What karat means
Karat measures gold purity in 24ths. 24K is pure gold; 18K is 75% gold; 14K is 58.3%; 9K is 37.5%; 22K is 91.7%. The balance is alloy metals — copper, silver, zinc, palladium — which give the metal its hardness and its final color.
14K: the durability champion
With more alloy than gold, 14K is the hardest everyday-wear karat. It resists scratches and bent prongs better than higher karats, holds polish longer, and costs less. Its color is slightly paler than 18K, which most people only notice in a side-by-side comparison. For an engagement ring worn daily for decades, 14K is the pragmatic choice.
18K: the luxury standard
18K is the karat of fine European jewelry houses — rich, warm color with enough alloy to remain practical. It is softer than 14K, so prongs need checking a little more often, but it is the better choice for sensitive skin since it contains less of the alloy metals (especially nickel) that cause reactions.
22K and 9K: the two extremes
22K is prized in Indian tradition for its deep, saturated color and high intrinsic value, but at 91.7% purity it is too soft to securely hold a valuable center diamond — we recommend it only for bands and bezel settings, with realistic expectations about scratching.
9K sits at the opposite end: the most affordable and hardest-wearing, with a paler, subtler gold tone. It is a sensible choice for a budget-conscious build, though its higher alloy content makes it the most likely to affect very sensitive skin.
Color is a separate choice
Yellow, rose and white gold are all available at most karats — the alloy mix sets the hue. White gold is rhodium-plated for its bright finish and benefits from re-plating every couple of years. Rose gold's copper content makes it slightly more durable at the same karat. Pick the color that flatters the wearer's skin tone first, then the karat that fits the budget and lifestyle.