METALS What is the difference between 14K and 18K? 14K is 58.8% gold (14/24ths and 18K is 75% gold 18/24ths. That is why you may see 585 stamped instead of 14k, and on some 18K pieces they will use 750. The rest of the metal is called the alloy, which is a mixture of other metals to create more strength or different colors in the gold. Most jewelry is not made in its pure form 24K because it is too soft. What’s the difference between palladium, white gold and platinum? Palladium is a precious gray-white metal part of the platinum family. It will never tarnish or change its natural color; it is a hypoallergenic metal. Platinum is a white metal, but unlike gold it is used in jewelry at 90-95% pure. Platinum is extremely long wearing and is very white, so it does not need to be Rhodium plated. Platinum is very dense and heavy, so a platinum ring will feel heavier than a gold ring. White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as silver and palladium.