Whichcraft of Covent Garden

Tel: 01784 458 276
Fax: 01784 458 276
Email: geoff@whichcraft.org

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Colours and Carats!

Gold jewellery is usually made from an alloy where the gold is mixed with other metals. The higher the percentage of gold in the mixture, the \'purer\' the gold is considered to be. This percentage is known as the carat (aka Karat) of the gold and is determined by a number. The common carats are:

18ct - 750

14ct - 585

9ct - 375

24ct is pure gold. 18ct costs twice as much as 9ct, with 14ct in between. However an item in 18ct tends to weigh more than the same item in 9ct.

Gold in the United Kingdom is often actually one carat higher that these listed, in order to pass the strict Hallmarking laws. i.e. a ring stamped 9ct is often made of 10 carat gold. (In this country there is a law against selling gold items unless these items carry the British Gold Hallmarks. )

In the UK, 9ct gold is the norm. In the USA, 14ct gold is more common though \'class rings\' are generally either 9 or 10 carat. 18ct is a soft gold and I don\'t recommend it for anyone who does a lot of heavy work with their hands.

The colour of gold can be changed by adding different quantities of other metals to the mix. For white gold, add silver, for rose (or red) gold, add copper. Naturally, the higher the carat, the less (e.g.)copper can be added - so the stronger colours tend to be found in the lower carats.
Okay - there\'s a swift lesson in gold for you - I hope I didn\'t bore you!