24K is more valuable, and better as a store of value or investment, while 10K gold is more durable and better for practical use. 14K and 18K gold are in the middle, and generally best for jewelry.
Pure gold is notated as 24K – this is the highest karat level for gold meaning it is 100% pure gold. 18K gold is 75% purity level, 14K is 58.3% purity level, and 10K is 41.7% purity level. As you can see, the higher the karat number, the more pure gold comprises the metal.
Gold is expensive, no matter what karat it comes in. 10k gold is the most affordable but still comes with a sizable price tag, meaning 14k gold has a significantly higher price to it. Although overall, purchasing 14k gold over 10k gold will get you more value for money depending on how far your budget can stretch.
One advantage of 10k is that it is more durable than 14k. Because it has a lower gold content it's stronger, and less likely to scratch, scuff or bend. A second advantage is the price - it's less expensive than 14k because it has less gold.
You might hear that 10 karat gold is the lowest purity. This isn't strictly true, in fact gold jewelry can be found in 9k, 8k, and even lower. When you consider this, 10k gold certainly isn't worthless, and is still of interest to pawn shops.
Based on a price of $2000/ounce (which was reached in early August of 2020), an ounce of 10k gold would be worth $833.33. At Express Gold Cash, we pay up to 90% of that value for gold bullion and up to 85% of the refined value of gold jewelry.
The price of 10k gold varies because there are many local pawn shops that deal on 10k gold. some pawn shops pay around $1250 for an ounce of pure gold. You can get $16.35 per gram for 10k gold jewelry, and 423.50 per gram for 14k gold jewelry.
The biggest advantages of 10k gold are its cost and durability. 10k gold is the most budget friendly, making it a good option if you're shopping for a ring or other jewelry on a tight budget. The main disadvantage of 10k gold is its risk of causing skin irritation if you're allergic to certain metals.
Yes, you can shower with a 10K gold chain, but it's best not to do this frequently. Soaps, conditioners, shampoos, and other products can leave a residue on your 10K gold chain, so you must take care to properly clean it after you shower with it.
Due to its sturdiness, all favour the most affordable option, a 14 karat gold jewellery item. A higher amount of alloyed metals makes 14K gold more resistant to wear and tear. And as it is harder and more durable, it is ideal for making daily-wear jewellery, especially for an active lifestyle.
The most noticeable difference between each karat option is the gold color. Because pure gold is naturally yellow in color, the higher the karat, the more yellow the metal will appear.
throw the term heirloom or heirloom-quality around…but what do we mean by that? Basically, we refer to our solid gold pieces here at GLDN—both 10k and 14k—as heirlooms because they'll last a lifetime and can be passed down to future generations.
Everyday Wear
10K gold is made so that it's durable enough for daily activities without losing its charm. Like any other gold jewelry, remove it before engaging in activities where there is a risk of damage, such as household chores, yard work, or other physical labor.
10K or 14K gold is the best for daily use. These types of gold are more durable and more scratch-resistant, making them better for practical use. However, as we explained above, choose 14K over 10K gold if you have the chance.
10K gold is worth quite a bit less than higher-karat golds, but it still has some value. It's made up of 41.7% pure gold and has a value of around $25 per gram, which is certainly not nothing. If you're interested in selling your jewelry, check out our selling gold article.
"Sweat and friction can cause gold to leach out of jewelry," notes Dr. Dao.
Gold Jewelry Care Tips
To clean gold jewelry, use a solution of warm water and detergent-free soap with a soft-bristled brush. Then, polish it with a specialized jewelry polishing cloth or jewelry cleaning solution. When not worn, store your gold pieces in soft cloth bags or the original box to help prevent scratches.
Tarnish occurs on gold jewelry when the gold is exposed to air and oxidizes. Tarnish is a natural occurrence on all gold that is not pure. Some folks like the look of aged, tarnished 10K and 14K gold (called a patina).
While some may find it subtle and charming, most jewelry aficionados dislike the pale coloration of 10k gold. Higher likelihood of skin irritation. The high alloy content increases the likelihood of an allergic reaction - especially if the alloy used is nickel or zinc.
For example, the marking '417' means 41.7% gold, which is 10 karats.
10K Italy gold is a type of genuine gold produced in a particular place. If you see a piece stamped "Italy," it indicates that an Italian artisan or brand produced the jewelry.
The current price of 10k gold is $26.19 per gram. This price is updated every 5 minutes for your convenience.
Now if you go back onto eBay and search for 10k gold class rings, you will discover pretty quickly that most of them are being sold for prices that are pretty close to that $423.00 price point that we mentioned just above. (Smaller ones are selling for less, bigger ones for more . . . but that is obvious.)
The current gold price of 24k 1Gram in Australia is A$93.23 (Australian dollar). This is based on the current spot market value of gold and the specific purity level of 24k.