All karats of solid gold are real gold, made to last. The karat tells you how much pure gold is in the metal; the rest is a blend of other metals that adds strength and shapes the color. Here's how to choose.
Gold karats at a glance
| 10K | 14K | 18K | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure gold | 41.7% | 58.3% | 75% |
| Durability | Hardest | Very durable | Softer, still durable |
| Color | Paler, subtle | Classic warm gold | Rich, deep gold |
| Best for | Budget-friendly everyday wear | Everyday rings and stacks | Statement pieces and sensitive skin |
| Price | $ | $$ | $$$ |
14K gold: the everyday favorite
14K is the most popular choice for fine jewelry in the US. With 58.3% pure gold, it balances a warm, classic color with the strength to handle daily life: typing, workouts (with care), and constant wear. If you're building a stack you'll never take off, 14K is a great place to start. Explore our stacking rings.
18K gold: richer color, more gold
18K gold contains 75% pure gold, which gives it a deeper, more luxurious yellow and a weightier feel. It's slightly softer than 14K, so it may show fine scratches sooner, which many people love as a natural patina. Because it contains less alloy, 18K is also a good option for sensitive skin.
10K gold: the most durable
10K gold has the lowest gold content of the three, which makes it the hardest and most scratch-resistant, with a softer, paler gold color. It's a smart choice if you're hard on your jewelry or want solid gold at a lower price.
Yellow, white or rose gold?
- Yellow gold is the classic. Warm and timeless, it flatters most skin tones and looks great stacked.
- White gold is gold alloyed with white metals for a cool, silvery tone. It's often finished with rhodium for extra brightness, which can be refreshed by a jeweler over time.
- Rose gold gets its blush tone from copper. Soft, romantic and beautiful mixed with yellow gold.
Solid gold vs. plated, vermeil and gold-filled
Gold-plated, vermeil and gold-filled jewelry have a layer of gold over another metal. That layer can wear away, exposing the metal underneath. Solid gold is gold all the way through: it won't flake or wear through, and it can be polished, resized and repaired for decades.
What we offer
Ophir Gold rings are made in solid 14K and 18K gold, in yellow, white and rose. Choose your karat and color on any product page. Shop all rings →