18 carat gold: what standard it is, properties of the alloy, its cost, marking, application, advantages and disadvantages of the precious metal

Post updated: Jun 6, 2020

Gold and products made from it are now more popular than ever. There is probably no country in the world where this precious metal is not known and used. At one time, gold was not only jewelry, but also played the role of money in purchase and sale transactions.

Various states, independently or united, such as in Europe, adopted their own measure of the weight or volume of gold, as well as its quality. This is how the modern concept of karat appeared. Thus, in the foreign system, 18-karat gold is of high quality. What standard corresponds to it in the former countries of the Soviet Union? How to convert samples into carats of gold known to everyone in the world? To do this, you need to study two systems: metric and carat.

• Metric system
• Carat system
• Formula for converting metric standards to the carat system
• Distinguish gilding

A little about the metric system

The system we have adopted demonstrates the percentage of pure gold to the impurities (ligature) contained in the alloy. That is, to put it simply, metal marked “750” contains exactly 75% of its precious content. The remaining 25% are additives of one kind or another.

An important nuance - completely pure gold (has a purity of 999) is not used in the jewelry industry due to its high softness. A product made from it will become unusable very quickly, and the appearance of the decoration will be too nondescript.

The following is usually added to the precious metal as a ligature:

• silver;
• platinum;
• copper;
• nickel;
• palladium.

It is not uncommon for several of the specified ingredients to be included in the definition of proportion. In Russia, the most common sample is 585, that is, each gram of jewelry contains 58.5 percent gold.

A little about this test

750 standard is popular among jewelers and their clients. This is the most successful combination of the purity of a noble metal and ease of use: 999 standard is too soft to be worn constantly. However, a gold content of 75% is sufficient for the product to retain the inherent luster of pure gold.

Composition and properties

As can be understood from the name of the sample, 25% of the mass of our pendant or chain is made up of ligature (foreign metals). Impurities are added to gold primarily because the pure precious metal is extremely sensitive to damage. The 999.9 fine bank bullion can be scratched with a fingernail. This is unacceptable for jewelry that we wear on our bodies, so a ligature is added to gold to increase its wear resistance.

750 gold is common and contains the following additives in different proportions:

• copper (the main alloying component of most alloys);
• silver (also present almost everywhere);
• palladium (added to white gold);
• platinum (rare);
• nickel (rare).

Strength

The price to pay for the prestige of a high-grade alloy and its characteristic shine is the need to wear it carefully. 18K jewelry is easier to break than low-grade analogues.

Alloy shade chart

To understand what shade the alloy will give to gold, you need to look at the original color of the alloying metal. Often there are several additives. Let's look at the popular options for metal “cocktails”:

Brand

In addition to the hallmark, each piece of jewelry must have an imprint of the name of the manufacturer. The name plate is registered by a branch of the Assay Chamber under the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation and contains encrypted information about the year of manufacture of the jewelry and the factory.

The 18-carat ring produced by the Russian factory will be marked 750.

What is the karate system

Karat gold is, by and large, no different from regular gold. Here we are talking only about a unit of measurement of the purity of a jewelry alloy. The difference is that a different system is used. That is, in our case we are not talking about 100 percent, but about 24 shares.

By the way, a frequently asked question is “How many grams does one carat of gold weigh?” is completely incorrect, since here we are talking exclusively about the content of precious metals. The specified unit of mass is used only to determine the mass of precious stones (it is equal to 0.2 g).

The stamps stamped on imported products contain an indicator of the purity of the alloy and the letter “k”. In the metric system, as mentioned earlier, the maximum possible indicator is 999, its analogue in the carat system is 24.

Thus, one fraction is equal to 1/24 of the total weight of the product. So, if we are talking about 9 k, then this metal contains only 9 parts of gold, which, accordingly, equates to the more familiar value of 375. Simply put, 1 carat is equal to 4.166 percent.

In European countries, the most popular products are those with hallmarks of 14 carats and 18 carats. The British are much less demanding in this sense - they are generally satisfied with the 9 k mark. Moreover, in Portugal there is an option that is not used anywhere else in the world - 19.2 k.

In the United States, virtually all gold that goes on sale is stamped with 10k and 14k hallmarks. Moreover, the first sample is the most popular.

The standard is 22 carats in countries located:

• in the Middle East;
• in Asia.

Indians have approximately the same tastes. Rapidly growing wealthier China and quite prosperous Hong Kong give preference to the purest metal, which has a purity of 24 k.

