You have just gone down on your knee and she said yes. You have been waiting to hear that word like your entire life depends on it, actually, it does.
Congratulations. You are already looking for a wedding ring. You prefer a customized ring rather than a ready-made one you can find at the jewel store because she is special and you want something unique that says that and communicates your personal stories.
You are balancing between achieving this dream and not hurting your finances.
At the jewelers, you have just heard that there are two options, 10K gold and 14K gold and you want what the hell that is and why two numbers and a K with the name gold should vary in price, well, this article shall help you understand between 14k and 10k gold so that you can make the best choice for your wedding ring.
We shall:
- Define the meaning of karats
- Look at 14k-gold definition in jewelry making
- Look at the pros and cons of 14k-gold in jewelry making
- Look at 10k-gold in jewelry making
- Pros and cons of 10k-gold in jewelry making
- Examine the difference between 10k and 14k-gold
- Compare 14k vs. 10k-gold- Which is better for making jewelry and why?
Let’s roll.
What does K mean?
The K added to describe gold stands for karat. Pure gold consists of 24 equal parts called karats. Karat is the standard measurement of gold. The karats tell you the degree of purity in gold.
Pure gold contains 24 karats of gold and cannot be used for jewelry making because it is very soft. It is extremely bright and far from the rich luscious yellow common associated with gold in jewelry.
Alloys are added to the types of gold that can be used for making jewelry. The amount of gold in the combinations is measured in karats. The higher the karats, the purer the gold alloys.
What is 14k-gold in jewelry making?
14k-gold is an alloy of gold that contains 14 karats of gold combined with other metals. The gold is 58% pure gold and 40% alloy metals.
The alloys make it stronger while the higher gold content give it the rich appearance of gold with a warmer brighter shine than 10K-gold.
14k gold is hypoallergenic due to the high percentage of gold in the metal hence will not cause allergic skin reactions when your fiancée wears it. It is among the favorites for goldsmiths who create jewelry.
What are the Pros and Cons of 14k-gold?
14-k gold comes with several advantages and disadvantages when used in jewelry. Below is a look at the pros and cons.
Pros
- The astounding blend of purity, durability, and value for money
14K gold offers you more durability because of the higher degree of purity in the gold. Your jewelry will last because the higher degree of purity in 18k gold naturally improves the quality making it more resilient to scratches, discoloration, and fading.
It is a durable option for most people with very active lifestyles that may expose the jewelry to scratches, dents and warping, and other damages.
- Naturally hypoallergenic
The high purity of14k gold jewels mean that it has more gold than the alloy components. Gold is a hypoallergenic component. Gold is so safe that recent advancements in fashion and cosmetology use it for skincare.
Your fiancée is safe with a 14k-gold jewel because it cannot cause an allergic reaction on her skin. She is perfectly safe even if she has very sensitive skin to metallic elements.
- Affordable
Even though 18k-gold jewels are slightly more expensive than 10k gold jewels, they are very affordable. The price difference between them and the 10k-gold is not a larger margin and they deliver better results.
They are also far way cheaper than 18k-gold jewels by such a wide margin of the price difference.
- Availability
You are more likely to find a 14k-gold engagement ring than a 10k gold engagement ring when you go shopping for one.
This is because most vendors will stock it as they shun the 10k-gold option which is the last legal limit of the gold that can be sold as jewelry.
- Refined aesthetic beauty
The high percentage of gold compared to alloy metals in 14k gold gives it a deep warm luscious yellow color that shines. The beauty it oozes will warm your heart and turn heads whenever you wear your jewel.
90% of engagement rings made and sold in the US, UK, other western countries and parts of the world are 14k. This tells you that 14k-gold is value for money apart from all the advantages we have listed up there.
Cons
- It has a slightly lesser golden appearance than 18k-gold which is purer.
- It is more expensive than 10k gold and may require that you add more from your pockets to get the ring of your dream.
What is 10k-gold in jewelry making?
19k-gold is made by combining 10 karats of gold with copper and nickel allows. It is formed by 41.7% gold and 58.3% copper and nickel alloy.
It is the kind of metal you should consider if what you want is a cheap golden ring that is stronger. 10k gold will give you a tougher wedding ring than 14k because it has more alloy than gold.
The hardness and ability to be comfortably exposed to tougher conditions than 18k-gold come at a heavy price. 10k-gold jewels can cause allergic reactions in people allergic to metals due to the high nickel content.
Nickel is a well-known allergic reaction catalyst in many people with hypersensitive skins that are reactive to certain metals. It may be unsuitable for you or your fiancée to wear if you have sensitive skin, it may waste your hard-earned money spent on it.
10k-gold is the least acceptable limit of gold that legally sold in the United States of America.
What are the Pros and Cons of 10k-gold?
