10K, 14K, 18K, 22K — a karat measures how pure the gold is, not how much it weighs. Here's what each one means, which to choose, and how purity changes both durability and value.
Pure gold — 24 karat — is beautiful but soft, too soft to hold a diamond securely or survive daily wear. So jewelers mix it with stronger metals like copper, silver and palladium. The karat number tells you how much of the mix is actually gold: the higher the number, the purer, richer and more valuable the gold — and, past a point, the softer it gets.
Every piece at Bizak & Co. is tested and confirmed by Arkadius Bizak — three decades in Miami's trade since 1996 — so you always know exactly what you're buying. If you own gold, we can test and appraise it too.
The most durable and affordable, with a paler color. Common in everyday and fashion pieces.
The U.S. favorite — a rich gold look with real everyday toughness. The sweet spot for most rings.
Warmer, more saturated color and higher value, a touch softer. The choice for fine and luxury jewelry.
Very pure, deep yellow and soft. Prized for investment and cultural pieces more than daily wear.
| Karat | Gold | Stamp | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10K | 41.7% | 417 | Durable, budget-friendly everyday wear. |
| 14K | 58.5% | 585 | Everyday fine jewelry — durability & value. |
| 18K | 75% | 750 | Luxury pieces — richer color, higher value. |
| 22K / 24K | 91.6% / 99.9% | 916 / 999 | Investment & heirloom pieces; very soft. |
For a ring you'll wear every day, 14K is hard to beat: rich enough in color, tough enough to protect your stones, and sensibly priced. Choose 18K when you want a deeper, more luxurious gold and higher intrinsic value, and don't mind a little more care. 10K stretches a budget and shrugs off wear; 22K and above are for those who value purity and cultural tradition over everyday hardness.
Yellow, white and rose gold are all the same karat purities — the color comes from the alloy. White gold adds white metals (and usually a rhodium plating); rose gold adds copper. Deciding between white metals? See our guide to platinum vs. white gold.
Karat measures purity, not weight. Pure gold is 24K, so 14K gold is 14 parts out of 24 gold — about 58.5% pure, stamped 585 — with the rest made up of stronger alloy metals. It's the most popular choice in the U.S. because it balances a rich gold look with everyday durability.
Neither is simply better — it's a trade-off. 18K (75% gold) has a richer color and higher intrinsic value but is a little softer. 14K (58.5%) is more durable and affordable. For everyday rings, many people choose 14K; for a more luxurious color and feel, 18K.
The difference is purity. 14K is 58.5% gold (stamped 585); 18K is 75% gold (stamped 750). 18K is warmer in color and worth more per gram, while 14K is harder-wearing and less expensive.
Yes, for the same weight. Higher karat means more pure gold, so 18K is worth more per gram than 14K, and 22K more than 18K. But higher karat is also softer, which is why very high karats are less common in everyday jewelry.
Start with the hallmark — genuine gold is usually stamped 10K/417, 14K/585, 18K/750 or 22K/916. Marks can be faked, though, so an acid or electronic test by a jeweler confirms both that it's gold and its karat.
Yes. We confirm karat and weight and provide written appraisals for insurance, estate or resale — by mail, nationwide, with no obligation to sell.
Not sure what karat you have, or what it's worth? We test and appraise gold in writing — honest and independent, by mail nationwide.