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Diamond Terms K

~ Diamond Terminology from A to Z ~

There are thousands of terms being used in today's jewelry industry. Some common knowledge, others are obscure and baffling. We've created a database of terminology from A to Z to make it easy, and of course if you still have questions, please do not hesitate to send us an email or give us a call.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Karat

Karat is how gold is measured. More to the point, Karat is used to describe the PURITY in gold. You'll see it marked at 10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, or 24k. However, you will rarely see 24K gold in a piece of jewelry because 24K is PURE gold, and you can't add any metal to it to change it's color, or strength. So if you do see 24K gold and it's White Gold. Someone is most likely pulling the wool over your eyes. You'll see 24K in bars of gold. Here's a breakdown of each degree of karat.

10k - 10K can also be marked at 410, 415, 420. Due to the parts of gold in it. In other words 10K Gold is only 40% to 41% gold

14K - 14K can also be marked at 585. In other words 14K Gold is about 58% gold.

18K - 18K can also be marked at 750. Making it about 75% gold.

24k - 24K will be marked 24K. It is pure gold.

The reason for the 410, 585, 750 is to show how many "parts" gold it is out of 1000 parts. Where as 18K gold is 750 parts gold and 250 parts metal alloy.

The Metal Alloy used will determine the color of the gold.

- Adding in Nickel, or Pallidium to the gold will produce white gold.
- The more copper you add to gold the more pink it will become creating a rose colored gold.
- If your tastes include the color green than go ahead and add some Silver to the gold.

Adding too much or not enough of a certain metal(s), and you could end up with a much unwelcome mixture of junk. Which when used will end up making your gold to soft or way to brittle, and hard.

Karat vs. Carat

Karat is NOT the same thing as Carat. Carats are used to describe the weight of a diamond or gem. Karat is ONLY used to describe the purity of gold, and gold is usually weighed in grams.

King Louis the XIV

The original owner of the Hope Diamond. Weighing in at 67.50 Carats this Pear shaped diamond is an incredibly rare DEEP BLUE in color. The diamond exchanged hands a few times, but King Louis the XIV eventually took gain of it once again. The lore around the Hope Diamond is that it's Cursed, in that anyone who possesses it will almost certainly experience some sort of disaster. King Louis the XIV eventually died and the diamond disappeared once again.