How Is Gold Purity Measured?
Gold is an international commodity and has international value and so has to conform to certain standards. Reputable jewelers only purchase gold stamped with either United States or European gold purity markings. In the U.S. and Canada, karat marks are used. European marks are three-digit numbers that tell the percentage of pure gold in the gold. Purity markings can easily be seen by examining the piece with a jeweler’s loupe. 24K gold is pure gold, 18K gold is 75% gold, 14K is 58.3% gold and 10K is 41.6% gold. Gold less than 24K is mixed with other metals (usually copper, zinc, silver, nickel, steel or iron) to make a gold alloy. If someone says they’re allergic to gold, they’re probably allergic to one of the other metals in the gold alloy. They should only wear 14K or even 18K gold.
