? 18K gold is often considered a good balance between purity, durability, and value for jewelry.
• Which is better: 18K or 22K gold? 18K gold is more durable and suitable for daily wear, whereas 22K gold is purer and more valuable, better for investment pieces.
• What is the purity of 22K gold? 22K gold has a purity of 91.6%, with the rest being alloyed metals.
• Is 916 and KDM gold the same? Yes, 916 gold is also known as KDM gold, referring to the purity level of 91.6%.
• What does KDM gold stand for? KDM stands for Kadmi, a term used in some regions to denote gold alloyed with cadmium.
• What are the different types of gold available? Common types include yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and green gold, each mixed with different alloys for color and strength.
• Which carat gold is considered 100% pure? 24K gold is considered 100% pure, although actual purity may be slightly less due to traces of other metals.
• What is the lowest purity gold that is still considered gold? 10K gold, with 41.7% gold content, is the lowest standard considered gold in many countries, including the U.S.