Karats & Alloys

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​The gold purity of a gold ring is measured in "karats".  Pure, fine gold is 24K gold, which is soft and malleable for a metal.  Jewelers add alloys to gold to strengthen the metal so it doesn't scratch easily and lose particle, or mass.  The most common alloys are copper and silver.  Please note that different gold jewelry colors use different metal compositions to attain their desired color. 

 

Below are composition percentages for common yellow gold rings:

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10K yellow gold ring composition:

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41.7% gold

52% silver

6.3% copper

 

14K yellow gold ring composition:

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58.5% gold

29% copper

12.5% silver

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18K yellow gold ring composition:

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75% gold

15% copper

10% silver

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Continue to Gold Ring Colors