When researching gold jewelry most people have come across the word "karat" used to describe the quality or worth for a piece of jewelry. It is common knowledge that the higher the karat, the more expensive or valuable the jewelry will be.
But what is a karat? What do all the numbers associated with karat actually mean? What do stamps on a gold piece of Jewelry actually mean?
Below we will explain karats and their actual meaning.
What is a karat?
A karat is defined as the measurement of the fineness or purity of a piece of gold. The fineness of a piece represents the total of fine or pure metal that it contains in proportion to the total weight of the piece, which includes other alloyed metals and any impurities. Karat is not to be confused with the word "Carat." Carat is specifically for Diamonds and other colored gemstones. These are measured in carats per 200mg, meaning for every 200mg of diamond, the higher the carat. Carat has nothing to do with KARAT which only applies to purity in Gold.
In regards to gold, a karat is a fractional measurement of purity for gold alloys, and is measured per 24 parts whole. Pure gold that has not been mixed with any other metals is therefore the highest possible karat, 24 karat (24k) pure gold.
Whereas the most valuable, pure gold is rarely used for jewelry pieces because of its notorious softness and malleability. It has a very well known tendency to scratch, nick, and dent. Because of this, it is usually alloyed with base metals for use in jewelry, making it more durable.
Which karat is the best?
As mentioned above, 24 karat gold is the highest possible number in pure gold, but it is typically mixed with other base metals to create alloys that are more durable and more suitable for everyday wear and use in jewelry. The more an alloy is mixed with pure gold, and therefore the less gold there is, the lower the number of karats. This results in a lower gold content value as opposed to pure gold.
Gold is usually mixed (alloyed) with either silver, zinc, or copper. This will create a different number of karats and often results in a different color or shade of gold, such as rose gold!
Traditional karats used in gold jewelry range from pure gold at 24k, 22k, 18k, 14k or 10k. 9k can also be common from jewelry manufactured in England.
Below we have included a chart that explains the conversion figures of gold from percentages and decimals to karats.
But what is a karat? What do all the numbers associated with karat actually mean? What do stamps on a gold piece of Jewelry actually mean?
Below we will explain karats and their actual meaning.
What is a karat?
A karat is defined as the measurement of the fineness or purity of a piece of gold. The fineness of a piece represents the total of fine or pure metal that it contains in proportion to the total weight of the piece, which includes other alloyed metals and any impurities. Karat is not to be confused with the word "Carat." Carat is specifically for Diamonds and other colored gemstones. These are measured in carats per 200mg, meaning for every 200mg of diamond, the higher the carat. Carat has nothing to do with KARAT which only applies to purity in Gold.
In regards to gold, a karat is a fractional measurement of purity for gold alloys, and is measured per 24 parts whole. Pure gold that has not been mixed with any other metals is therefore the highest possible karat, 24 karat (24k) pure gold.
Whereas the most valuable, pure gold is rarely used for jewelry pieces because of its notorious softness and malleability. It has a very well known tendency to scratch, nick, and dent. Because of this, it is usually alloyed with base metals for use in jewelry, making it more durable.
Which karat is the best?
As mentioned above, 24 karat gold is the highest possible number in pure gold, but it is typically mixed with other base metals to create alloys that are more durable and more suitable for everyday wear and use in jewelry. The more an alloy is mixed with pure gold, and therefore the less gold there is, the lower the number of karats. This results in a lower gold content value as opposed to pure gold.
Gold is usually mixed (alloyed) with either silver, zinc, or copper. This will create a different number of karats and often results in a different color or shade of gold, such as rose gold!
Traditional karats used in gold jewelry range from pure gold at 24k, 22k, 18k, 14k or 10k. 9k can also be common from jewelry manufactured in England.
Below we have included a chart that explains the conversion figures of gold from percentages and decimals to karats.
What do the stamps mean?
While it is definitely possible to come across some pieces of gold that are not stamped with purity, most gold, especially jewelry pieces, will come manufactured with what is known as a "hallmark" as a reference to the purity. Most genuine jewelry that is gold will be stamped with some form of numbers/letters to indicate the karat/gold content. There are some more common hallmarks which can be very helpful to help understand when looking at gold jewelry.
Authentic and genuine gold jewelry should have a stamp to indicate the purity of the gold in the piece of jewelry. This mark can be discovered in multiple different formats. For example: 585, 14kt and 14K will all mean the same thing: 14 karat gold. All of these formats are easy to understand, except for most people, the 3 digit number format.
In the informational graphic above three digit numbers depicted tell how pure the gold is as well. They are measured in the thousandth, so if you want to know the purity percentage, just move the decimal point in one space. For example: 750 is 75.0% pure gold (or 18 karat). How is that number derived? 18 divided by 24 = 0.75, hence 75% Gold Content.