750 gold

The most common standard is 585 gold – this is the result of a long search for the best ratio of quality characteristics and cost. Such jewelry is the most popular and is in the budget segment of the market. For the production of luxury products with precious stones, 750 standard is used, which is much more expensive.

Red jewelry is quite rare; the vast majority have a yellow tint, closer to pure metal. A special place is occupied by noble white gold, obtained by adding platinum or palladium; it is almost always used for the production of diamond jewelry.

How to count samples

It is actually not difficult to independently determine which sample is hidden behind the carat designation.

The procedure for converting from the metric system is as follows:

• our sample is multiplied by 24;
• divided by 1,000.

Example: 583 × 24 ÷ 1,000 = 13.992, that is, almost 14 carats.

If it is necessary to convert into metric units, then:

• 1,000 multiplied by the number of carats;
• divided by 24.

So, when you come across a piece of jewelry with a mark of 14 k, you get: 1,000 × 14 ÷ 24 = 583.333.

Election norm

There is a double situation in answering the question of what is the demand for gold products. The standard choice in European countries is 18 karat gold. The sample does not interest buyers too much. For consumers, especially women, it is enough to see that the jewelry has a rich yellow color and looks attractive. But in America, jewelry of 585 standard (aurum 14 carats) is in great demand. The USA is the only country where the sale of products with a carat value of less than 10 is prohibited, while in the rest of the world the sale of jewelry made from 8-9 carat gold is common.

What does 18 carat mean?

In our opinion, gold with the stamp “18 carat” is 750 fine. It is commonly used to produce high quality piece jewelry. The metal's great plasticity makes it very easy to process and create quite complex compositions.

Nevertheless, it should be understood that imported metal with a mark of 18 k differs from its domestic counterpart primarily in its alloy. In our country, its main component is copper, but abroad they put more silver. Because of this, gold there is light yellow, while Russian gold is reddish. This is not the whole difference - the predominance of copper in impurities strengthens the alloy, which means that products made from it will last longer and at the same time retain a better appearance.

Distinguish gilding

Gold jewelry from countries such as Italy, Turkey, China, Switzerland often does not meet the Russian standard, that is, they do not always have the required quality. This often happens because they are imported into the Russian Federation outside of customs control, and therefore the assay authorities do not check such jewelry.

According to statistics, more than 72% of imported gold is fake, so you need to be careful and attentive when choosing jewelry. It must be remembered that foreign gold (even if it is genuine) has differences from locally produced gold in composition and color, and is also less durable. The shade is in most cases white or yellow, since the products contain a lower percentage of copper in the alloy. You also need to be wary of the fact that 18-karat white gold is often replaced with cheaper silver.

Exactly how much gold is in jewelry made from metal of various samples

For those who don’t really want to bother with calculations, the information below is suitable.

As noted at the beginning of the article, our highest standard is 999. Its analogue in the karat system is 24 k. In both cases, it is assumed that the alloy is 99.9 percent pure precious metal.

Besides:

• 18 k, we have also already found out, is equal to the 750th sample, or 75% gold;
• 14 k is, accordingly, the 580th sample, or 58.5%;
• 12 k – 500th and 50%.
• 9 k – 375th and 37.5%;
• 8 k – 333rd and 33.3%.

How to determine carat content

To determine the marking of a product with absolute certainty, you should look for the designation “750” or “18K” on the back of the jewelry.

If an item has a carat value, it means it also has a manufacturer's mark. The last indicator indicates that the marking is accurate.

It is also necessary to look at the country that manufactured the product. The sample does not indicate the authenticity of the product; it must have a mark with the original trademark of the manufacturer. Only this guarantees that the item is not a fake.

Why is it better to trust the sample on the product?

Each piece of jewelry of domestic or imported origin must have the necessary markings. Imported gold jewelry is always marked with carats and the word “gold”. Certificates for trading are required.

It is important to correctly read the existing name tag, especially on products brought from other countries. After all, most of such jewelry is gold-plated jewelry or silver, which is also indicated by the presence of appropriate markings. Moreover, the price of these jewelry may correspond to the original.

Any gold jewelry brought for sale in the Russian Federation requires assaying. Then the fineness is indicated along with the carats.

We select jewelry according to several criteria

Emotional buying can lead to negative experiences in the future. To avoid this, you need to evaluate the product you like according to several criteria.

