10-Karat Gold Appearance: 10k gold is pale yellow in color. It's the least yellow of all the karat types since it contains the least amount of gold. Advantages: The primary advantage of 10k gold is its durability. Since it's more alloy than gold, it stands up well to wear and tear.
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 gold, however, is usually mixed with nickel which can cause skin irritation depending on the wearer. We will mention, however, that 14k does still use nickel and other alloys, therefore, while you're less likely to have any skin issues, you should still be cautious if you have any allergies or sensitivities.
Solid Gold (10k, 14k)
Solid gold is a great choice if you're looking for a lifetime piece you can wear everyday and everywhere - yes, even in the shower! Polish with a soft cloth.
10k gold is worth buying if you are looking for a piece of real gold jewelry that will be long lasting and not expensive. Even though 10k gold will have less than 50% pure gold, (41.7% is the approximate amount of pure gold in 10k gold,) the other alloys and metals increase the hardness in 10k gold jewelry.
10k gold is the cheapest form of gold that's still commonly used in jewelry. If you're looking for the least expensive option, this is your best bet.
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. However, one thing to note with 10k is that the color can be less vibrant yellow than 14k gold.
"Sweat and friction can cause gold to leach out of jewelry," notes Dr. Dao.
Can you wear 10K gold in the ocean? With 10K 14K or 18K solid yellow gold, there's very little to worry about when it comes to sand or water.
To keep its shine, you should clean your jewelry regularly with a solution of 10-parts warm water and 2-parts dish soap. A few extra tips: Soaking is the key: per Real Simple, you should soak your gold jewelry pieces for 3 hours and then scrub them gently with a very soft brush.
Don't sleep with your gold chain on. It's really that simple. Chunky and long chains scratch and dangle and move around while you sleep. People with sensitive skin may wake up with rashes from their chains.
Advantages: The primary advantage of 10k gold is its durability. Since it's more alloy than gold, it stands up well to wear and tear. It's also the least expensive option out of all the most frequently used gold alloys. Disadvantages: Some people might be allergic to the alloy used with this gold.
10k gold chains offer a good balance of price and durability. They are less likely to bend or break than 14k gold chains, but they may not have the same luster as higher karat golds.
If durability is what you're after, then solid gold is your best bet (10k or 14k specifically, read on for why), followed by gold-filled and gold vermeil jewelry. Gold-plated jewelry is by far the least durable or long-lasting option. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each.
Solid Gold
Even gold vermeil, with its base of sterling silver, is best left out of water, which can tarnish the enveloping layer of gold. It's ultimately best to keep all of your jewelry dry if possible. However, if necessary, solid gold is the best type for wearing in the shower or bath.
As we mentioned above, both 10k and 14k solid gold are fully tarnish-resistant, waterproof, and can be refinished and polished forever—but 10k solid gold goes one step further on durability.
If your rings are made of precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, etc.), there is nothing to stop you from wearing them whilst washing, bathing , doing housework or cleaning.
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.
Affordability: 10k is the most affordable gold you can pick for an engagement ring. Durability: Since 10k gold is more alloy than gold, it's stronger and more durable than “purer” golds. This leads to less scratching and damage, and 10k gold prongs tend to be stronger and less prone to bending or breaking.
Look for Stamps or Hallmarks in Your Gold Jewelry
Most real gold is stamped with a hallmark that indicates its purity, aka its karat. The karat is the unit used to measure the purity of gold. The higher the karat, the purer the gold. The most common karats you'll see are 10k, 14k, 18k, 22K, and 24k.
Because 10k gold has the minimum amount of karats that's considered to be fine jewelry and contains more alloy metals than it does gold, this means it is the least expensive fine gold jewelry that you can find on the market.
10K, 14K, 18K and even 22K Solid Gold is not a concern when it comes to getting your necklace wet. Whether it is a gold link chain such as gold curb chain or a gold rope chain or something else, as long as it is pure solid gold, you can swim with your gold.
A 10K solid gold chain weighing 35 grams is currently worth $809.02.