People often ask us, What is 18K Gold and Why Is It Better? The answer is simple: it’s the best in both quality and color. Gold is the most malleable of all precious metals, which makes it an excellent choice for crafting designs with intricate details. It’s also resistant to rust, tarnish, and corrosion, making it durable and therefore more valuable. Pure gold is too soft for everyday wear, so it’s alloyed with a mixture of silver, copper, and a trace of zinc to give it the strength and resilience needed for lasting jewelry.
What Does 18K Gold Mean?
When measuring gold, jewelry makers use the ‘karat’ grading system to designate purity. 24 karat is 100% pure, meaning it contains no other alloyed metals. There is no higher level of gold purity than 24K. 18K gold is made up of 75% pure gold and 25% other metals, while 14K and 10K gold contain 58.3% and 41.7% pure gold, respectively.
Why Isn’t 24K Gold Used in Jewelry?
Because pure 24K gold isn’t alloyed with other metals, it is a soft material that can bend, warp and scratch easily. It is for this reason it is not used in the jewelry industry. Instead, 24K gold is often the preferred form of gold for investors, who purchase 24K gold as bars, bullion and coins.
Is 18K Gold Hypoallergenic?
The higher purity level of 18K gold pieces makes the jewelry less likely to trigger skin allergies, rendering it hypoallergenic and suitable even for those with sensitive skin. Although 18K gold still contains copper as an alloy metal, it is only present in small quantities, making the risk of contact dermatitis or other allergic reactions very small, and making it the best choice for children’s jewelry. As 18K has a higher amount of gold, it also offers a richer, more vibrant color.
Why We Use 18K Gold for Children’s Jewelry
Our line is of the highest quality while at the same time fun for kids and attractive for parents, made in Italy and Spain, always in 18K gold and with high quality & lead free enamel with the purpose of avoiding infections and allergies. Children’s skin is sensitive, that is why we at Amalia Jewelry make all our pieces in 18K gold!
We have the largest selection of 18K children's post & screw back earrings, bracelets & charms for kids. We also carry a full collection of 18K gold medals & religious pendants as well as trendy pieces for every age.
How to Tell If Your Jewelry Is 18K Gold
If you’re unsure what karat your jewelry is, you can find out by looking for a number followed by a lower case “k” stamped in small writing somewhere on the piece. All our jewelry is stamped 18K or 750 - The Italian Stamp is 750 because it's 75% gold.
