Karat, written as K, describes gold fineness on a 24-part scale. 24K is the highest karat designation for gold, while 18K means 18 of 24 parts by mass are gold, or 75%. The remaining portion of an 18K alloy is made from other metals selected to achieve the required color and working properties.
What 18K and 24K mean
- 24K: the highest karat gold designation, associated with very high gold fineness.
- 18K: 75% gold by mass, with the balance made from alloying metals.
The karat number tells you gold content. It does not, by itself, tell you the finished piece’s weight, craftsmanship, dimensions, stone specifications, price or suitability for a particular use.
Color and alloy composition
High-fineness gold has a strong yellow appearance. In 18K jewelry, alloy composition can change color and physical properties, which is why 18K pieces may be made in yellow, white or rose-gold styles. The exact alloy should be treated as a product-level specification rather than inferred from a photo.
Durability and everyday wear
Higher-purity gold is generally softer than many lower-karat gold alloys. That can matter for jewelry exposed to frequent knocks, bending or abrasion. But construction also matters: thickness, shape, setting design and how the piece is worn all affect durability. Ask about the exact item rather than choosing only from the karat number.
How karat affects price
Gold content is one part of a jewelry price, but it is not the whole price. Total gold weight, craftsmanship, design and any diamonds or other stones can all change the finished price. Compare the current price of the exact piece or custom configuration instead of assuming that one 24K item must cost more than a different 18K item.
Which karat is right for a piece?
Start with how the jewelry will be worn, then confirm the product’s recorded gold specification. A daily-wear ring and a traditional gold bangle can have different practical priorities. Sok Kheang Jewelry’s catalog includes products with different recorded gold values, so collection pages do not assume one karat for every item.
You can compare current catalog examples in the bangle collection, women’s rings and other collections, then send the product code to our team to verify the exact material and price.
For custom jewelry, specify the gold before approval
If a piece is being custom made, make the intended gold specification part of the confirmed order details. Do not rely on the color of a reference image to establish karat or alloy. Our custom jewelry guide explains which details are worth confirming before production.