By now, we hope you understand this: when someone says they are selling or own 24k gold jewelry, they don’t mean it, or they are referring to the gold-plated version of gold? We wish to reiterate that 24k is not used in ordinary jewelry making.
And so, for a better understanding of this, we’ve curated this piece with all the details you need to know about 24k gold jewelry. Keep reading!
About pure gold
As the name suggests, pure gold, also called 24k gold, is the purest version/ type of gold in existence in nature. It is not an alloy like 10k, 14k, 18k, or 22k gold but is made of just gold.
Generally, 24k gold is made of 100% pure gold. You also need to know that pure gold is bright and richly colored in a powerful yellowish-orange color burst that will catch your eye instantly. And so, 24k pure gold is quite valuable and even makes a good instrument for investing your money.
But even with its high luster, value, and bright colors, pure gold is not used in jewelry making, and you cannot buy a wedding or engagement ring made of solid 24k gold.
This is the case because pure gold is one of the softest metals, a feature that makes it impossible to craft 24k gold into durable jewelry in versatile designs.
The softness of this precious metal also means that 24k gold scratches and bends quite quickly, so it would be impractical to use this metal to create rings, chains, earrings, bracelets, etc.
24k gold isn’t alloyed with any other metals – the metal alloys would harden it and dilute its purity level, so it is not used for ordinary jewelry.
24K gold is used in decorative wedding jewelry in Vietnam, China, Thailand, and Singapore. It’s also the preferred form of gold for investors who prefer gold – they use 24k gold in the form of gold coins, bars, and bullions.
- 24K Gold Purity Level
Despite its classification as pure gold, it is worth noting that 24k gold is 99.99% pure, so it doesn’t contain any metals alloyed with it. And so, 24k gold represents the highest purity level for gold.
- Color
As mentioned above, the other thing that stands out from 24k gold is its color – while gold alloys of 10k, 14k, and 18k gold come in three primary colors, 24k gold comes in just one bright, orange-yellow color burst that is always unmistaken. So, you cannot find 24k white or rose gold jewelry.
- Price
24K gold is the most expensive version of or alloy of gold on the market. And though the price of gold generally varies depending on a number of market factors, it is always very expensive, and an ounce would easily set you back more or slightly less than $1500.
Why is pure gold not used for making jewelry?
1. Pure gold is highly malleable.
Pure gold is not used in jewelry making primarily because it is very soft; rather, too soft for use in jewelry making.
Keep in mind that good quality jewelry is made of very durable metals or materials which ensure that the jewelry can easily pass the test of time.
Since pure gold is too soft, it bends easily, and it will have scratch and scuff marks all over within moments of holding it – this will present a considerable challenge during the manufacturing process.
There is also the fact that the softness makes it too delicate to work with, and it would take a lot of time to finesse a piece out of 24k gold. So, unless you want a piece of jewelry made of 24k gold for keeping safe at home rather than wearing, you shouldn’t buy 24k gold.
As mentioned above, 24k gold is only ideal for use as decorative pieces or as investment instruments in the form of coins, bullions, or bars.
So, while some people may argue that its malleability is its winning feature, we also need to consider that even though its malleability means that you can shape 24k gold into pretty much any shape imaginable, it’s just too soft.
You can twist or bend it out of shape too easily. In other words, 24k pure gold is just too soft to create practical jewelry that will withstand one’s everyday lifestyle.
We use our hands for housework, exercise, writing/ typing, gardening, etc. The soft gold will not withstand any of this. And for many people, it makes more sense not to create or wear such jewelry – anything will bend or scratch 24k gold, so 24k gold jewelry is not made.
2. Scratches easily
As mentioned above, the other problem with pure gold is that because of its softness, it scratches pretty easily.
Now, when it comes to stunning and highly desirable jewelry, the shine of the metal or its finish is what many people find endearing.
But with pure gold, the 24k gold pieces will look all shiny and lustrous for a very short time, and as long as you don’t keep touching it or if you don’t expose it to things that will scratch it.
Since that is impossible, creating functional jewelry out of 24k gold is rare, and you hardly ever find this kind of jewelry unless you place a custom order with goldsmiths.
3. It’s expensive
Its functionality aside, there is the fact that 24k pure gold is extremely expensive, and it will not be afforded by most people if it were to be made into jewelry.
With a small market for such kinds of jewelry, it makes very little sense for jewelers to create jewelry made of 24k gold. We need to remember that excellent or fine jewelry is essentially an investment for most people, and a worthwhile investment must be durable.
24k pure gold doesn’t fit the durability vs. purity bill, especially when considering the price tag.
4. It would be impossible to embellish jewelry made of 24k gold.
Thanks to its malleability, pure gold can be used to create different kinds of jewelry and parts incorporated into electronics and all appliances and gadgets, not limited to phones and computers.
This is thanks to the high electrical conductivity of pure gold. Unfortunately, the same level of functionality cannot be said of 24k gold jewelry – it’s malleable.
Still, this metal is also quite soft to hold diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, etc. The settings for these precious stones would be knocked off or bent out of shape too soon after purchase.
5. Hard metals are preferred in jewelry making
There is no worse feeling than buying expensive jewelry, only for it to come apart within days of wearing it. We all know of jewelry pieces that come apart within minutes of wearing them for the first time, and we can agree that we want nothing of that, especially when you have to spend a lot of money on the jewelry.
This would be the case with 24k gold jewelry, which is why it is avoided for everyday jewelry.
Instead, gold alloys made of gold alloyed with other metals are used to create stunning jewelry pieces. Want to know about other alloy jewelry, you can read this post: are alloy jewelry good or bad?
These alloys made of 10k, 14k, or 18k gold(read more about gold alloy ratio here) are very good quality pieces that will retain their shapes for the long run without getting deformed, and the best part is that they will support your precious gems like rubies, sapphires, diamonds, or emeralds, effortlessly.
Pure gold doesn’t offer similar advantages – the alloys do- at a lower price tag than pure gold.
Conclusion
Pure gold or 24k gold is not used in jewelry making because it’s pretty soft and malleable, and it doesn’t create durable or practical everyday jewelry. It is also too expensive, and it scratches and bends so easily.
The only way to use pure gold in jewelry is by alloying it with other metals like copper or silver in different proportions to create solid gold alloys and durable jewelry.
Tiger is a fashion&jewelry lover. He is also a fashion jewelry manufacturer that help thousands of small business to grow and also do business with some big fashion jewelry brands. He is a truly metal expert and he will share some information you are looking for.