What’s the Difference Between 9-karat and 18-karat Gold?

Many couples who shop for an engagement ring with Diamond Heaven ask “Is 9kt gold the same as 18kt gold?” The metal you choose is essential when deciding which engagement ring to get. Are you planning to wear your ring every day? Do you use your hands a lot? These things can influence which metal to choose for your engagement ring.

Here, we outline the differences between 9-karat and 18-karat gold. 

18ct Gold Contains More Gold Than 9ct Gold

The main difference between 18 and 9ct gold is the amount of gold mixed within the precious metal. Gold is a naturally soft metal and needs to be mixed with other precious metals to form the beautiful pieces of jewellery we see today, the question is how much gold do you want mixed into your engagement ring?

The highest purity of gold in jewellery is 24-karat, a softer form of gold that can move and bend easily. Therefore, 24kt gold isn’t used in the UK for jewellery. You will see more 9kt gold and 18kt gold being sold in the UK and 14kt gold is popular in the USA. All 9kt and 18kt gold jewellery we offer at Diamond Heaven consists of:

• 9kt gold - Consists of 37.5% pure gold and the rest will be a mix of other metals.  Yellow gold is mixed with alloys such as copper and zinc. While white gold is mixed with palladium and magnesium. 

• 18kt yellow gold - consists of 75% pure gold and 25% other precious metals (which can include zinc, copper, silver, magnesium or palladium, depending on which gold it is). 

18kt Gold is Well Suited to Heirloom Jewellery 

When thinking about the jewellery you want to hand over to future generations of your family, you may prefer to buy 18kt gold jewellery as its higher purity of gold means it will hold a higher value over time than lower purity gold and is something to be treasured as it is passed down the line.

Our 18kt wedding bands, eternity rings, and engagement rings are created with durability in mind, it is carefully mixed with other metals to increase their durability. If you plan to wear your 18kt gold engagement ring or diamond ring daily, it is unlikely to tarnish over time. However, on white gold, the rhodium coating can wear quickly and you will start to see the champagne colour of the gold mix in the metal reveal itself. This does not damage your ring. You can take your ring to your local jeweller to have the rhodium coating on your white gold ring re-applied and your ring will be back to looking brand new all over again.

9kt and 18kt gold are great options to consider for your engagement ring. However, we advise removing your precious jewellery no matter the gold purity for manual tasks from sports, going to the gym and working on home D.I.Y projects to avoid the risk of accidental damage.

Like any jewellery piece, regular maintenance and cleaning will ensure your ring continues to sparkle for decades. Diamond Heaven’s after care service ensures your ring is professionally cleaned, polished and repaired where necessary by our specialist workshop. Visit your local showroom and we can take you through the process if you need rhodium coating of your white gold ring from us or if you need to have your jewellery from us polished to remove any scratches, light dents or signs of wear on your ring.

9kt Gold is an Affordable Jewellery Option

For affordable gold diamond jewellery options, 9kt yellow, white or rose gold is great if you want a budget-friendly diamond ring. It allows you to prioritise more of your budget on a larger gemstone or diamond for your ring or pendant and keep it all within the price range you have set for your jewellery purchase. 

While an 18kt yellow gold diamond ring is known for its bright colour, the same ring in a 9kt version displays a slightly lighter shade of yellow as it has less gold purity. Please always remember to remove your gold jewellery when you have any manual tasks to avoid accidental damage.

18kt Gold Jewellery Has a Heavier, Solid Feel

An 18kt gold engagement ring may have a weightier feel than a 9kt gold engagement ring depending on the design. Usually, with the higher gold purity, gold weighs more than most precious metals. You may find it feels more sturdy on the finger and gives your ring a premium, luxurious look. If you prefer to wear your ring every day, consider buying an 18kt gold diamond ring as it can withstand daily wear better and hold a longer lustre.

Knowing the differences between 9ct and 18ct gold will help you decide which gold engagement ring to buy. Have you decided on what you want for your engagement ring? Book an appointment at our local Diamond Heaven showroom today. Our highly-trained and experienced diamond consultants will answer your questions and assist you with finding your perfect piece of gold jewellery.