What's better, 10K or 14K gold?

Question

Why?

It's for my class ring. I'm not sure if I'm going to wear it all the time, but I don't want to spend too much either.

Answer 1

What do you mean by "better"?

24K is better for gilding signs.

For lapel pins, 24K doesn't work very well. It's *way* too soft. 14K is better for lapel pins.

Using 10K might be better for rings, because it's a lot less vulnerable to erosion, and to bending out of shape; rings see a lot of abuse compared to a lapel pin.

That's the big reason why jewelers use different types of golds - for the different physical properties.

Answer 2

Anything under 14K is really costume jewelry. You can't even sell 10K as "Gold" in Western Europe, where 18K is the standard and I think the same is true of even 14K. 24K, or pure gold (of which ingots are made) is too soft for everyday use -- but a few societies, especially in India, prefer it because of it's "cache" and rich, dark color. On the other hand, 10K is inexpensive, and very durable as the gold is alloyed with harder metals.

So the question is, what means "good" to you? If you want something that will hold its value and be saleable, then go for 18K. If it's for decoration, then buy what you like best! I have a beautiful ring that is a wide band of stainless steel set with a cross made of ten tiny diamonds. It only cost $166, but it makes me feel elegant even if I'm wearing just jeans and a T-shirt, and it draws attention wherever I go.

One thing I can say is that when you want to buy ANY luxury item, whether it's flowers, jewelry, or even a good meal it is ALWAYS a good idea to go to the very best first, even if it's just to see what "Better" really is. The rich shop at Tiffany's, for instance, and when I was shopping for an engagement ring, I quickly found that not only was their quality of the highest standard -- their prices were actually LOWER, much lower than even department stores.

Think about it. The really well-to-do INSIST on the best, and as a rule they're as tight as the bark on a tree when it comes to spending their money. There's no reason you can't be the same way! And another great thing about the best places: unlike 'that guy on the corner', they really take pleasure in answering questions from decently dressed, courteous, and admiring customers who show a real interest in the great things that have made their reputation.

(Later) As you added tht it was for class ring, I'd say that saving the money by buying 10K would be OK. It's really whose value is sentimental rather than money, and it'll probably get some hard wear. As I said before -- to have real value as a jewelry item, it'd better if it was 18K anyway, and it sounds like you're being given only these two choices by the manufacturer. Then again there is the question of status -- there wil be a hallmark that says 10K or 14K, and it might be that if you, say give it to a sweetheart to wear, he (or she) might feel better showing it off to friends if everyone compares them and your friend can show you gave the more expensive one. Just one of those things: good luck!

Answer 3

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RE:
What's better, 10K or 14K gold?
Why?

Answer 4

As far as the gold itself is concerned, 14K is higher quality. It has fewer impurities and is more valuable.

However, in a class ring the gold is a very small part of the cost. It will be a long time before you can recover the cost of the ring by selling the gold in it. (The price of gold will have to go up a great deal beyond what it was at when you buy the ring.) So base your decision on what you think of the ring itself. if you don't plan on wearing the ring much I would suggest going with the cheapest one.

Answer 5

Gold is not an investment. It is a hedge, or a hobby.

And 14K gold is more gold than 10K, which makes 10K gold "hardier" as jewelry...

Answer 6

Suppose you had a cup. It has a capacity to hold 24 coins, so would you rather have, if that was all that was available, 10 coins or 14? The units of weight of the interested ingredient, as in gold, are called karats. And that is the count per volume of metal.

Answer 7

The higher the carat, the higher the amount of gold and not other mixed metals. People with allergies to metal usually prefer a 14k or higher. 24k would be pure gold.

Answer 8

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24 karat gold is pure but it is too soft for jewelry. 10k is 41.7% gold and 14k is 58.3% gold.

Answer 9

Is this some kind of trick? Ofcourse 14k (14,000) is better, because it is a higher value.

Answer 10

the best is 14K but you should really get what you feel is best for you