Gold is a precious metal that has been used for jewelry and other decorative items for centuries. There are different carats of gold, with each one having its own unique properties. In this article, we will discuss the difference between 9ct, 18ct, 22ct & 24ct gold. We will also talk about the pros and cons of each carat weight so that you can make an informed decision when purchasing gold jewellery.
9ct gold
9ct gold is an alloy of gold and other metals, typically copper. It is 9 parts gold to 24 parts metal, making it 37.5% pure gold. 9ct gold is the most affordable type of gold jewellery on the market and it is also surprisingly the most durable. It is the fact that it has a lower gold purity that means that it is not as expensive. 9ct gold looks more coppery coloured than other carats of gold due to the higher content of non-precious alloys.
18ct gold
18ct gold is an alloy of gold and other metals, typically copper and silver. It is 18 parts gold to 24 parts metal, making it 75% pure gold. 18ct gold is more expensive than 9ct gold. Although it is not quite as hard as 9ct gold it is still durable enough for everyday wear. 18ct gold looks more like the colour we expect to see when it comes to gold. It is not coppery like 9ct, but at the same time it does not have the orangey hue of 22ct & 24ct gold.
22ct gold
22ct gold is also an alloy of gold and other metals, usually copper and silver. It is 22 parts gold to 24 parts metal, making it 91.67% pure gold. 22ct gold is the most expensive type of gold jewellery on the market (24ct gold is rarely used as it is even softer). Because it contains more gold than other carats, it is more valuable. However, because it contains more gold than other carats, it is also softer and not as durable. 22ct gold is fine for wider wedding rings but is a little delicate for Diamond engagement rings. 22ct has a slightly orangey colour. 22ct gold is often seen in investment coins like Krugerrands & sovereigns.
24ct gold
24ct gold is the purest form of gold that you can buy. It is 24 parts gold to 24 parts metal, making it 100% pure gold. 24ct gold is the most expensive type of gold jewellery on the market. It is also the softest and most malleable type of gold, which means it is not as durable as other carats. It is so soft in fact that it is rarely used in jewellery. However, its purity makes it the most valuable type of gold. 24ct gold has a slightly orangey hue due to its high level of purity. It’s high value manes that 24ct gold is mainly seen in investment bars. The purity on gold bars is marked 999.9 rather than 1000 (parts per 1000). This is incase there are any minor impurities in the gold.
In conclusion, 9ct, 18ct, 22ct & 24ct gold all have their own unique properties that make them suitable for different purposes. 9ct gold is the most affordable and durable type of gold, while 24ct gold is the most expensive and purest form of gold. When purchasing gold jewellery, it is important to consider what you will be using it for in order to choose the right carat weight.