Purpose of the product

It is better to purchase high-grade gold not for daily wear. The ideal choice for this need would be 14 carat jewelry.

Soft 18-karat gold can be a wonderful addition to an evening or holiday look. But even with rare wear, such products should be handled very carefully.

Gold standard 14k

Age

An 18-carat precious metal can be a wonderful gift, but such a gift for a child is not the best solution. Children do not yet understand the real value of many things, and they will not be able to properly care for gold.

Category: question-answer

There are many tips on the Internet on how to test gold. How to determine the purity or carat of gold?

Expert opinion

Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich

Jeweler 6th category

Each piece of jewelry sold in Russia must have a hallmark and a hallmark. If there are no marking symbols, this may indicate restoration, alteration of the jewelry, or rare single hand-made work in which a mark is not placed. Then, if you have special reagents or other tools, you can determine the sample yourself. But it is better to visit a specialist who can accurately determine the authenticity and composition of the gold. The best decision would be to buy in jewelry stores with a good reputation and guarantee, for example, in the Sunlight chain, Almaz Holding, MYuZ.

How to convert carats into carats when buying jewelry abroad?

Expert opinion

Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich

Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop

When buying imported jewelry abroad, it is important to pay attention to the stamp and the presence of other signs indicating authenticity. In rare cases, a foreign alloy may not be as pure as the corresponding sample. You can bring this indicator to the usual standard using the formula: carats / 24 * 1000.

How many carats is pure gold?

Expert opinion

Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich

Jeweler 6th category

The precious metal acquires a white color by adding more silver or palladium to the alloy. Today it is a popular alloy with hallmarks: 585, 750, 900. Thus, the carats of white metal are fully consistent with those of yellow, respectively.

Gold granules

How much is a carat of gold in grams?

Expert opinion

Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich

Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop

It is believed that in 1k there is 0.2 grams. But this indicator is used to measure the weight of precious stones exclusively. There is even a special table indicating the carat of stones with the corresponding weight.

Converting carats to sample and back

There are special formulas that allow you to convert values ​​from one sample system to another.

To convert the carat system to metric:

K/24 * 1000

where K is the carat value.

Then, to find out the metric value of 18K, we substitute the numbers into the formula:

18/24 * 1000 = 750

Accordingly, to convert the metric numerical concept into carat, the formula will be inverse:

24*M/1000

Reviews

It became interesting, 18 carat gold - what standard? It turned out that it corresponds to the 750 value. I wanted to buy my wife a ring made of this alloy, but then I decided on 585. The sellers assured that high-grade gold would not be suitable for regular wear.

Genady R., Moscow

Artem L. g, Ivanovo

I have been wearing a chain made of this precious metal for a long time. I haven’t noticed any scratches or damage on it, although I try to take care of it. A year ago I took it to the workshop for polishing, the chain still shines like new.

For me, 18 carats denotes undeniable quality. I purchased a stunning black ring from this precious metal. This shade is given by rhodium, a platinum group metal, which also increases strength. The ring is worn every day, I'm happy with everything.

Valeria P. g, Stavropol

Composition of popular gold alloys

The most common variant of gold in Western countries is 14 karat alloy. It corresponds to our 583rd or 585th sample, which is the most common in the post-Soviet space. This gold alloy has good casting and strength characteristics, which makes it possible to create jewelry from it for everyday wear.

Depending on the number of certain ligatures in the composition, 14 carat gold can have different shades. For example, if it contains about 36% silver and 5.5% copper, then the master will end up with gold jewelry with a greenish tint. If silver in the alloy accounts for 18.3% of silver, and copper about 23.5%, then the popular pink color can be created. But if the amount of copper is increased to 33.5%, and silver is reduced to 8.4%, then a gold product will come out with a distinct reddish tint.

White gold, popular in the West and in our country, is most often made from 14-karat and 18-karat alloys. In the first case, the alloy contains about 23–28% silver, 13–18% palladium or 17% nickel. Copper is found in different versions, but not more than 16%, as well as zinc - about 9%. But in 18-karat gold the following alloys are found: silver (7-15%), palladium (14%), nickel (4%) or zinc (2-5%), copper (15%), nickel (7-16 %). In more expensive options, zinc and copper are not added to the alloy, and rhodium and platinum are used as alloys, but the cost of such jewelry is much higher. In addition, not all countries add nickel to white gold. For example, in the European Union countries, the use of this ligature in jewelry is prohibited at the legislative level, since in some cases it causes allergic reactions in people.

