What Karat Gold Is Best For an Engagement Ring?

 

So, you’re on the hunt for the best gold engagement rings? We’re not surprised. There’s been a resurgence in popularity around the classic metal which comes with an interest in understanding its true value.

If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between a 10k gold ring vs a 24k gold ring, or how yellow gold, rose gold, and white gold factor into that choice - we’ve got you covered. By the end of this article, you should have a better understanding of what karat gold is best for an engagement ring and, more importantly, which is best for you. 

Carat or Karat? What They Both Mean

Depending on where your search leads you, you’ll see in many cases carat and karat are used interchangeably. Is that ok? The short answer is, no. At Plum Diamonds, you’ll see the correct usage of the terms because there is a distinct difference that matters. 

What is a Carat? A carat is the measurement or weight of a diamond.

What is a Karat? A Karat is the measurement of gold purity, which ranges from 10k to 24k. 

Understanding the difference between the two can lead you to make a more sound engagement ring decision. For a full breakdown of how they differ, check out this article. 

Weighing Your Options: Choosing The Right Karat Gold

In the end, whatever choice you make is the “right” karat gold, but there are things like care, quality, and durability that you should factor in. Before we go down the road of what exactly that looks like, here’s an explanation of what your karat gold options are. 

As mentioned above, karat is the measurement of gold purity or “softness.” Pure gold, on its own, is a softer metal not suitable for everyday wear. In order to add strength and durability to the metal, gold is often mixed with other alloys or base metals. This means the higher the karat, the more pure and malleable it is because it contains more gold, while lower karats are “harder” or less malleable due to a mixture of metals. This is important to keep in mind because a higher karat doesn't necessarily translate to higher quality. More on that later. 

Here’s a full breakdown of karat options and the pros and cons of each: 

 

10K Gold

On the measurement scale, 10k is considered the lowest karat because of its gold content. With around 41% gold and 58% alloy (mixed metals), it is also one of the strongest options. However, its strength lends itself from the higher percentage of alloys mixed in, not from the gold itself making it a more brittle option compared to its more malleable counterparts. Because of this lower gold content, the yellow tone of the metal is also the lightest, palest hue of the different karat golds. 

Pros: 

• Strength

• Affordability

• Care is easier

Cons

• A higher mix of metals (alloy) might cause irritation for some

• Though affordable, not considered the most luxurious

• Lightest tone of gold

14K Gold

As one of the most popular metals on the market, you’ll see a lot of options for 14k gold engagement rings. Why? Because it’s gained the reputation of being an ideal balance of purity and durability. However, this is where you want to define “durability” in jewelry. While a great option for everyday fine jewelry pieces, its roughly 58% gold content still holds a significant mixture of alloyed metals making it more susceptible to breakage if hit or bent in just the right, or should we say wrong, way. More on that in the pros and cons section below:

Pros

• Good balance of gold purity and durable metals

• Considered affordable

• Good for everyday pieces

Cons

• More likely to “crack or break” if hit hard or snagged

• Possibility of skin irritation due to alloy level

18K Gold

If there were a battle between what the best karat gold is for an engagement ring, it would be between 14k and 18k. 18k gold is where you start to transition into a luxe level because of its higher gold content (75% gold, 25% alloy). With enough strength and durability for everyday wear, 18k gives a deep, luxurious color for anyone looking for that more pronounced golden tone. 

Pros

• Higher gold purity

• Less likely to cause skin irritation

• Richer in color and value compared to 10k and 14k 

• More likely to bend opposed to cracking if snagged or hit

Cons

• Susceptible to warping due to higher gold content 

• Less affordable compared to 10k and 14k

22K Gold

At 22k gold, you’re reaching the highest level purity gold jewelry has to offer - and it shows. With around 91% gold and 8% alloy, the beauty of 22k is impossible to miss. But as mentioned above, the higher the gold content, the “softer”, so proceed with caution. 

Pros

• Richer in appearance and value

• Less likely to tarnish

Cons

• More of a delicate metal

• Expensive

24K Gold

If you see a 24k gold engagement ring, you should do a double take because it’s rare that it is used to make jewelry. And if you guessed that’s because of its purity, you’d be right. That’s why we mentioned that a higher karat doesn’t necessarily equal higher quality. Though considered pure, it’s extremely soft, making scratches, bending, and dents almost inevitable. 

Pros

• Most valuable form of gold

• Rare 

• Hypoallergenic

Cons

• Extremely soft

• Not durable enough for jewelry

• Expensive 

Durable. Beautiful. Sustainable Gold Engagement Rings

Another thing to consider while searching for the best gold engagement ring is where it came from. And we’re not just talking about what business you decide to shop with but whether or not it was sustainably sourced. Why does this matter? An engagement ring is one of the most important and expensive purchases you’ll make in your life, why not get the most out of your money? When we say the most, we mean affordable, quality engagement rings that just so happened to be ethically sourced. 

Ethical sourcing for gold can look like fair trade gold, gold alternatives, or what we offer - quality recycled gold. We have a stunning collection of gold engagement rings that come in rose gold, yellow gold, white gold, and two tone gold combinations. 

Who Wins The Battle Of the Best Karat Gold? 

The answer to what is the best karat gold engagement ring for you should be in these three questions:

Does it fit my lifestyle?

Is it built to last?

Is it within my budget?

Now, if you were to ask us what’s the best karat to go for, we’d say somewhere in the middle. Meaning 10k might not have the highest level of quality an engagement ring can offer and 24k is too pure for day-to-day wear. So, we’d recommend you start your search for either a 14k or 18k gold engagement ring. That way you get the beauty, durability, and depending on your budget, price you desire.