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Yellow gold has a warm, rich look that’s resurging in popularity for engagement rings. Extremely versatile, it lends itself to a number of styles — but here’s your first choice: 14k or 18k yellow gold?
The difference between 14k and 18k yellow gold is the amount of gold each contains. 18k yellow gold contains 75 percent gold and 25 percent alloyed metals, and 14k yellow gold contains 58 percent gold and 42 percent alloys. The proportion causes a slight difference in appearance and price.
CAN YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 14K AND 18K YELLOW GOLD?
Yes, the two types are beautifully distinct. 18k yellow gold is a rich yellow color, while 14k looks whiter because it contains more alloy. But the difference in appearance can also depend on accent diamonds — the more you have, the less focal the metal will be.
WHAT’S THE PRICE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 14K AND 18K YELLOW GOLD?
There’s a slight price difference between 14k and 18k yellow gold: 18k will cost a bit more, because it contains more actual gold than 14k.
The price difference varies from style to style (you can easily compare on our product pages). The more metal used in the setting, the more the price difference will be. In smaller, petite rings the difference can hover around $90, but for styles that use a lot of metal detailing and a thick band, the difference can climb above $200.
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN DURABILITY?
Yes, and that’s also dependent on the amount of gold in each. 18k golds are softer than 14k, because they include more actual gold, which is a relatively soft metal. Yellow gold also isn’t coated in anything, like white gold is with rhodium, so it doesn’t gain any additional strength that way.
IS 14K OR 18K YELLOW GOLD BETTER?
That totally depends on your personal preference! If you have a particularly active lifestyle or work a lot with your hands, you might want to opt for 14k gold for its higher durability. How yellow you like your yellow gold to be might also influence your decision — but remember that if you choose an engagement ring style with several accent diamonds, that could change the ring’s overall effect. Considering durability and look, and aiming for a balance of those two factors according to your personal taste and priorities, is probably the best way to decide.