Jewelry with a carat value of 10 or less corresponds to our 375 grade. This alloy contains only 37.5% pure gold, and the lion's share is copper - about 49%. Also, the alloy may contain about ten percent silver and about four percent palladium. Wedding rings are made from similar alloys, the prices of which are affordable. But due to the low content of precious metal in them, such products are not in great demand.

When choosing jewelry marked according to the karat system, you need to be able to recognize real gold and gilding, since it is easy to get confused in their designations.

If on the surface of the jewelry you have chosen you see numbers with a capital letter “K”, for example, “18K”, this means that this means that this is a high-grade gold product corresponding to the 750th standard. But if you find numbers with the letters “KGP” on the jewelry, you should be alert, since this is a gold-plated object. For example, if you see the marking “22KGP”, this means that the gilding contains 916-carat gold, but the item itself is made of a different metal. The abbreviation itself, following the numbers, means the English phrase “karat gold plated”, which translates as “covered with gold in so many carats”.

Table: ratio of different rating systems

Gold ring with a stamp 56

Features of British carat gold

It is not an element of a strict system of weights and measures. Therefore, initially the gold carat, which is also called the British carat, was called non-systemic. Its name itself comes from the carob tree Ceratonia siliqua. This tree is widespread in Mediterranean countries. In ancient times, local residents noticed one interesting feature of the fruits of this evergreen plant: all its pods were always the same size and weight. People began to use this unique feature as a weight standard. During the heyday of the Roman Empire, the dry fruits of this tree were officially included in the system of measures. One unit corresponded to 0.19 grams, and this unit was called “siliqua”. Carat is the Greek name for siliqua, which spread throughout the world much later.

And here lies the main point that confuses many people. The carat, which traces its origins back to the Mediterranean wood, is used to measure the weight of diamonds, while the gold carat is not based on weight. Unlike its metric counterpart, which has a precise weight, the imperial gold alloy quality unit is a dimensionless value. It indicates the number of parts of pure gold in a particular product.

The maximum is 24 parts of the mass of the object. For example, it weighs 100 grams and is made of pure gold. In this case, to understand how many grams are in 1 carat of gold, you need to divide one hundred grams by 24. Thus, it turns out that one carat in a hundred-gram gold item can be equated to 4.1 grams, and depending on the weight of the item and its purity alloy this figure will change.

Due to the variability of British carat weights, no one uses weight as a guide. Take into account how many parts of pure gold are contained in the product.

So, if the 24-karat indicator indicates that the object consists of 100% precious metal, then in a 12-karat piece of jewelry it already accounts for 50%, and the remaining 50% are various ligatures. To find out the percentage of pure precious metal in a piece of jewelry, focus on one carat, which corresponds to 4.2%. For example, if you have an 18 carat piece of jewelry, simply multiply 18 by the percentage of one carat (4.2%) and you will get just over 75%.

Care and rules for handling high-karat gold

Compliance with the following rules will preserve the presentable appearance of the decoration and help avoid the appearance of various defects:

• You should remove jewelry before cleaning, cooking, any water procedures, or visiting the gym;
• Solar precious metal should be stored separately from other jewelry, the storage location should be dry. Boxes upholstered in soft fabric or jewelry bags are ideal;
• Products should be maintained regularly. This can be done at home, but the best solution would be to regularly visit a jewelry workshop;

Determining the carat value of a product using the acid method. Instructions

Using simple methods, you can establish the authenticity of gold. But how to determine the sample or carat? It is difficult to do this at home, since you will have to purchase special reagents. A jeweler can use the acid method to determine the purity of items. It is also used in pawnshops, buying precious items. To do this, a small scratch is made on the jewelry, onto which a little acid is dripped, which reacts with the noble metal. Based on the result, you can determine how many carats the product corresponds to.

Step by step test execution:

1. Clean the product from dirt and make a small scratch.
2. Take reagents intended for different carats. First, apply a drop from the bottle with the lowest reading onto the scratch. If the carat value is higher than that indicated on the bottle, the color of the alloy will not change. Then the experiment must be repeated until a match is found.
3. When the carat value of the reagent matches the precious metal, the location of the damage will slightly change the shade. If the value of the jewelry differs by several carats, the scratch will be covered with light rust. If the alloy has a quality several carats higher than indicated on the bottle, then the scratch will dissolve and disappear.