As you already know, the most common types of gold you'll find in Australia are 18ct and 9ct gold. Other countries may use different purities such as 10ct, 14ct and 22ct. Carat (ct), also referred to as karat (k) in other countries, indicates the purity of the metal.
Most commonly, we see that the gold jewelry from Australia is 9 karat. That means that the gold jewelry is 37.5%. In addition, the gold from Australia may be 14 karat or 58.5% gold. The styles are usually like jewelry made in England, Ireland and Scotland.
Summary. At the end of the day, 18ct gold is worth the higher price. It has twice the gold content of 9ct making it superior in terms of durability and performance. This does not mean that 9ct is not a fine choice for certain jewellery.
14-carat gold has a higher purity and therefore more pure gold colour than 9-carat gold but is much harder and resistant to damage than 18-carat gold due to the addition of alloys.
What is 9ct gold? 9ct gold (or 9k gold) is the minimum purity level allowed to be sold as gold in Australia. You may see it stamped with the numbers for 375, which means it contains 37.5% pure gold. In many other countries the lowest purity level is 10ct.
If you're buying a small gift or something for everyday wear, 9K gold is a great option because it's very durable and beautiful. However, if you're looking for a gold item for long-term wear, like an engagement ring, then you might want to invest in 18K gold which is better quality and has a higher value.
Will 9K gold last? Due to this metals lower durability and tendency to tarnish, corrode and react with its wearer's skin, we choose not to work with it. A ring for example made from 9K gold cannot be expected to last more than a lifetime's normal wear.
Wearing solid gold jewelry, white gold or yellow gold, in the shower will not harm the metal itself, however it can reduce the shine therefore it is not recommended. Showering with gold plated jewelry can eventually cause the gold layer to wear off completely, therefore you should definitely refrain from doing so.
9K gold can get tarnished because of the higher percentage of reactive metals in the alloy. Thus, it oxidises more often than 18k gold!
It can since 9k is more base metal than gold. It shouldn't but it may be possible depending on what it is alloyed with. Copper is the main thing that will discolor your skin, second is nickel which more commonly irritates skin rather than leaving oxidation.
9ct gold (37.5% purity)
While pure yellow gold does not tarnish and will retain its original colour forever, the strong presence of alloys (the metals that make up 62.5 percent of 9ct gold) in 9ct gold are susceptible to discolouration. Special care is needed to ensure your 9ct gold jewellery keeps its original shine.
14 Karat Gold: It is made up of 58.3% gold and 41.7% of other metals. Compared to 18k gold, 14K is more durable as well as affordable. The 14K gold jewellery is ideal for everyday use and offers more resistance to wear and tear than 18 and 22K gold.
9ct gold is comprised of 37.5% pure gold and 62.5% other metal alloys, making it harder but more brittle than 18ct gold. It is approximately 40% lighter for the same mass. With proper care and maintenance, you can expect both 18ct and 9ct gold jewellery to last a lifetime.
Investors can purchase gold, in bar or coin form, set at the international standard of '999.9', meaning 99.99% pure gold.
Chinese gold is generally pure 24 karat and is characterized by its bright yellowish color and soft, malleable texture. Another important feature is that this type of pure gold will never tarnish or rust.
Australian natural gold nuggets are in high demand from investors and collectors due to the high purity of Australian gold. Jewelry/Investment Grade Natural Australian Gold Nuggets generally have the highest purity (92% to 98% pure, 22KT to 23KT) of any natural gold nuggets found in the world, with very few exceptions.
14K & 9K solid gold jewellery is designed for everyday wear & will not fade. These pieces are resistant to water, moisture & sweat but Esq recommends with any jewellery regardless of material to avoid perfumes, hand sanitisers, fake tan, moisturisers, direct sunlight and chemicals.
So beware of wearing any jewelry that is made from karat gold or sterling silver. Take it off before you swim or use cleaning chemicals that contain chlorine.
Can I wear Gold Fill jewelry in the shower, into the ocean or to bed? You sure can! Gold Fill is tarnish resistant and does not wear or tear when worn in water.
"You can potentially damage your jewelry by constantly wearing it, but there are no major health risks to wearing jewelry every day, which includes sleeping and showering," she says (unless you're wearing costume jewelry, but we'll get to that later).
"If you're wearing jewelry made of solid gold, gold fill, or sterling silver, the sweat and oils from your skin won't damage it," explains Lisa Rueff, a yoga teacher, jewelry designer, and founder of Collective Hearts, a jewelry brand that also hosts charity wellness events in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Scientifically, gold is classed as diamagnetic, or magnetically inert. This means that it will not be attracted by a magnet, and cannot be turned into a magnet by applying an electrical current to it.
The cons of 10k gold
And while 10k gold is massively affordable to a wide market, it is the lowest grade of gold accepted in the U.S market and is considered the least pure. You will not find gold jewelry less than 10k. Unlike 14k gold, 10k gold is quite dull in color appearance because of its low percentage of gold.
9ct gold is very durable and if it fits your budget, is a much better investment than gold plated Jewellery. It does not tarnish and will retain its colour forever. Special care and polishing may be required to give it the perfect shine after a long period of wearing it.