How Many Karats Should Your Ideal Gold Have?

How Many Karats Should Your Ideal Gold Have?
3 min read
23 June 2023

When it comes to gold jewellery, the first thing we notice is its dazzling shine. But have you ever wondered how that shine stays forever? The answer lies in the purity of gold. Gold is a soft metal and needs other metals to make it hard enough for everyday wear. That's why gold purity is measured in karats, indicating the percentage of pure gold mixed with other alloys. Choosing the right karat for your wedding or engagement ring in Omaha can be daunting, but don't worry; this blog post will guide you through everything you need to know about determining your ideal gold purity! 


How is gold purity measured?


Gold purity is measured in karats. Karat indicates the percentage of pure gold mixed with other metals. The best karat gold is 24 karat, but it's too soft for everyday wear and prone to scratches and dents. Therefore, jewellery makers mix other metals like copper, zinc, or silver to make them more durable. The most common karat weights are 14k, 18k or 22k. To measure the purity of gold accurately, jewellers use an acid test that involves scratching a small part of the metal and dropping nitric acid into it. Depending on how much the metal gets dissolved by acid determines its karat weight.

Karats of Gold


Karats of gold are a measure of the purity of gold. The higher the karat, the purer the gold. 24-karat gold is considered purest since it contains 99.9% gold while 18-karat gold has only 75% pure gold. The other metals added to make up the remaining percentage can affect not just its colour but also its durability. For example, copper and silver may be used as additives to create rose or white-coloured alloys respectively.

How to choose the right gold purity for you


When it comes to choosing the right gold purity for you, there are a few factors to consider. First and foremost, it's important to think about your budget and the jewellers in Omaha. The higher the karat of gold, the more expensive it will be. Another important consideration is your lifestyle. If you work with your hands or do activities that may cause wear and tear on your jewellery, a lower karat gold might be more suitable as it is harder and less likely to scratch or dent.

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14 Karat is a family-owned, luxury jewelry store in Omaha, Nebraska. We are Omaha’s best kept secret in fine jewelry. We have been delighting our customers sinc...
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