Gold Karat Explained: What 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K and 24K Actually Mean

10K, 14K, 18K, 750, 585: gold jewelry comes with a lot of numbers, and they make a real difference to color, durability and price. Here is what each karat means, how to read the stamps and which karat makes sense for the piece you are buying.

What does gold karat mean?

Gold karat measures how much pure gold is in a piece, expressed in parts out of 24. Pure gold is 24 karat. 18K gold is 18 parts gold and 6 parts other metals, or 75% gold. 14K is 58.3% gold and 10K is 41.7% gold. The higher the karat, the richer the color and the softer the metal.

Pure gold is too soft for most jewelry, so it is mixed with other metals, such as silver, copper, zinc, nickel or palladium, to make an alloy that is harder and more durable. Those added metals also change the color, which is how white and rose gold are made. The karat tells you how much of the alloy is actual gold.

What do 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K and 24K mean?

24K gold is essentially pure gold. It has the deepest yellow color, but it bends, dents and scratches easily, so it is mostly used for bullion and some traditional jewelry.

22K gold is 91.7% gold. It keeps a rich, warm yellow and is popular in traditional wedding and heirloom jewelry in many cultures, but it is still soft and best for pieces that are worn with care.

18K gold is 75% gold. It balances a rich color with enough strength for fine jewelry and is a favorite for earrings, pendants and luxury pieces.

14K gold is 58.3% gold and is the most popular karat for everyday fine jewelry in the US. It is harder and more scratch resistant than 18K and costs less, while still looking unmistakably like gold.

10K gold is 41.7% gold. It is the most durable and least expensive of the common karats, with a paler yellow color. It suits pieces that see heavy wear or a tighter budget.

Other karats exist too. 9K gold, at 37.5% gold, is common in the UK and some other markets, and 21K and 23K appear in some traditional jewelry. In the US, 10K, 14K and 18K cover nearly all fine jewelry, so those are the three karats most shoppers compare.

How do you read gold karat stamps?

Most gold jewelry is stamped with its karat, usually on the inside of a ring band, on a clasp or on an earring post. You will see either the karat, such as 14K or 14KT, or a three-digit number showing the gold content in parts per thousand.

The number system is simple once you know it: 999 means about 99.9% gold (24K), 916 means 91.6% (22K), 750 means 75% (18K), 585 means 58.5% (14K) and 417 means 41.7% (10K). The 585 stamp sits slightly above the exact 58.3% for 14K because manufacturers aim a little above the minimum.

Stamps such as GP (gold plated), GF (gold filled) or HGE (heavy gold electroplate) mean the piece is not solid gold. The guide how do I know if my jewelry is real gold? covers other ways to check, and the comparison of gold-filled, gold-plated and gold vermeil explains each layered option.

Which gold karat is best?

For everyday rings and bracelets: 14K gold is the most practical choice. It stands up to daily knocks and scratches better than 18K and costs less. The comparison of 14K and 18K gold goes into the details.

For earrings, pendants and special pieces: 18K gold gives a richer color and higher gold content. Because earrings and necklaces see less wear than rings, the softer metal is less of an issue.

For sensitive skin: higher karats contain less of the alloy metals that can irritate skin, and nickel-free alloys help further. The guide to the best metals for sensitive skin covers what to look for.

For a tight budget or heavy wear: 10K gold is the most durable and affordable solid gold. It looks slightly paler and can darken in harsh conditions because it contains more silver and copper, as the post on why gold jewelry turns black explains.

Does karat affect gold color?

Yes. Higher karats look deeper and more yellow because they contain more pure gold. Lower karats look paler because more of the alloy is other metals. Side by side, 18K yellow gold looks noticeably richer than 10K yellow gold.

The alloy metals also create gold's other colors. Adding copper produces rose gold, and adding white metals such as palladium, nickel or silver produces white gold, which is usually plated with rhodium for a bright finish. A 14K white gold ring and a 14K yellow gold ring contain the same amount of gold; only the other metals differ. The comparison of rose, yellow and white gold covers all three.

Karat does not tell you everything about color, because alloy recipes vary between manufacturers. Two 14K yellow gold pieces from different makers can look very slightly different, which is normal. If you are matching a new piece to one you already own, compare them in daylight before you commit.

How do karat and price relate?

Gold is priced by weight and purity, so higher karats cost more for the same size piece. Gram for gram, 18K gold contains about 29% more pure gold than 14K, and the price reflects that. Design, craftsmanship, brand and gemstones also affect price, so karat is only part of the picture.

Weight matters as much as karat. A heavy 14K chain can contain more gold than a fine 18K chain. When comparing prices, look at both the karat and the weight in grams if the seller lists it. Two chains that look similar online can differ a great deal in how much gold they actually contain, and the weight is what reveals it.

In the US, the FTC Jewelry Guides require gold descriptions to be accurate. Since a 2018 update, sellers may describe any gold alloy as gold only with an equally clear karat disclosure, so the karat stamp and description are your best guide to what you are paying for. For gemstone weight rather than gold purity, see the guide to carat and karat.

"'Caratage' is the measurement of purity of gold alloyed with other metals."

World Gold Council, About gold jewellery

World Gold Council, gold.org

Further reading: 16 CFR 23.3, misrepresentation as to gold content. The World Gold Council, which uses the British spelling carat, notes that 24 carat is pure gold with no other metals. In the US, 16 CFR 23.3 of the FTC Jewelry Guides covers how gold content may be described.

18K yellow gold diamond-cut cable chain

75% gold, rich yellow color

14K yellow gold X earrings

58.3% gold, made for everyday wear

10K yellow gold branch motif hoops

41.7% gold, durable and affordable

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Gold karat is simply how much of a piece is pure gold, out of 24. Higher karats are richer and softer; lower karats are paler and tougher. Read the stamp, match the karat to how the piece will be worn and compare weight as well as karat when you shop, and you will know exactly what you are buying. Every order ships free with a 30-day return policy.

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