Gold jewelries are timeless ornaments that will always attract attention with their captivating beauty and allure. Their varying colors alongside their metal composition and karat creates a wide range of options for jewelry enthusiasts to choose from.
In this article, we will discuss the different types of gold jewelry, exploring their colors, karat and composition.
Source: Pinterest
The Basics of Gold Jewelry
Gold jewelries are basically categorized according to their purity levels. While some are pure gold, others are alloyed with additional metals.
Pure Gold vs. Gold Alloys
Pure gold is composed of 100% gold content, without any addition of extra metals. It is highly valued for its purity, however it is soft and unsuitable for making daily use of jewelry.
Gold alloys, on the other hand, is a mixture of pure gold with some metals for better durability in making jewelry.
Common Metals Mixed with Gold
Several metals can be mixed with pure gold to enhance its durability. They include zinc, copper, nickel, iron, palladium, platinum, silver, aluminium, etc. The mixture of these colors results in gold pieces with different color, purity, and durability, making them suitable for several designs.
Different Types of Gold Color
| Color | Composition | Best Uses |
| Yellow Gold | Gold + Copper + Silver | Classic Jewelry, Wedding Bands |
| White Gold | Gold + Nickel/Palladium + Rhodium | Engagement Rings, Modern Designs |
| Rose Gold | Gold + Copper | Trendy Jewelry, Vintage Styles |
| Green Gold | Gold + Silver | Unique, Artistic Pieces |
| Black Gold | Gold + Rhodium or Oxidation | Edgy, Contemporary Jewelry |
Yellow Gold Jewelry
Yellow gold is a warm colored jewelry whose color is derived from a mix of gold with copper or silver. This conventional gold color still retains the primary gold color (yellow) regardless of its metal composition.
The jewelry color ticks the luxury status and is often used to make classy jewelry and wedding bands. Amongst the types of gold jewelry colors, yellow gold requires the least maintenance and it almost never rust or tarnish.
Source: Pinterest
White Gold Jewelry
White gold jewelries are solid pieces formulated by mixing gold with strong metals like platinum or rhodium. They come in different purity and durability. A professional white gold jewelry manufacturer uses 90% gold with 10% additional metal.
This gold color is appropriate for engagement rings and other modern jewelry designs. Compared to yellow gold, it is more durable and resistant to scratch due to the use of stronger metals.
Source: Pinterest
Rose Gold Jewelry
Rose gold jewelries come in shades of rose, red, or pink. They are formed from a mix of gold with copper; the type of color shade that appears on the jewellery depends on the content of copper composition. High copper content results in red gold; pink gold has the lowest copper content; while rose gold contains average copper content.
A rose gold jewelry manufacturer specializes in making trendy and vintage jewelry pieces. Unlike white gold, rose gold does not require rhodium plating because its color does not fade thanks to its strong, fine surface.
Source: clingold.com
Green Gold Jewelry
Green gold jewelries are formed from the natural combination of gold and silver. The metal alloy created through this process is known as electrum. Its color shade includes green-yellow with 14%-29% silver content and pale green-yellow with 29%-50% silver content.
This gold color is used for creating unique, artistry jewelry pieces. The eccentric color on its jewelry creates visual interest, especially when combined with valuable gemstones.
Source: Pinterest
Black Gold Jewelry
This is an alloy developed from a mixture of gold with rhodium or formulated through a metal oxidation process. Black gold jewelries attain its color through 75% gold and 25% metal alloys.
Black gold stands out from the different types of gold color for its compatibility to edgy and contemporary styles. Its surface contains microscopic patterns created through laser treatment to make it stable and less prone to physical damages.
Source: Pinterest
Different Types of Gold Karat
Gold karat simply defines the purity of gold jewelry. It is used to measure the density of gold to metal composition present within a jewelry. Gold karat is represented with the “K” symbol. What are the different karats of gold? They are 10k, 14k, 18, 22k, and 24k.
| Karat | % of Gold | Durability | Common Uses |
| 10K | 41.7% | High | Everyday Jewelry, Budget-Friendly |
| 14K | 58.3% | Moderate | Engagement Rings, Popular Choice |
| 18K | 75% | Low | Luxury Jewelry, High-End Designs |
| 22K | 91.7% | Very Low | Cultural Jewelry, Investment |
| 24K | 100% | None | Rarely Used in Jewelry |
10k Gold Jewelry
10k gold jewelry contains 41.7% pure gold, offering exceptional durability and affordability, which makes it a great choice for daily wear items like rings, necklaces, and bracelets. Its scratch-resistant quality makes it a durable option, however, its muted shine and potential nickel content make it less desirable by many.
10k gold is commonly used for budget-friendly, sturdy pieces that are appealing to practical buyers seeking reliable, long lasting jewelry at budget friendly prices.
14k gold is commonly used for delicate jewelries that meet popular choices for engagement and wedding rings. It is composed of 58.3% pure gold, making it a likely option for those willing to balance purity with affordability. The balance between the metal and solid gold gives it a durability level that makes it less likely to scratch or bend when compared to higher karat gold.
14k gold jewelry is very common and available in various colors like yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. However, their tones are almost dominated by metal alloy hues.
18k Gold Jewelry
This type of gold jewelry is 75% pure gold and is prominent for making sophisticated pieces due to its striking, gentle, and elegant shine.
Compared to lower karat golds, 18k gold jewelry is a more suitable option for those with sensitive skin and its value makes it desirable for high-end pieces. Although, it is a bit soft and unsuitable for use in harsh conditions. Also, 18k gold is more expensive than lesser gold karats, making it desired by those who see their jewelry as a form of investment.
