Be honest – How often have you been dragged into conversations where never-heard-before terms like ’22-karat gold,’ for instance, have been thrown your way? If your answer is more than once, then you’re probably in the right place.
The world of gold can be tough to navigate and if you’re new to it, you’re bound to feel more lost than Alice when she first walked into Wonderland. But don’t worry, because that’s where we come in!
From understanding the purity of 22K gold to highlighting its different hues, we’ve noted down everything you need to know about this metal in this article.
So, what are you waiting for? Read on…
What Is 22K Gold?
Before we answer this question, let’s first talk about gold itself!
IMO, pure gold is like that one friend who insists on wearing white to a mud wrestling match — Gorgeous but not exactly practical for life’s messy adventures. To toughen up its act, it’s often teamed with alloy metals like palladium and zinc, for example.
Depending on the quantity of alloy metals present within the same, gold can typically be found in several purity levels. And that’s where the karat system comes in. This system measures the gold’s purity by calculating the ratio of pure gold content to other alloy metals (out of 24 parts) present within a sparkler.
Now, back to the star of our show…
Featuring 22 parts pure gold and 2 parts other metals, we like to think of 22K gold as the Beyoncé of alloys (metals made by combining two or more metallic elements). In terms of percentage, 22K gold is about 91.67 percent pure gold. The remaining 8.33 percent? Well, that’s comprised of a secret blend of metals like silver, zinc, nickel and some other fancy alloys.
Want to know the best part? After 24K gold, 22K gold is considered to be the most valuable in the gold club. Not only that, but thanks to its alloy metal content, this metal is more resistant to scratches and dings as compared to its 24K cousin.
Also Read: What’s The Difference between Rose and White Gold?
22K Gold Colours: What Are They?
Interestingly, in addition to amping up its durability, alloy metals can also change the colour of gold. The three main colours are as follows:
1. Yellow Gold
Picture this: Pure gold mingling with alloy metals like silver, copper and zinc. The result? 22K yellow gold, or as we like to call it, the OG of gold colours. It’s rich, warm and practically screams ‘traditional.’ So, if you’re into the classics, yellow gold is your soulmate.
Also Read: What is the Difference Between 14k and 18k Gold?
2. White Gold
If yellow gold is a vintage record, then we like to think of 22K white gold as a sleek, modern playlist. Featuring a silvery-white colour, this trendy metal is created by blending gold with silver, zinc, nickel and/or palladium. It’s adored for its distinctive sheen which is achieved through its rhodium plating.
3. Rose Gold
Want your gold to show off your romantic side? Look no further than 22K rose gold!
This blush-worthy metal gets its eye-catching pinkish tinge from the copper which is mixed into pure gold.
*Cue the oohs and aahs*
Also Read: The Different Types of Gold
What Is 22K Gold Used For?
Thanks to its durability, 22K gold is the MVP in the jewellery-making game. It’s considered to be the gold choice (or at least one of them) when crafting showstopping pieces that can withstand the test of time (and maybe a dance party or two).
Did You Know?
The use of gold to create jewellery dates back to around 6,000 years ago. That’s right, even ancient civilizations knew how to accessorize like pros. Pretty cool, huh?
Also Read: What’s the Difference Between White and Yellow Gold?
Is 22K Gold Worth the Investment?
Absolutely!
Besides being durable and drop-dead gorgeous, one of the biggest benefits of 22K gold is that it’s almost 100% pure. Needless to say, this makes it extremely valuable.
So, the next time you’re debating whether or not to invest in this metal, just go for it – Trust us, your future self will thank you!
Also Read: How to Test Gold at Home
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What does the term ’22K’ gold mean?
In short, 22K gold is an alloy (a metal made by mixing two or more metallic elements) comprising 22 parts pure gold and 2 parts other metals. After 24K gold, this metal is considered to be the most valuable form of gold available today.
