Metal Guide

Gold Purity

There are various grades of gold purity, determined by the ratio of their alloy composition and rated by a karat system. Typical karat purities range from 10 karats to 24 karats (pure gold), with a wide variation of usage from country to country.

Below are some of the most common gold densities, along with the characteristics and pure gold content of each:

24 Karat Gold
In its purest form, the metal comprises of 100% gold with virtually no alloy metals. Pure gold is extremely soft and pliable, which is why it’s often mixed with other metals, such as copper and silver, to forge jewellery
22 Karat Gold
This level of gold is 91.7% pure which is still too soft to make jewellery and not as durable as 18K or 14K.
18 Karat Gold
This alloy consists of 75% gold and 25% alloy metals. 18 karat gold has been found to be the perfect balance between gold purity and strength. Brilliance offers a variety of exquisite 18 karat gold jewellery
14 Karat Gold
14 karat gold is 58.3% pure gold; the remainder comprises of alloy metals. Any gold purity less than 14 karat gold is not recommended for high quality jewellery.
10 Karat Gold
This tier of the metal consists of 41.7% gold. This is the minimum purity that can still be considered gold in the United States and is not used for high quality jewellery

White Gold

Renowned for its gleaming luster and denseness, white gold is one of the most popular metal choices for jewellery. White gold gets it’s gleaming silver hue from the addition of alloy metals, including palladium, zinc, copper, tin, and manganese. The highest quality of white gold jewellery is generally 18 karats, consisting of a mixture of pure yellow gold and palladium.

Yellow Gold

Known as the most popular shade of precious metal, yellow gold is extremely popular, not only in fine jewellery but in the market today. A mixed array of copper alloys and silver creates its luxurious and warm hue. It gets its warm, lustrous hue from the silver and copper alloys with which it’s mixed. Within the yellow gold family, there can be a marked difference in shading based on the karat weight-for instance, an 18 karat yellow gold ring will be richer and more brilliant in colour than one measuring 10 karats.

Rose Gold

Often known as the most “romantic” metal, rose gold is an extremely popular metal choice for those looking for a feminine or luxurious touch. The combination of copper and silver creates its darker hue. By adding a larger portion of copper to the ring, the “rose” tones in the metal will become more apparent.

Platinum

Platinum is hypoallergenic and is four times more durable than gold. Its silvery-white surface is comparable to white gold, although it’s noticeably heavier.