22k Gold Jewelry
22k is a metal alloy with the highest purity level, containing 97% gold purity. It stands as a symbol of status & wealth, and great for creating luxurious watches, ornaments, and other traditional artifacts.
22k gold carries almost the same rich color as 24k gold due to its purity level, however it is much more durable for jewelry making. On the contrary, it is not suitable for everyday wear jewelry due to its soft nature.
Source: Pinterest
24k Gold Jewelry
This is the purest form of gold (100%) which comes with no metal alloy. This type of metal is less desired for jewelry making; it is rather used as a store of wealth.
It stands out from the different types of gold karat for its rich and bright color. It’s rarely used for making jewelry because of its soft texture and high susceptibility to damage. 24k gold is the most valued type of gold often collected by investors who purchase it as bars, bullions, and coins.
Source: Pinterest
Different Types of Gold Composition
| Type | Composition | Gold Content | Best Uses |
| Solid Gold | Entirely gold alloy (e.g., 10K, 14K) | High | Heirlooms, Investment Pieces |
| Gold Filled | 5% Gold layer bonded to brass/silver | Moderate | Fine, semi-luxury Jewelry |
| Gold Vermeil | At least 2.5 microns gold layer over sterling silver | Moderate | Demi-fine Jewelry |
| Gold Plated | Lower than 2.5 microns gold layer over brass/silver | Low | Everyday Fashion |
Solid Gold Jewelry
Solid gold jewelry is composed of entirely pure gold or mixed with metals, such as 24k, 22k, 18k, 14k, or 10k. One good advantage of solid gold is that it retains its value and can be easily liquidated into cash. Jewelries made of solid gold have the highest gold content, which doesn’t fade or wear down easily.
Source: Pinterest
Gold Filled Jewelry
This type of jewelry is fabricated by bonding gold layers to the surface of base metals like copper, silver, or brass. This is done to introduce the appearance and durability of gold to a lower quality metal. A gold filled jewelry is required to contain at least 5% gold to boost its durability and resistance to tarnishing.
Source: Pinterest
Gold Vermeil Jewelry
Gold vermeil is achieved through the fusion of gold (at least 2.5 microns of gold) and sterling silver. Layers of gold are bonded over the sterling silver’s surface to create a gold-toned jewelry that is strong and durable. The combination of these unique elements births a luxurious finish that is long lasting and quite affordable.
Gold Plated Jewelry
This is developed by coating the surface of copper, brass, or silver with thin gold layers usually of 0.5 to 2.5 microns. The gold plating only gives the jewelry an appearance of gold, while lacking its durability. Gold plated jewelry is a popular option for those who seek the aesthetic of gold but at a lesser price.
Source: Pinterest
How to Choose the Right Gold Jewelry?
Several considerations need to be made to choose the right gold jewelry, they include:
Everyday Wear vs. Special Occasions vs. Investment
Jewelries required for everyday wear must prioritize durability over value. In this case, gold vermeil jewelry and lower karats of solid gold (10k and 14k gold jewelry) should be considered.
Special occasions require using luxurious, high quality gold jewelries with bright colors like gold filled, or 18k and 22k gold jewelries.
The right gold for investment is 24k gold because it is the purest and appreciates in value overtime.
Budget and Karat Selection
While choosing a gold jewelry, your budget will determine the type of gold karat you will get. A low budget ranging between $40 to $58 will get you 10k and 14k gold per gram. Those with a taste for high-end pieces like 18k and 22k must have a budget within $72 and $88 per gram. Finally, 24k which is the highest gold price is worth at least $93 per gram.
Skin Tone and Color Preferences
The best gold color for those with cool skin is white gold. People with a neutral skin tone can choose yellow or white gold color. And people with warm skin tone should opt for yellow or rose gold color.
Caring for Gold Jewelry
In order to maintain the rich shine on a gold jewelry, it is necessary to proffer necessary caring techniques. Here are some tips to administer.
Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
Jewelry cleaning should be carried out using a solution of warm water, mild soap, and specialized cleaning fabric. This should be done as gently as possible to avoid surface scratch or dent on soft gold. Cleaning jewelry on a regular basis will prevent dirt from building up on its surface, thereby maintaining a bright shine that lasts for many years.
Storing Gold Jewelry Properly
Gold Jewelry should be stored properly in a jewelry box or pouch, away from direct sunlight and chemicals. High karat gold needs to be stored in separate boxes to prevent their soft surface from scratch. While engaging in rigorous activities that may lead to sweating or expose jewelry to excess moisture, it is advisable to take off the jewelry before engaging in such.
Conclusion
The different types of gold jewelry are distinguished according to their color, karat, and metal composition. All these fused together determine their durability, aesthetic, and monetary value.
Above all, it’s important that you contact a reputable gold jewelry manufacturer for whichever gold jewelry type that suits your needs.
FAQs
Is White Gold More Expensive Than Yellow Gold?
Yes, white gold is more expensive than yellow gold because it is alloyed with expensive metals like palladium or rhodium.
Which is Better 10k 14k or 18k Gold?
It totally depends on what the buyer wants. In terms of durability, 10k and 14k is better. However, in terms of luxury and high resale value, 18k gold is better.
What Karat Gold is Best for Earrings?
14k and 18k are the best gold for earrings. They both contain enough alloy to provide both durability and the rich yellow color that captivates gold buyers.
What Gold Jewelry to Buy for Investment?
24k gold is the most appropriate jewelry to buy for investment purposes. This is because it is the purest and most valued type of gold on any market.
How Often Does White Gold Need to be Dipped?
Dipping should be done on white gold every six months to one year. The dipping process will help the jewelry retain its shine for a long time.