Other stamps that can be included on gold looking pieces can indicate whether a piece has been plated with another metal or not. An Example: GE, which stands for “Gold Electroplate”. GP is another example that means "Gold Plated." These examples mean that the base of a piece is made of one base metal, usually brass or copper, and a certain thickness of gold has been deposited on the base, giving it a gold plating. Gold Plated Jewelry does not have any precious metal value. They can use microscopic amounts of gold to do plating in the electroplating process. At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers of Amarillo, we do not purchase Gold Plated items, but always are buying and paying TOP DOLLAR on karated gold jewelry (10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, 24k)
How can you tell if gold is real?
As mentioned above, any genuine gold pieces will be stamped with a hallmark stating the content of pure gold that the piece contains. Always check for the hallmark. The hallmark stamp is can be found on the clasp of a necklace or bracelet, or in the inner band of a ring. But with this being said, unfortunately there are fakes and counterfeits that are produced to deceive and scam. Just because a piece of jewelry is stamped "14k" doesn't mean that it is not a fake. At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers, we exclusively use XRF X-Ray Technology to harmlessly and quickly test jewelry for authenticity.
A few hallmarks, such as EPNS, EPBM, and GF, also indicate that a piece is not real karated gold. As with Gold Electroplate, these symbols indicate that a piece is not actually made of gold but primarily another metal, and has simply been gold plated or gold filled with a very minimal worth of gold material. (usually a few cents worth)
Where we wish there was a simple "home test" for our customers, this is simply not the case in today's world of fakes, counterfeits and deceptive stamping. The one possibility to test at home would be the Acid Test. The problem with this.... The acids are volatile and dangerous, sometimes inconclusive, and are generally unreliable. Many Gold Buyers still use this method. WE DO NOT! It is damaging on jewelry, the fumes are noxious, and technology has come a long ways from the Acid Test. If you would like a fast, precise and honest assay of your items, look no further! Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers would be happy to XRF X-Ray test your items, and make you a TOP DOLLAR CASH OFFER!
While it is definitely possible to come across some pieces of gold that are not stamped with purity, most gold, especially jewelry pieces, will come manufactured with what is known as a "hallmark" as a reference to the purity. Most genuine jewelry that is gold will be stamped with some form of numbers/letters to indicate the karat/gold content. There are some more common hallmarks which can be very helpful to help understand when looking at gold jewelry.
Authentic and genuine gold jewelry should have a stamp to indicate the purity of the gold in the piece of jewelry. This mark can be discovered in multiple different formats. For example: 585, 14kt and 14K will all mean the same thing: 14 karat gold. All of these formats are easy to understand, except for most people, the 3 digit number format.
In the informational graphic above three digit numbers depicted tell how pure the gold is as well. They are measured in the thousandth, so if you want to know the purity percentage, just move the decimal point in one space. For example: 750 is 75.0% pure gold (or 18 karat). How is that number derived? 18 divided by 24 = 0.75, hence 75% Gold Content.
Other stamps that can be included on gold looking pieces can indicate whether a piece has been plated with another metal or not. An Example: GE, which stands for “Gold Electroplate”. GP is another example that means "Gold Plated." These examples mean that the base of a piece is made of one base metal, usually brass or copper, and a certain thickness of gold has been deposited on the base, giving it a gold plating. Gold Plated Jewelry does not have any precious metal value. They can use microscopic amounts of gold to do plating in the electroplating process. At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers of Amarillo, we do not purchase Gold Plated items, but always are buying and paying TOP DOLLAR on karated gold jewelry (10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, 24k)
How can you tell if gold is real?
As mentioned above, any genuine gold pieces will be stamped with a hallmark stating the content of pure gold that the piece contains. Always check for the hallmark. The hallmark stamp is can be found on the clasp of a necklace or bracelet, or in the inner band of a ring. But with this being said, unfortunately there are fakes and counterfeits that are produced to deceive and scam. Just because a piece of jewelry is stamped "14k" doesn't mean that it is not a fake. At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers, we exclusively use XRF X-Ray Technology to harmlessly and quickly test jewelry for authenticity.
A few hallmarks, such as EPNS, EPBM, and GF, also indicate that a piece is not real karated gold. As with Gold Electroplate, these symbols indicate that a piece is not actually made of gold but primarily another metal, and has simply been gold plated or gold filled with a very minimal worth of gold material. (usually a few cents worth)
Where we wish there was a simple "home test" for our customers, this is simply not the case in today's world of fakes, counterfeits and deceptive stamping. The one possibility to test at home would be the Acid Test. The problem with this.... The acids are volatile and dangerous, sometimes inconclusive, and are generally unreliable. Many Gold Buyers still use this method. WE DO NOT! It is damaging on jewelry, the fumes are noxious, and technology has come a long ways from the Acid Test. If you would like a fast, precise and honest assay of your items, look no further! Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers would be happy to XRF X-Ray test your items, and make you a TOP DOLLAR CASH OFFER!
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