What does the 'k' stand for in 14k, 18k or 24k gold?
What does the 'k' mean in 14k?
The 'k' stands for 'karat' and refers to the percentage of pure gold present in a piece of jewellery or alloy. Gold is a much softer material compared to other metals and is often mixed with other metals to form a more durable piece of jewellery. Pure gold is referred to as 24k gold.
- 14k gold contains 58.3% gold
- 18k gold contains 75% gold
- 24k gold contains 100% gold