Materials
14K vs 18K gold: what changes?
Compare gold content, colour, wear, and price without treating a higher karat as the automatic answer.
· 2 min read
Karat describes the proportion of gold in an alloy. 14K gold contains 14 parts gold out of 24; 18K contains 18 parts out of 24. The remaining alloying metals influence colour, hardness, and working properties.
The practical comparison
| Consideration | 14K gold | 18K gold |
|---|---|---|
| Gold proportion | Approximately 58.3% (commonly marked 585) | 75% |
| Colour | Often slightly less saturated | Often richer in yellow-gold alloys |
| Everyday wear | Commonly chosen for added alloy hardness | Commonly chosen for higher gold content |
| Price | Usually lower for a comparable design | Usually higher for a comparable design |
Exact performance depends on the alloy, design, thickness, finish, and how the piece is worn. White and rose gold use different alloy recipes, so colour and care cannot be inferred from karat alone.
Which should you choose?
Choose based on the specific piece and how you plan to wear it. A delicate structure, setting design, skin sensitivity, maintenance preference, and budget can matter more than selecting the highest number.
Ichor catalogue variants show the gold karat and colour available for each design. A custom request is reviewed for feasibility rather than treated as automatic availability.