While silver and copper are hard enough to make rings and other heavy-duty jewelry, 24-karat gold (pure gold) is very, very soft. Stackable rings, wedding bands, heavy chains, and engagement rings made of 24k gold quickly deform. Because 14-carat gold has a higher alloy content than 18-carat gold, it can sometimes cause itchy and uncomfortable skin if you have an allergy to copper, silver, nickel, zinc or iron. Rings and other jewelry made with 14-carat gold are significantly more durable than those made with 18-carat gold, making this type of gold a good choice if you're worried about marks and scratches.
Knowing the current Gold Rate Today is important when considering the purchase of any gold jewelry. This type of gold is known as 18 carats because 18 of the 24 parts that make up gold are pure gold. The main disadvantage of 10-carat gold is its risk of causing skin irritation if you are allergic to certain metals. In short, 18-carat gold looks fantastic, with the classic yellow look that most people associate with gold jewelry. Instead, 24-carat gold tends to be more popular in China and other Eastern markets, where it is used in traditional Chinese wedding jewelry, such as bracelets, gold ingots and as material for other collectible items.
Because of these factors, it's very rare for 24-carat gold to be used in engagement rings and other types of wearable jewelry in the United States and other Western countries. While gold's purity levels may seem a bit confusing at first, they're fairly easy to understand once you get familiar with the basics. Thanks to the weakening of regulations by the FTC, something can now be called gold as long as it contains 1 carat of gold. Of the four most common gold purity levels, 10K is the most durable, although it also has the lowest gold content.
In general, 18 carat gold is a good option if you want gold jewelry that is as pure as possible and, at the same time, that offers a little practicality. The gold used for rings, bracelets, watches and other fine jewelry is rarely 100% pure gold but instead comes in a variety of different purity levels. If you see a 10-carat gold engagement ring, it's usually a good indicator that the diamond or other gem probably doesn't meet the standards you want. If you prefer something more luxurious and don't mind trading some durability for a more intense gold color, 18-carat gold may be a good option.
