by Jesús Zabala - 5 min read

What Karat Gold Is Best for Necklace?

Gold has always been the most preferred material for jewelry, especially necklaces. However, the purity of the gold, in other words, the karat weight, is very important. So, what karat gold is best for necklace?

We will present some key factors you should consider when buying a gold necklace. You will also find out which gold suits you best when deciding on gold jewelry.

What Karat Gold Is Best for Necklace

Understanding Karat and Gold Purity

Karat refers to the purity of gold in jewelry. Since pure gold is quite soft, to use it in jewelry making, it is necessary to alloy it with other metals to increase its strength.

Therefore, the higher the percentage of gold in the jewelry, the higher the karat value. To make it easier for you to understand the types of karats, we will explain their properties.

24k gold

When pure gold is mentioned, it means 24k gold. Although most gold jewelry combines gold with other metals, 24k gold contains 100% pure gold. Due to such content, this gold is too soft and tends to bend and scratch, making it impractical for everyday use.

However, today, some jewelers have mastered making gold jewelry with 24k gold. Usually, this type of jewelry is collectible, and you will rarely notice anyone wearing it in everyday life.

22k gold

22k gold is 91.67% pure gold, while the remaining 8% comprises other alloys. Adding alloys to the composition of 22k gold increases its durability. Thus, it becomes usable for producing gold jewelry.

Due to its composition, such jewelry can withstand daily wear and tear, but it is affordable for many. If you want a gold necklace with a large amount of gold and good durability, we recommend the jewelry containing 22k gold.

18k gold

Jewelry with 18k gold consists of 75% gold and other alloys and is one of the most affordable options for making gold jewelry. If you are hesitating about choosing a gold chain, 18k might be one of the ideal choices for you.

That is because 18k gold is a cheaper option compared to 24k and is characterized by higher hardness. In addition to necklaces, 18k gold may be an option to buy an engagement ring, bracelet or earrings.

18k gold

14k gold

Regarding 14k gold, it represents the perfect balance between purity and durability. The positive side of 14k gold is that it has a lower price than 24k and 18k gold. Moreover, you do not have to be afraid that the necklace made of 14k will break because it is characterized by high durability and strength.

The reason for its good physical properties is related to its composition. Namely, 14k gold has 58.3% gold and 41.7% alloy. Due to the high percentage of alloys in its composition, this gold has a less strong yellow color than 24k gold.

The only downside is tarnishing, which is very likely to occur. But with proper jewelry maintenance, such an occurrence can be minimal and unnoticeable. Overall, 14k gold is a good investment if you want affordable jewelry.

12k and 10k gold

Low-karat gold, such as 12k and below, contains more nickel and other alloys. The lower the karat, the higher the percentage of alloys, which is also the case with 12k gold.

That is, jewelry made of 12k contains 50% gold, while 10k has 41.7% gold. The high percentage of alloys in this type of jewelry makes it more affordable and durable than other high-karat jewelry.

Another positive aspect of 12k gold is its durability and resistance to wear. On the other hand, 12k gold is more likely to tarnish, so it requires more maintenance. Therefore, if you want to invest in a 12k gold necklace, consider your preferences and its purpose. It may be a good option.

What Karat Gold Is Best for Necklace?

So, which gold is best for jewelry, and what should you consider when buying gold jewelry? Generally speaking, it may be hard to determine the best karat gold for a necklace because it depends on your preferences and the gold characteristics.

However, the ideal may be 14k and 18k gold. The best karat gold is the one that corresponds to the occasion and the way of its maintenance. For this purpose, we included some useful tips on how to choose a gold necklace according to the occasion.

For everyday use

If you want gold jewelry that you will wear daily, we suggest a necklace with 18k gold. This piece of jewelry is the perfect balance between durability and purity due to the presence of alloys in its composition. In addition, there is no need to worry about it getting scratched or torn due to its toughness.

For beginners

If you decide to wear gold jewelry for the first time, we recommend a 21k gold necklace. The high gold content and vibrant color make 21k gold one of the most popular among many cultures. Hence, if you want to give a whole to your fashion style, 21k gold may be perfect.

For sophisticated people

22k gold can withstand daily wear and tear, but it is affordable for many. We suggest 22k gold jewelry if you're looking for a gold necklace with a lot of gold and high durability.

For special occasions

The rich and deep color of 24k gold is always reserved for special occasions. If you are planning a special occasion or have an important meeting, we recommend a necklace with 24k gold, like our Atlas Necklace. Such a piece of jewelry will certainly attract attention and leave an impression of refinement and elegance.

What to Consider When Buying a Gold Necklace

Sometimes, choosing the perfect necklace can be challenging. However, besides the purity of the gold, there are several factors that you should pay attention to. So, we will point out some that we hope will help you in your decision:

Price and availability

The price of the gold necklace is the first thing you should consider. High-karat jewelry has a higher price because of the large percentage of gold compared to low-karat jewelry. Hence, plan your budget well and consider how much you will invest in a gold necklace.

The occasion

In addition to the price, consider the occasion you buy the gold necklace. We recommend high-karat gold for a formal event or meeting. On the other hand, if you want a necklace that you will wear daily, 12k and below are the perfect choice because of their quality and durability.

Durability

As we mentioned, different karats have different physical properties regarding durability and hardness. Jewelry made with higher karats has less hardness and vice versa.

If you want permanent and durable jewelry that you will wear daily, we recommend low-кarat gold. In contrast, high-karat gold is more prone to scratching and bending which is good to wear only on special occasions.

Durability

Conclusion

What karat gold is best for necklace? To sum up, the perfect choice may be 14k or 18k gold.

However, if you are a fan of high-karat gold, you can look at our collection, which contains necklaces with 24K gold. For any additional questions, our team at JewelryLab will be happy to answer them.

We hope we have helped you choose the type of gold necklace and its purity!