Have you seen the value of gold, or its beauty, and wanted to obtain some for yourself? If so, you will see the many types of gold, purities of gold, and gold colors you can buy.
Rather than stressing out about all your gold options, let’s look at one of the most affordable options for gold jewelry: 10-karat gold.
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What is 10-Karat Gold?
A karat of gold refers to a part of gold compared to the whole. Karats measure on a one to twenty-four scale on a per-weight basis.
Thus, this system ranks a piece of gold jewelry on its level of gold compared to other metals present. 10-karat gold is an alloy of gold blended with other materials to improve the gold’s durability and luster.
Pure gold, also known as 24K gold, is a soft metal that is easy to damage or dent in everyday use. 10K gold, thanks to the presence of other alloyed metals, better resists being struck or exposed to the elements.
These elements make 10-Karat gold similar to 14K gold or 18K gold. Both 14-karat gold and 18-karat gold have other durable metals blended into the gold, but at a lower amount than what you see in 10-karat gold.
What is in 10K Gold?
Using the karat measuring system, a 10K gold item contains 41.7% gold and 58.3% other metals. An inexpensive metal like copper, as well as other valuable metals like silver and platinum, can make up parts of the alloy.
Thanks to the higher amount of different metals, 10K gold tends to be the most durable of the different karat rankings of gold jewelry.
Uses of 10K Gold
The blend of metals in 10K gold makes it an excellent choice for daily wear. Also, because this blend contains the lowest percentage of gold, it is an affordable option for those that want gold items like wedding rings or gold necklaces without having to pay high prices.
Still, you’ll find this type of gold in many different kinds of accessories:
- Jewelry
- Wedding rings
- Diamond engagement rings
- Gold chains
- Bracelets
- Earrings
- Watches
Types of 10K Gold
There are several types of gold based on what alloy metal blends with the gold: yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold.
Yellow Gold
Known for its distinct yellow color, yellow gold uses metals like zinc and copper to bring out the yellow tones of gold.
This type of gold is the most common as it brings out much of what makes gold appealing to look at while still cutting back the price of the item thanks to the use of inexpensive metals and the low gold content.
White Gold
White gold uses white metals like palladium, manganese, or nickel to obtain its white, pale color. Nickel is the favorite choice for creating a piece of jewelry that can take a hit or two, but palladium and manganese each offer their own beautiful luster while still offering affordable jewelry.
White gold jewelry has a classy and clean look, making it a popular metal for rings and necklaces. A white gold piece of jewelry can cause skin irritations in those with skin sensitivity or metal allergies.
Still, white gold makes for a good substitute for platinum without costing as much money.
Rose Gold
Finally, rose gold is an alloy between gold and copper that creates a vintage look and romantic feeling in its color.
Also called pink gold, rose gold is a popular choice for wedding bands or engagement rings looking to capture a different feeling than the traditional one.
However, much like white gold, rose gold can cause skin irritations in folks that respond poorly to copper.
Pros and Cons
Gold alloys like 10K gold have plenty of positives going for them, such as:
Pros
- Won’t cost as much as 24K gold of the same size or weight, thanks to the alloyed metals present.
- This form of gold holds up in daily wear than 14-karat gold.
- Different types of gold, such as white gold, rose gold, and yellow gold, can be made compared to using pure or real gold.
Cons
However, using impure gold can hurt some of the benefits of pure precious metal. Some of those downsides include:
- Gold jewelry of this form of gold still requires regular maintenance despite its durability.
- Due to the gold purity, 10K gold items don’t sell as well or maintain their value as well as higher percentages of gold.
- The type of gold used can cause an allergic reaction to those allergic to certain metals.
10K vs. 14K: Which Gold is better?
10K gold and 14K gold are popular options for gold jewelry. Both contain enough additional metals to improve the durability of the real gold jewelry they make up without losing the look that makes gold aesthetically pleasing.
The most significant difference comes down to price. 10K gold jewelry won’t cost as much as 14K gold pieces, making 10K the better choice from a price standpoint.
However, 14K gold will retain its value better in the long run, thanks to the increased amount of gold in the piece.
Is 10K Gold Any Good?
While 24-karat gold is popular for its value and economic worth, 10K gold allows a person to obtain and wear gold jewelry without fear of destroying their piece.
For those investing in gold jewelry for the appearance and not the long-term value, 10K gold pieces are worth the price.
FAQ’s
Here are some answers to common questions out there about 10-karat gold:
