What are the Differences Between 14k and 18k White Gold?

18k white gold engagement ring is 75% rich in gold, which is higher than 14k piece’s 58.3% gold content. Thus, a 14k white gold ring has more additional metals, which makes it harder and more durable than the 18k ring. 18k rhodium plated white gold ring has a higher purity( 18 in 24 parts) and greater price than a similar 14k one.

Let’s continue to discover more on the comparison 14k vs 18k white gold jewelry.

What is white gold?

White gold is an alloy of gold. It is made of real gold.

Gold is a very malleable metal, which we can easily give shape.

It is an precious metal with symbol Au, short for Aurum.

On the periodic table of elements, it has the atomic number 79.

Natural gold has a distinct yellow color.

However, it is too soft in its purest form: 100% pure gold is not usable as jewelry metal.

While there is 100% pure yellow gold jewelry, it is not intended for everyday use.

This type of gold items are used to carry wealth on the person from one country to another.

Thus, for jewelry, gold is alloyed with other metals in order to reach a satisfying level of hardness and durability.

Thanks to this process, we obtain a superior version of gold, which is more resistant to scratches.

There are 3 main types of gold used in jewelry: yellow, rose and white gold.

These are all popular options for gold jewelry lovers.

Yellow gold carries the closest color to its pure state.

Rose gold‘s appearance is closer to a rosy copper.

White gold is an alloy with zinc, nickel, platinum, manganese, palladium, silver and a few other.

 

14k vs 18k Comparison

Karat	Stamp	Gold parts	%	Other %
14 Karat	14K – 583	14 / 24	58.3	41.7
18 Karat	18K – 750	18 / 24	75	25

What is karat?

Purity in gold is measured in karat.

100% pure gold is 24 karat or 24k.

This is the highest purity possible for gold content.

1k piece of gold has 1/24 parts of gold in its composition. This corresponds to 4.17% in the alloy.

Thus, the pureness increases with the karat value.

By definition, 24k white gold does not exist because of the added part.

The most common karats used in white gold jewelry are 10k, 14k and 18k.

14k has 14-in-24 parts of gold, which corresponds to 58.3% gold content.

Likewise, a 18 karat white gold ring has 18-in-24 parts gold. In other words, it has 75% gold purity.

Gold purity level is measured with this karat system, no matter the color.

14k vs 18k white gold: which one is better?

1. Color

As we saw above, the silvery color of white gold comes from the addition.

The alloy approaches to a silvery white with the increasing percentage of other than gold.

In 14 karat gold rings, this percentage is over 40%.

This same part is only 25% in 18k engagement rings.

Thus, for non-plated jewelry pieces, the whitish appearance in 14k, is much stronger and brighter than in its 18k version.

But, of course, if they are coated with rhodium, both 14k and 18k engagement rings will look the same.

After plating, there won’t be any disparity between two colors we can observe.

This means that visually, we can’t tell the difference between 14 karat and 18 karat white gold engagement rings if they are rhodium plated.

 

2. Hardness and Durability

The hardness of the gold piece, does increase with added stronger metals.

14k white gold engagement ring has above 50% purity of gold, while a 18k piece has 25% mixed metals in its content.

As the percentage of different materials is higher, 14k white gold jewelry is harder and more durable than similar 18k pieces.

It offers better scratch resistance. It is rated higher on the Mohs hardness scale.

3. Hypoallergenic property

For those with sensitive skin, the choice between 14k and 18k white gold can make a significant difference.

Both alloys are created by combining pure gold with other metals, such as silver, palladium, or nickel, to enhance their durability and whiteness.

The main distinction lies in the proportion of gold present. 14k white gold consists of 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% other metals, while 18k white gold contains 75% pure gold and 25% additional metals.

The higher gold content in 18k white gold can make it a better option for people with sensitive skin.

Pure gold is inherently hypoallergenic. Thus, preferring 18 karat white gold may reduce the risk of irritation.

14k white gold, with its higher percentage of other metals, may be more prone to triggering a skin reaction.

This is especially true for individuals with nickel allergies.

Therefore, if you have particularly sensitive skin or known allergies, it is advisable to opt for 18k white gold as it offers greater hypoallergenic properties.

A third opton is prefering rhodium plated white gold jewelry. Rhodium is an highly inert metal and it will prevent contact with the inner white gold and your skin.

Nonetheless, don’t forget that this is only valid as long as the plating remains intact.

If it wears off, allergenic metals, if any, in the alloy may reach your skin and cause unease.

4. Price

In 14 karat wedding bands, only 58.3% of the alloy comes from the precious yellow metal.

The remaining 41.7% comes from manganese, zinc, copper, silver, etc.

These are less expensive metals.

When we look at 18 karat gold alloys we see that they have 75% gold content.

Thus, they are closer to fine gold.

Often, this cost difference will show itself as a price difference at retail.

Thereby, everything being equal, 18k white gold engagement rings are expected to be more expensive than 14k pieces.

The verdict: 14k or 18k white gold: Which is better?

White gold engagement rings are beautiful and popular choices.

They are made of real gold.

They carry silvery-white colors but offer higher durability and scratch resistance than sterling silver.

Both 14k and 18k white gold offer very close white sheen, with little difference in color.

18 karat white gold rings have 75 percent gold content in their composition.

14k pieces are 58.3 percent rich in gold.

The higher gold percentage makes 18k engagement rings more hypoallergenic and expensive.

14k white gold rings show a closer hue to white, offer better scratch resistance and superior durability with a lower price tag.

You may prefer rhodium plated white gold jewelry. These pieces will provide excellent hypoallergenic property and a more lustrous uniform color.

Rhodium is a hypoallergenic metal. It is considered safe for jewelry.

It is a inert noble metal which has strong resistance to interacting with other substances.

The coating will also protect the inner precious white gold.

These benefits are only true as long as the plating remains intact.

While rhodium may give a solid look and a dazzling mirrory brightness, it is brittle.

With time, it will diminish and disappear, leading the inner base to see daylight and contact the skin.

This will reduce its brightness and open the door to possible allergic reactions.

Happily, a short and easy re-plating session at your jeweler is enough to restore its luster!