Kansas City Metro · Lenexa, KS
Gold Karat Guide — 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, and 24K Explained
Karat measures how much pure gold is in an alloy, on a scale of 24. Pure gold is 24 karat; a 14K piece is 14/24 gold by weight, or about 58.5%. Here's a full breakdown of every common karat, how to identify it, and what it's worth.
The karat scale at a glance
The number stamped on your jewelry tells you the purity. Higher karat = more pure gold = higher value per gram, but softer metal that dents and scratches more easily.
- 10K — 41.7% gold. Common in US class rings and inexpensive jewelry. Marked '10K' or '417'.
- 14K — 58.5% gold. The most common US jewelry karat. Marked '14K' or '585'.
- 18K — 75.0% gold. High-end jewelry, European brands. Marked '18K' or '750'.
- 22K — 91.6% gold. Indian and Middle Eastern jewelry, some bullion coins. Marked '22K' or '916'.
- 24K — 99.9% gold. Pure gold. Bullion bars, Canadian Maples, Chinese Pandas. Marked '999' or '9999'.
How to read gold markings
Most gold is stamped with either the karat number (10K, 14K, 18K) or the fineness in parts-per-thousand (417, 585, 750, 916, 999). Look inside ring shanks, on chain clasps, on earring posts, and on the back of pendants. A magnifying loupe helps. If you can't find a stamp, don't assume it isn't gold — many older or handmade pieces are unmarked. Bring it in and we'll test.
Watch out for these markings that AREN'T gold
Some stamps look like gold but indicate plated or filled items with negligible gold content.
- GP — Gold Plated (thin electroplated layer)
- GF — Gold Filled (thicker layer, but still mostly base metal)
- GEP — Gold Electroplated
- HGE — Heavy Gold Electroplate
- RGP — Rolled Gold Plate
- 1/20 12K GF — Gold-filled marking, base metal underneath
Example: what's your 14K chain worth?
The value of a karat gold chain depends on its verified weight, its actual gold purity, and the current wholesale market — plus the refining and processing work required to turn scrap or karat jewelry back into resalable metal. Numbers move day to day; walk in for a live quote on your specific piece.
Is higher karat always better?
For resale to a buyer, yes — more gold means more value per gram. For durability in daily wear, no — 24K is very soft and dents easily. That's why most wedding bands are 14K or 18K rather than 24K. This doesn't change what we pay; we pay for actual gold content regardless of the alloy's hardness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does '585' mean on my ring?
It means 58.5% pure gold, which is 14K. It's the European way of marking 14K.
Is 14K gold real gold?
Yes, absolutely. 14K is 58.5% pure gold mixed with harder alloy metals for strength. It's the most common karat in American jewelry.
Do you buy 10K gold?
Yes, we buy every karat from 10K through 24K. Lower karats pay less per gram because they contain less gold, but they're still fully valued.
What about unmarked gold?
Bring it in. We test unmarked pieces electronically and with acid to determine actual karat. Many antique and handmade items lack stamps.
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