Yellow Gold Buying Guide

What do the different karats mean?
The highest karat of gold is golden yellow 24k- pure gold. It is way too soft to be used for everyday jewelry, however. That is why lower karat allows are used. You'll typically see 10k, 14k and 18k. 18k yellow gold is 75% real gold, while 14k is 58.5% pure gold and 10k is 41.7% gold. The remaining portion is a mix of other metals called an alloy that is used to add strength.

What karat gold should choose?
While it comes down to personal preference, you may want to choose lower karat gold jewelry for its strength if you lead an active lifestyle or desire a dainty or intricate desgin.

18k gold has a slightly warmed, more lustrous color. With its high gold content, it is highly hypoallergenic- the best choice for those with metal allergies or sensitive skin.

Why is gold valuable? Is gold a good investment?
Throughout history, gold has been highly valued for its beauty and scarcity. As one of the most malleable metals, it is perfect for jewelry making and myriad other applications, such as electronics and dental. Because it does not corrode or tarnish, its value will never depreciate and its luster can last for centuries. It is often seen as a stable investment that will keep its value even when other commodities drop.

What is gold plated jewelry?
Gold plated jewelry is usually a low-end base metal such as brass or copper that has been electroplated with a layer of gold. Typically only between 0.5 and 2.5 microns, gold plated jewelry contains only a minuscule fraction of gold that typically wears off.

What is gold vermeil?
Similar to gold plate, vermeil is a layer of gold over silver. In order to be true vermeil, the plating must be at least 2.5 microns thick.

What is gold filled?
While gold filled jewelry also has a base metal- typically brass- core, gold gilled jewelry has a much thicker layer of gold- often 100x thicker than gold plate. This makes it much more resistant to wear and tear long term. Gold fill typically contains 5% real gold. This also makes it the most hypoallergenic alternative of the three.

What to look for when buying gold jewelry:
When buying or evaluating gold jewelry, look for marking or labels that indicate the gold content. Karated gold will typically be stamped with 10k, 14k, or 18k. Gold fill jewelry will usually be marked with a fraction, such as 14/20, or GF. Gold plated jewelry may be marked with GP. These are just a few of the marks that exist in the trade, however, so always take your jewelry to a jeweler if you have any questions. Beware of phrasing like "gold colored", which may not include any real gold at all.