10K, 14K and 18K Gold: What Is the Difference?

The karat tells you how much pure gold is in the metal, out of 24 parts. 10K gold is 41.7% pure gold, 14K is 58.5% and 18K is 75%. The rest is other metals, which add strength and set the colour. A lower karat is harder and costs less. A higher karat is richer in colour and softer.

10K, 14K, 18K and 22K compared

Karat	Pure gold	Colour	Wear	Where you will find it here
10K	41.7%	Paler yellow	Hardest of the four	Most bracelets, all anklets, a few necklaces
14K	58.5%	Warm yellow	Hard	Many pendants and necklaces, a few rings
18K	75%	Deep yellow	Softer, shows marks sooner	Most rings, all earrings, many necklaces
22K	91.7%	Richest yellow	Very soft, handle with care	One ring

Which karat should I choose?

For something worn every day, especially a bracelet or a chain, 10K or 14K gives you more resistance to scratches and dents. For a ring you will keep for many years, or where colour matters most, 18K is the usual choice. Budget matters too: for the same design, a higher karat costs more because it contains more gold.

Is 10K gold real gold?

Yes. 10K gold contains 10 parts pure gold out of 24, mixed with other metals for strength.

What is the difference between yellow, white and rose gold?

All three are real gold. The colour comes from the metals mixed with it: white gold uses white metals, and rose gold uses more copper. The karat stays the same, so 18K rose gold has as much gold as 18K yellow gold.

Can a pendant and chain be different karats?

Yes. Some of our sets pair a 14K pendant with an 18K or 10K chain. The product page lists the metal of each part.

Still not sure?

Bring a piece you already like to Westmount Square and we can compare it in person. Browse rings, bracelets or necklaces, or ask a jeweller.