Learn
Pretty Gold Education
The part that doesn't depend on you: what the karat number means, how a chain is actually built, what the parts are called, and which bits of received wisdom are simply wrong.
Purity is the easy part. What matters day to day is how each one holds detail, takes knocks, and looks against your skin.
Three quarters gold, one quarter alloy. The alloy is what lets a piece hold a fine edge, a setting or a thin link, which is why so much detailed jewellery is made at 18K.
How they compare
Everyday wear
18K21K24K
Gold purity
18K21K24K
Colour depth
18K21K24K
Holds up to knocks
18K21K24K
Holds fine detail
18K21K24K
Low upkeep
18K21K24K
These are relative guides for comparison, not measurements. Real-world suitability depends on how a piece is built, how thick it is, and how it's worn.
Best for
- Rings worn every day
- Stone settings and pavé
- Fine chains and detailed links
Worth knowing
- Reads slightly paler than 21K side by side
- Gold content is lower per gram than 21K or 24K
The international standard for fine jewellery, and the usual choice when a design has to hold stones.
18K pieces at Pretty GoldBrowse everything
