GOLD KARAT AND PURITY
In its pure form, gold tends to be soft and malleable. For centuries, humans have adorned themselves with gold jewellery as a way to showcase their unique fashion and style. However, as pure gold is simply too soft to be made into everyday wear jewellery, gold is blended with other alloys like zinc, copper, palladium, and silver to make it more durable and scratch-proof.
24K gold, otherwise known as 999 gold, refers to pure gold which is not usually used in jewellery. Instead, when we talk about gold jewellery, we usually refer to gold alloys that have been blended with various purities. There are a couple of factors to consider before settling on a gold purity that you think might be suitable for you.
For instance lower karats of gold, such as 10k, have less gold in the alloy, but is more affordable and durable. Higher karats like 18k gold, tend to have a higher ratio of gold and hence are softer and more expensive than their 10k karat counterparts. 14k gold is usually the perfect middle ground between the two, making it popular in jewellery.
SK JEWELLERY’S 999 GOLD
It is impossible to obtain 100% gold with zero impurities, which is why 24 carat gold or 999 gold (gold content of 999.9 parts per thousand) is known as the purest kind of gold. 999 gold is valuable, yellow in appearance and resistant to tarnish - but not so when it comes to being strong and scratch-proof. As the first retailer in Singapore to launch offer 999 pure gold, SK Jewellery turns this prized metal into beautiful gold collectibles like bars and coins as well as intricate and exquisite Si Dian Jin jewellery pieces that are more solid in design and good for investment or keepsake purposes.
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SK JEWELLERY’S 916 GOLD
916 gold refers to 91.6 per gram of gold or 22 karat gold. This term represents the percentage of gold present in the gold jewellery, ornament, or coin. Any gold jewellery made with 916 gold is made using 91.6% of pure gold, while other metals make up the remaining percentage. Essentially, 916 gold is the finest of gold jewellery that can be worn. Due to its percentage makeup, 916 gold jewellery is much more durable and less likely to be scratched when compared to 999 gold. As such, most gold jewellery are usually crafted from 916 gold, as it is easier and much more adaptable when it comes to intricate designs and complex jewellery craftsmanship.
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Gold Purity Standards
Remembering the different gold terminologies can be tricky - especially when there are so many! As a customer, it is important to be always well-aware of the type of gold you are purchasing.
COLOURS OF GOLD JEWELLERY
WHITE GOLD JEWELLERY
YELLOW GOLD JEWELLERY
Picture traditional gold jewellery and you will immediately think of yellow gold. Yellow gold is often mixed with silver, copper and zinc. It is hypoallergenic and requires the least amount of maintenance out of all the other gold types.
ROSE GOLD JEWELLERY
A popular gold type in the current jewellery landscape, rose gold is slowly becoming a fan favourite by the younger generation. The “not quite gold, yet not quite pink” colour derives from mixing gold with copper.
Do's for Gold Jewellery
✔️ Soap from bathing can cause jewellery to lose its shine and luster.
✔️Put on your jewellery last when getting ready.
✔️ Always apply lotion, cosmetics, hairspray and perfume before putting on your jewellery
Don’ts for Gold Jewellery
❌ Do not wear your jewellery to the pool or spa. Chlorine is harmful to gold jewellery. Hence avoid exposure to it as the gold jewellery structure may weaken
❌ Gold is soft, so avoid wearing jewellery when playing sports to avoid unnecessary damages
❌ Perfume, lotions, makeup, and hairspray can cause damage to your gold jewellery. Hence, apply these first before your jewellery.
To find out more on how to clean and store your gold jewellery in the hot and humid Singapore weather, view our Jewellery Care Guide here.
SK Jewellery has an extensive collection of jewellery pieces suited for your every need. Other than 916 and 999 Pure Gold jewellery, we also offer other collections such as diamonds that are both natural and lab grown, jade, pearls, and gemstones. Shop them online or visit our stores across Singapore now!
Have more questions to ask about gold jewellery? Simply reach out to us today to find out more.