18 karat gold is made up of 75% gold and 25% alloy. This type of gold is referred to as 18 karat because 18 out of the 24 parts that make up the gold are pure gold. 18K gold is usually the most pure form of gold used for rings, watches and other wearable jewelry.
18K gold has a rich, yellow appearance that makes it an attractive material for engagement rings and other jewelry. Since 18K gold is almost pure, there’s very little risk of jewelry made using this material causing any skin irritation if you have a nickel allergy.
In short, 18K gold looks fantastic, with the classic yellow appearance that most people associate with gold jewelry.
18K Gold: Advantages and Disadvantages:
- Advantages: As pure as possible while still practical, looks great
- Disadvantages: Expensive and easy to scratch
However, 18K gold also has several disadvantages. First, since it’s quite pure, it’s fairly easy to scratch jewelry made using 18K gold. If you’re active or work in a setting where your ring might bump into hard surfaces, 18K gold might not be the best choice.
18K gold is also significantly more expensive than other types of gold. Compared to a 14K gold ring (read our 14K vs. 18K comparison), which looks similar but not quite as bright or saturated, you’ll usually need to pay upwards of twice as much for an 18K ring.
All in all, 18K gold is a good choice if you want gold jewelry that’s as pure as possible while still offering some practicality. However, it’s not the best option if you need a ring that’s very durable, or if you’re on a limited budget.