Gold symbolizes wealth and prosperity. As a result, gold has played a critical role in human civilization for centuries. This dense, soft yellow metal is valued for its beauty, rarity, and durability. Throughout history, gold has been used for making ornaments, currency, and precious decorative items.
Gold has been in use since ancient times. Gold jewelry and ornaments have been found in Egyptian tombs since 2600 BC. Gold was used for making currency in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations as early as 800 BC.
Gold continues to captivate people’s imaginations and remains an important part of worldwide cultures. It is still highly sought after for its investment value and jewelry-making use. Gold is also used in medical devices, aerospace technology, and electronics.
The price of gold is determined by its purity measured by karat. Here we list 8 of the most expensive types of gold and discuss their features and uses.
8. 9k Yellow Gold
Percentage of gold: 37.5%
Hallmark: 375
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9k Yellow gold is the cheapest option for those who want to use yellow gold. It is an alloy of gold and other metals such as silver and copper. 9k yellow gold contains 37.5% gold. In the jewelry industry, the typical composition used for 9k gold is 37.5% gold, 42.5% silver, and 20% copper. However, other combinations can also be used.
Due to its high proportion of other metals, 9k yellow gold is harder than higher karat golds and more suitable for regularly-worn jewelry, such as rings, earrings, bracelets, etc.
9k yellow gold has a warm, rich tone, but the color is slightly paler than higher karat golds. Depending on the alloy composition, it may also have a greenish or reddish tint.
Did you know?
In the US, jewelry made with 9K gold cannot be marketed as gold. The legal minimum accepted standard for gold is 10K. 9K gold is accepted as gold in the countries such as the UK, Canada, Mexico, France, Portugal, and Ireland.
7. 10k Yellow Gold
Percentage of gold: 41.7%
Hallmark: 417
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10k yellow gold is a popular and affordable choice for jewelry-making that offers durability, a warm color, and a lower price point than higher-karat gold alloys.
10k yellow gold contains 41.7% pure gold and 58.3% other metals, usually copper, silver, and zinc. In the jewelry industry, 10k gold is usually made with 54% silver and 6.3% copper.
The color of 10k yellow gold can vary depending on the specific metal blend, but it generally has a warm yellow hue similar to pure gold. The other metals in the alloy can also affect the color of the gold, with copper adding a reddish tone and silver adding a whitish tone.
10k yellow gold is a popular choice for people who want to buy gold jewelry on a limited budget. However, the resale value for this jewelry can be significantly lower.
Did you know?
10k gold jewelry may not be suitable for people with sensitive skin. It may cause rash and irritation due to the presence of other materials.
6. 14k Yellow Gold
Percentage of gold: 58.3%
Hallmark: 583
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14K gold is one of the most popular options in the US, especially for ornaments that are worn regularly, such as engagement rings, wedding bands, etc. It is composed of 58.3% gold and 41.7% other metals, usually 30% silver and 11.7% copper.
It is a good balance between the durability and value of higher-karat golds and the affordability of lower-karat golds. Because of its higher gold content, 14k yellow gold is typically more valuable and has a higher resale value. It is also more durable and less prone to scratching or bending than higher karat golds such as 18k or 24k.
The color may appear slightly paler than 18k gold and have a greenish or reddish tint. However, 14k yellow jewelry can be an ideal choice if you have an active lifestyle.
5. 18K Yellow Gold
Percentage of gold: 75%
Hallmark: 750
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18k gold contains 75% gold. Usually, 15% silver and 10% copper are used in 18k gold to achieve the desired tone. It has a luxurious, opulent hue, unmistakably rich and warm, with a deeper, more intense color than lower karat golds such as 14k or 9k.
It has a timeless and classic appearance and is often associated with high-end jewelry and fine craftsmanship. It is also commonly used for luxury watches and other accessories.
18k gold is softer and malleable than lower-karat goAs a result, it. It makes it easier for jewelry makers to work with this metal and allow them to create intricate and delicate designs.
However, the softness of 18k yellow gold also makes it more susceptible to scratches and dings than lower-karat gold. Therefore, it may require frequent polishing or repair to maintain its appearance over time.
4. 18K White Gold
Percentage of gold: 75%
Hallmark: 750
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When we use the term gold, we usually refer to yellow gold. However, other gold alloys, such as white gold and rose gold, can be equally expensive if they have the same karat weight. White gold jewelry can be a little more expensive due to its manufacturing process.
18K is the most expensive white gold, which contains 75% pure gold. White gold was invented to replicate the look of platinum.
It is made by mixing pure gold with white metals like nickel, palladium, or silver. The end price depends on the other metals used.
Did you know?
White gold jewelry is usually plated with rhodium, a shiny metal from the platinum group, to improve its appearance. Without this coat, white gold alloy retains a slightly yellow sheen.
3. 22K Rose Gold
Percentage of gold: 91.6%
Hallmark: 916
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Like white gold, rose gold is not a metal in its own right; it is an alloy of gold. This slightly pinkish metal alloy is made by mixing gold with copper and sometimes other metals like silver or zinc.
The price of rose gold primarily depends on its percentage of pure gold. 22K rose gold contains the highest amount of pure gold, and thus it is the most expensive. However, using 22K rose gold is uncommon in the US. 14K and 18K rose golds are typically used for making jewelry such as engagement rings, watches, and other fashion accessories.
Did you know?
Rose gold was first used for making jewelry during the 19th century in Russia. Thus, it is often referred to as Russian gold.
2. 22K Yellow Gold
Percentage of gold: 91.6%
Hallmark: 916
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22k gold is the most expensive type of gold used in jewelry making. It contains 22 parts pure gold and 2 parts of other metals. 22k gold is usually made of 91.7% gold, 5% silver, 2% copper, and 1.3% zinc.
Using 22k gold in jewelry is more common in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and India. In western jewelry designs, 22k gold is not usually used because it is softer and more prone to scratching or damage than lower-karat gold.
22k gold has also been used for making gold coins, as it is more durable than pure gold and can withstand the wear and tear of being passed from hand to hand.
Did you know?
In Inca civilization, gold was seen as the sweat of their sun god. They used to make religious objects with gold to offer prayers to god.
1. 24K Yellow Gold
Percentage of gold: 99.9%
Hallmark: 999
image source www.usgoldbureau.com
24k yellow gold is the most expensive type of gold. It is made up of 99.9% gold and is not alloyed with other metals, making it the most malleable and ductile of all precious metals. It is not suitable for making jewelry because it is soft and bends easily.
24k gold is more commonly used for making medical equipment and electronic components due to its conductivity and resistance to corrosion. This type of gold is also used for investment purposes. Bullion coins and bars made of 24k gold are popular choices for investment.
Did you know?
Nearly all the gold found in the world did not originate on Earth. They came from meteorites that hit earth some 200 million after the planet existed.
