What is 14K Gold?
So, what even is 14K Gold?
The simple answer is that gold is an element that naturally occurs in the world, represented by the chemical symbol Au and atomic number 79. 24K Gold is pure gold, like you would find in nature, but is far too soft and fragile to create jewelry with. That’s why most jewelry brands and designers resort to alloys such as 14K Gold to stabilize the material and make it the perfect option for durable jewelry that will last you through years of everyday use.
14K Gold is a mixture made up of 58.3% gold, and a blend of other materials such as zinc, silver, and copper.
Is 14K Gold Real Gold?
14K Gold is definitely real gold. No jeweler’s create jewelry with 24K Gold like we mentioned above, it’s far too soft and malleable to be used for everyday wear. That is why the vast majority of fine jewelry brands use 14K Gold or other alloys such as 10K Gold and 18K Gold.
Just make sure the item isn’t 14K Gold Plated, Filled, or Gold Vermeil, as those are NOT real gold and will not last as long as 14K Solid or Hollow Gold. They also easily damage, tarnish over time, and can possibly create allergic reactions in some people.
Gems ByGianna only sells 14K solid or hollow, otherwise noted we do sell sterling silver too.
How to Identify 14K Gold?
The best way to identify if something is 14K Gold is by looking closely at a necklace’s clasp, bracelet’s clasp, inside of a ring, or on the backing of a pair of earrings. There will be a tiny stamp most commonly marked “14KT”. This stamp is known as a “hallmark” and the practice dates back to the 13th century where pieces were stamped with purity marks to protect gold buyers from buying fraudulent pieces.
Other common Hallmark stamps include:
- 14K or 14KT
- 14K with Company Logo, such as “CRG”
- 14K P: the P stands for “plumb gold” which means “complete gold”
- 14K 585: “585” refers to the 58.3% pure gold that is found in 14K Gold
What is 14K Gold Made Of?
14K Gold is made of 58.3% pure 24k gold mixed with a blend of alloys to keep it sturdy and durable enough for everyday fine jewelry.
The exact blend of materials differs based on the specific color of 14K Gold you are buying.
Different 14K Gold Colors:
The 3 different colors you can find in 14K Gold are Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, and White Gold. Or, a blend of all three known as Tricolor Gold. There are some very beautiful tricolor gold necklaces you can buy, or bracelets.
14K Yellow Gold:
14K Yellow Gold is made of 58.5% Pure Gold, 33% Copper, 5.5% Silver, and 3% Zinc.
14K Rose Gold:
14K Rose Gold is made of 58.5% gold and 41.5% copper.
14K White Gold:
14K White Gold is made of 58.5% Pure Gold, 24% Copper, 9% Zinc, and 9% Nickel.
Content written and owned by Design Gold Jewlery: https://designgoldjewelry.com/blogs/design-gold-jewelry-blog/what-is-14k-gold-made-of