Pure gold (24k) is a soft metal, so jewelers combine it with alloy metals to make it more durable. The higher the karat number, the more pure gold.
Here's a rundown of the characteristics of each karat we offer:
- 10k gold is 41.7% pure gold. It's the most durable karat we offer—great for active lifestyles. The color is more subtle than 14k or 18k, but it's also more affordable.
- 14k gold is 58.3% pure gold. It's the most popular karat, hitting a sweet spot between durability and purity, which is a big factor in the richness of the ring color.
- 18k gold is 75% pure gold. It's the richest in color, but with high gold content, the least scratch resistant. Still plenty durable for everyday wear.
Note: If you're stacking a wedding band with an engagement ring, we suggest matching the engagement ring karat to ensure the colors match and the lower karat ring won't wear on the higher karat ring.
For a more elaborate answer, check out our blog post.