The Difference Between 10K, 14K & 18K White Gold

There are a wide range of precious metals available for use in jewelry, each with its own grading system. Gold is marked in karats, a system that has been around for centuries and has been the standard in the U.S. since the early 20th century. As white gold is not pure gold it can be confusing to work out how the different karat levels affect the quality of the material.

White Gold

White gold is made by mixing yellow gold with another metal, usually nickel, zinc or palladium, to create a metal alloy. The adding of these silvery metals takes away the yellowness of gold to create a stylish alternative to platinum. It is regularly used in the manufacturing of jewelry and is often coasted in rhodium to give a bright finish. It is cheaper than normal gold and platinum and does not tarnish like silver.

18K White Gold

To make 18 karat white gold, 75 percent weight of gold is mixed with 25 percent of wither nickel, zinc or palladium. This is the most expensive white gold discussed here, but it is cheaper than 21 karat white gold.

14K White Gold

Reducing the karat level means reducing the amount of gold involved. Creating 14 karat white gold involves mixing 58.5 percent gold with the rest being made up of the other metals available.

10K White Gold

The lowest grade of white gold available is 10 karats and is made using a mix of 41.7 percent gold. The remainder is made up of the other metals. This is the cheapest grade of white gold available.