14 karat gold means that the piece of jewellery consists of 58.5 percent pure gold, while the rest is other metals. Karat indicates the gold content on a scale from 1 to 24, where 24 karat is pure gold. When a piece of jewellery is 14 karat, the gold therefore makes up 14 out of 24 parts - this corresponds to 585 parts pure gold out of 1,000, and that is why 14 karat gold is stamped with the number 585.

In other words, the number says nothing about weight or size, but about how large a proportion of the metal is actually gold. The remaining roughly 41 percent is typically copper, silver and a little of other metals, which are added to make the gold stronger and to determine its colour.

How karat is converted into percent

The karat scale for gold goes from 1 to 24, and each karat corresponds to one twenty-fourth pure gold. 24 karat is 100 percent gold, 18 karat is 18 out of 24 parts and thereby 75 percent, and 14 karat is 14 out of 24 parts, which gives 58.5 percent.

The gold content can also be expressed in thousandths, and that is the form used in the jewellery stamp. 14 karat corresponds to 585 thousandths, 18 karat to 750 and 24 karat to 999 or 1,000. When 585 is written on the inside of a ring, it is therefore the same information as 14 karat, just written as a parts-per-thousand of pure gold.

It is worth distinguishing between karat with a k and carat with a c. Karat with a k describes the purity of the gold, while carat with a c is a unit of weight for gemstones, where 1 carat corresponds to 0.2 grams. The two words sound alike, but concern vastly different things.

Why pure gold is mixed with other metals

Pure gold is a very soft metal. A piece of jewellery made of 24 karat gold would easily bend, scratch and wear, and it would quickly lose its shape with daily use. That is why gold is mixed with other metals, so it becomes harder and more resistant.

The metals that are added are called alloying metals, and the mixture itself is called an alloy. 14 karat gold is an alloy in which the gold is dominant, but where copper and silver provide the strength that makes the piece usable in everyday life.

The balance in 14 karat makes the metal well suited to rings, earrings and bracelets that are worn often. The gold content is still high enough that the colour and the properties associated with gold are preserved, while the added metals keep the piece more robust than a higher karat grade would.

How the alloy determines the colour

The colour of a gold piece depends on which metals are mixed in. Gold gets its colour from a combination of copper and silver, while other mixtures give other shades.

White gold is made by alloying the gold with white metals, so that the yellow tone is subdued and the metal takes on a cool, silvery appearance. Many white gold pieces are also plated with rhodium, which gives an extra bright and shiny surface. If you want to understand the material more closely, the article what is white gold goes in depth with how white gold is built up.

Both 14K gold and 14K white gold have the same gold content of 58.5 percent - the difference lies solely in which metals make up the remaining parts. At Longvé, 14K gold and 14K white gold are precisely the dominant metals, and many designs are available in both colours, so the same piece can be chosen in the shade one prefers. This applies, for example, to a classic round solitaire ring, which is made in both gold and white gold.

What the 585 stamp tells you

All genuine gold jewellery must be stamped with an indication of the gold content. On 14 karat gold it is the number 585, which indicates the 585 thousandths pure gold. The stamp is typically placed in a discreet spot, for example on the inside of a ring or on the clasp of a necklace.

In addition to the purity stamp, a piece of jewellery may carry further marks, for example a stamp from the maker. If you want to know more about what the various marks cover, the article what do hallmarks in jewellery mean elaborates on the subject.

A stamp like 585 is therefore a quick way to read that it is 14 karat gold, without knowing the whole calculation behind it.

What 14 karat means in practice for a piece of jewellery

For the person wearing the piece, 14 karat means first and foremost a combination of a high gold content and a durability that suits daily use. A piece of jewellery in 14 karat gold can withstand being worn often without being damaged as easily as a softer, purer gold would be.

The gold content of 58.5 percent at the same time gives a clear, warm gold colour that lasts over time. This applies whether it is a simple slim necklace, a pair of tiny huggies or a ring with diamonds.

With the right care, 14 karat gold retains its appearance for many years. The article how to clean gold goes through how to keep gold jewellery clean and shiny at home.