Gold
Few metals capture the heart like gold. A traditional choice for all types of jewellery, gold is the most easily worked of all metals because it is naturally very soft and malleable.
However, to create jewellery designs that are strong and durable, pure gold is alloyed with other metals such as copper and zinc, which strengthen it and gives it its colour. Gold jewellery is consistently timeless and so elegant.
Gold Colours
Peoples Jewellers commonly uses 18K, 14K and 10K yellow, rose and white gold in its jewellery designs:
Understanding Gold Karat
To determine the karat gold used in a piece of jewellry, checks its markings, also called its hallmark. This is usually found on the inside of the shank or the reverse side of a pendant, earring or bracelet. The traditional hallmark uses the gold purity percentage. Modern hallmarks are simply stamped with the karat weight, i.e., 14k.
41.7%
Gold Purity
10 Karat Gold
Strong and durable with a good colour.
Excellent choice for a moderate budget
DURABILITY: Most durable
MODERN HALLMARK: 10k
TRADITIONAL HALLMARK: 417
58.8%
Gold Purity
14 Karat Gold
Excellent colour. Great compromise
between quality and price
DURABILITY: More durable than 18k
MODERN HALLMARK: 14k
TRADITIONAL HALLMARK: 585
75%
Gold Purity
18 Karat Gold
The perfect balance between strength
and purity, perfect for fine jewellery.
DURABILITY: Avergae durability
MODERN HALLMARK: 18k
TRADITIONAL HALLMARK: 750
91.6%
Gold Purity
10 Karat Gold
Rarely used for jewellery since it's
expensive and not very durable.
DURABILITY: 24k
MODERN HALLMARK: 22k
TRADITIONAL HALLMARK: 417
100%
Gold Purity
24 Karat Gold
The purest of all gold types but too soft
for use in jewellery.
DURABILITY: Softx
MODERN HALLMARK: None
TRADITIONAL HALLMARK: None