Purity of Gold | Metal Guide | Learn

Here at Taels we exclusively offer 18ct (carat) gold jewellery.

What are Carats?

Carats, or 'ct', measure gold purity when mixed with other metals. In Australia, we typically see 9ct gold or 18ct gold. In other countries like America, their gold is generally 14ct.

So what are the differences between all the carats in gold jewellery?

24ct gold is gold in its most pure form. It has a bright and rich yellow appearance. However, it is very soft and prone to scratching and isn’t generally recommended for jewellery pieces.

18ct gold consists of 75% gold alloyed with 25% of other metals, usually silver, copper and palladium. It is the perfect blend of quality and durability, with a warm and rich yellow colour. 18ct solid gold is the best option for sensitive skin, due to the lower amount of other alloys. Perfect for everyday wear! Due to its high gold content it retains its value over time.

14ct gold consists of 58.3% gold alloyed with 41.7% of other metals. It has a slightly higher durability than 18ct solid gold but compromises its quality. It has a chance to cause skin irritation, as it comprises higher amounts of other metals.
Due to the lower gold content it 14ct gold is a paler shade of yellow compared to 18ct gold.

10ct gold consists of 41.7% gold with 58.3% of other metals, it has higher durability than 18ct and 14ct but compromises on the quality of gold, being made up of less than 50% gold. It has a high chance of causing allergic reactions due to the large amount of other metals. It is a very budget friendly option for jewellery, but will not retain its value over time.

9ct gold consists of 37.5% gold, with 62.5% of other alloyed metals. In some countries it isn't even considered gold, due to its low amount of actual gold content. It usually has a slight reddish appearance due to the higher amount of copper used. It has a very high chance of causing skin irritation.

Why would you settle for something that isn't even considered as gold in other parts of the world?