With gold trading at record highs, many clients are asking more thoughtful questions about what they’re actually paying for. One of the most common is about karat — specifically the difference between 10k, 14k, and 18k yellow gold. The assumption is often that higher means better. The reality is more nuanced.
Karat refers to how much pure gold is present in a piece. Twenty-four karat gold is pure gold. Eighteen karat is seventy-five percent gold. Fourteen karat is 58.5 percent. Ten karat is 41.7 percent gold, with the remaining percentage made up of alloy metals that add strength and durability.
That alloy content matters more than people realize. The higher the gold content, the softer the metal. Eighteen karat yellow gold has a rich, saturated tone that many people love, particularly in European and Asian markets where higher gold content has long been culturally preferred. It carries a beautiful depth of colour, but it will show wear more readily over time.
14k gold sits comfortably in the middle and has become the standard in North America. It offers a warm yellow tone with added durability, making it a practical choice for engagement rings and daily wear pieces.
10k gold, often misunderstood, is actually incredibly durable. Because it contains more alloy metals, it is harder and more resistant to scratching. In fact, 10k was extremely common in the 1940s- 1960s. Much of the vintage jewellery we receive through our estate collection from that era is 10k — not because it was inferior, but because it was practical, strong, and economically sensible. It allowed for solid gold construction at a price point that made fine jewellery more accessible.
Today’s gold prices add another layer to the conversation. When gold reaches historic highs, the material cost difference between 10k, 14k, and 18k becomes significant. The higher the gold content, the more exposed the piece is to fluctuations in the global gold market. That doesn’t make one better than another — it simply changes the cost structure.
So what should you choose? It depends less on hierarchy and more on lifestyle, aesthetic preference, and budget. If you love a deeper yellow tone and appreciate higher gold content, 18k may be the right fit. If you want balance between colour and durability for daily wear, 14k is often ideal. If you value strength, mid-century authenticity, or are working within a tighter budget during a high gold market, 10k is a perfectly legitimate and historically grounded choice.
There is no universal “best.” There is only what makes sense for the piece, the wearer, and the moment in the market.
