Women's Gold Jewelry

Gold: Karat, Color and Care

Pure gold is too soft to hold a shape, so every piece of gold jewelry is an alloy. The karat number states how much of it is gold: 10K is a little under half, 14K a little over half, 18K three quarters. That single number drives price, depth of color and how well a piece resists scratches, in opposite directions: higher karat means richer color and a softer surface.

Most of the women's gold jewelry here is 14K, with a smaller 10K range and a couple of 18K chains. White gold and yellow gold make up nearly all of it; two-tone, tri-color and white-and-rose pieces add variety, and a few pieces are rose gold. The karat stamp is stated on every listing. A small number of pieces combine sterling silver with gold, and those are labelled as such rather than described as solid gold.

The color comes from what the gold is mixed with. Copper pushes the alloy toward rose, silver and other white metals toward white, and a balance keeps it yellow. White gold is usually finished with rhodium plating for brightness; that plating wears over years and can be renewed by a jeweler. Yellow and rose gold have their color all the way through and never need re-plating.

Gold does not tarnish, but it does pick up a film from lotion, soap and skin oil, which is what usually makes a piece look dull. Warm water, a drop of mild dish soap and a soft brush restore it. Keep gold away from chlorine, which attacks the alloy metals and can cause permanent damage, so take rings off before a pool or hot tub. Our jewelry care guide covers each material, and the gold jewelry page gathers the gold pieces by type.

When choosing between white and yellow gold, look at what is already worn most days. Matching the metal of an engagement ring or a watch usually matters more than any single design, and a piece in the right color gets worn far more often.

Further reading: 10K vs 14K vs 18K Gold, Platinum vs White Gold, Jewelry Care Guide.