Pros
- Very affordable
The notable merit of 10k-gold is that it is so price-friendly. This is since it is less pure than 14k gold. Buying an engagement ring made from this type of gold will cost you much less than buying a wedding ring made of 14k gold.
- More durable
10k gold is ironically more durable than 14k gold if the two variants are exposed to tough environments. The smaller amount of pure gold against the alloy metals makes it stronger than 4k gold.
It will be more resistant to scratches, dents, scuffs, and warping. The higher percentages of the other alloys also safeguard from other forms of damage.
- Convenient for an active life
With 10k gold jewelry, you are free to wear the jewelry daily and participate in vigorous activities without inhibitions.
There is no worry of any kind that your ring or necklace will get ugly scratches that require polishing or acquire dents and other damages that will take you back to the jeweler because nickel hardens the metal.
Cons
- Dull appearance
The low quantity of gold in this metal in contrast to the alloy metals gives it a very dull appearance that is a little bit further from the color that most people associate with gold. It appears slightly washed out and lacks vibrancy which may be unappealing when used to make jewels.
- Trigger for allergies
10k-gold-made jewelry is not advisable to wear if either you or your fiancée have hypersensitive skin that reacts to metallic elements. The low purity of gold in the metal takes away its hypoallergenic properties.
The high concentration of nickel aggravates the already bad situation as it triggers an allergic reaction in very many people. If you or your fiancée happen to be sensitive or allergic to nickel, it may cause adverse problems.
Differences Between 10k and 14k-Gold
14k-gold and 10k-gold are two distinctly unique metals, despite sharing gold in their compositions, as we have illustrated. Included in the table below is an overview summary of the main factors that distinguish the two metals you can base your choice of jewelry on:
| Gold Type | 14k-Gold | 10k-Gold |
| Karats | 14
| 10 |
| Color | Pale yellow-dull
| Lustrous yellow |
| Hypoallergenic | yes | No (nickel causes allergic reactions) |
| Labels | 10k, 10Kt, 10 karat, 417 | , 14kt, 14k, 585, 583 |
| Ratio | 58.3 gold:41.7 alloy
| 41.7 alloy: 58.3 gold |
| Purity | 58.3%
| 41.7% |
| Cost | Slightly expensive
| cheap |
| Strength | Softer due to more gold | Tougher due to more nickel |
You can notice from the table shared above that these two metals differ despite sharing a few similarities, such as having gold in their composition and the same copper and nickel alloys.
The question you may be asking yourself now is how based on these differences, which one among the two alloys should you choose for your wedding ring? Here is something you should think about that will help you find some clarity.
Gold Color Depending On Karat
14k-gold contains 14karats of gold while 10k-gold contains only 10karats which translates to 58.3% Gold and 41.7 percent alloy or 14parts of gold to 10 of alloy in 14k-gold.
The 10k-gold has 10 parts of gold and 14 of alloy, equivalent to 41.7% gold and 58.3% alloy. The ratios explain why 10k gold is pale yellow while 14k gold is a lustrous yellow and closer to the color of pure gold.
14k gold has a deep grounded yellow shade due to the high percentage of gold in the alloy. 10k gold on the other hand has a light shade of yellow that some people view as whiter because of the less amount of gold in the alloy to the other constituent metals.
14kGold vs 10k gold-Which is better for making jewelry and why?
Neither the 10k nor the 14k-gold is a hundred percent better in all regards. Each of them will be a better choice instead of the other in different situations.
10K gold would be a better purchase for a ring you want to wear daily because of its hard scratch-proof properties. A 14k-gold ring that is won regularly will be more likely to acquire scratches and wear out rapidly due to the alloy metal being softer and more beautiful in color because of more gold in it than there is in the 10k-gold ring.
The 10k gold adds the plus of being less expensive to the equation to even the odds.
However, if you consider nickel as a person with sensitive skin, you will avoid 19k gold and pick 14k gold. Finally 14k gold has a better appearance on your jewelry than 10k gold.
The decision you make to spend more is a balance between choosing a rich beautiful color with a slightly lesser durability or a dull paler color with more durability as you settle on either the 10k-gold or the 14k-gold ring.
Conclusion
10k and 14k are two unique metals, each with its own merits and demerits that can make you a statement jewel. You can choose the glamour and security found in the 14k gold or opt for the toughness and durability at a cheaper price presented by the 10k gold variety.
You can also decide if the extra money you need to purchase a 14k-gold ring is worth it and make an informed decision within your comfortable budget.
Overall, whatever you choose, it is paramount to go for what makes you happy.
You guys can read more jewelry metal articles here or here!
Leo is an Amazon Seller. He is selling fashion jewelry & fashion Products on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.jp. He writes a lot of fashion jewelry reviews and some great Fashion buying guides. He will teach you guys how to save money online.