Choosing the perfect gold colour and karat for your engagement ring, wedding band, or other custom jewellery design starts with understanding the metal itself. While gold has been extremely popular throughout the ages, it is rarely used in its pure form. Its purity, colour, and alloy composition dramatically affect appearance, durability, price, and suitability for daily wear.
At Omori Diamonds, we specialize in fine gold jewellery crafted to the highest standards. In the following article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about gold types, karats, colours, and specialty finishes so that you can make the best decision for your next purchase. Whether you love classic yellow gold’s warmth, white gold’s sleek brilliance, or rose gold’s romantic glow, you’ll discover which option best matches your lifestyle and aesthetics.
What Is Gold Purity?
Gold purity measures the amount of actual gold in an alloy, expressed in karats (K). Pure gold is 24K, meaning 99.9%+ gold with only trace impurities. Everything below that is made of a mixture of pure gold with other metals (alloys) to improve strength, change colour, or reduce cost.
The formula is simple:
Karat ÷ 24 = percentage of pure gold
Examples:
- 18K = 18 ÷ 24 = 75% pure gold
- 14K = 14 ÷ 24 = 58.3% pure gold
- 10K = 10 ÷ 24 = 41.7% pure gold (the minimum to be called “gold” in the US)
Higher karat means richer colour and higher intrinsic value; however, the metal becomes softer and more prone to scratches and bending.
How Gold Purity Affects Value & Durability
The more pure gold an item contains, the higher its melt value and resale potential. An 18K gold ring will always be worth more (gram for gram) than a 14K ring because it contains more pure gold.
Durability works in the opposite direction. Pure (24K) gold is extremely soft, about as hard as a fingernail, so it bends and scratches easily. That’s why almost all jewellery uses alloyed gold. The added metals (copper, silver, zinc, nickel, palladium) make the piece significantly harder and more resistant to daily wear.
For engagement rings and wedding bands that can handle an active lifestyle, most jewellers (including Omori Diamonds) recommend 14K or 18K as the sweet spot between luxury and longevity.
Common Karat Levels Of Gold
| 24K | 99.9% | Richest yellow | Very soft | Special occasions, investment bars | Highest |
| 22K | 91.7% | Very rich | Soft | Traditional & cultural jewellery | Very high |
| 18K | 75% | Deep, luxurious | Good balance | Fine jewellery, engagement rings | High |
| 14K | 58.3% | Slightly lighter | Very durable | Every day rings, active lifestyles | Moderate |
| 10K | 41.7% | Pale | Extremely hard | Budget-friendly daily wear | Lowest |
24K Gold – Pure Gold
24K gold is 99.9%+ pure and has the most intense, buttery yellow colour nature can produce. It never tarnishes or oxidizes and is completely hypoallergenic.
However, it is far too soft for most jewellery. A 24K wedding band would bend within weeks of normal wear. Because of this, 24K is mainly used in such things as:
- Investment coins and bars
- High-karat Asian and Middle Eastern bridal jewellery (often heavily designed to minimize bending)
- Ultra-luxury limited-edition pieces meant for occasional wear
At Omori Diamonds, we do not tend to use 24K and rather craft our engagement rings, wedding rings, and custom pieces in 14K and sometimes 18K.
22K Gold – High Purity With Strength
22K gold contains 91.7% pure gold, delivering an exceptionally rich colour while gaining just enough alloy to make it wearable.
It remains relatively soft compared to lower karats. Still, many cultures (especially Indian, Arabic, and Southeast Asian) prefer 22K for bridal sets and heirloom jewellery because of its near-pure status and deep golden glow.
22K scratches more easily than 18K or 14K, but many wearers love the soft patina it develops over generations. If you want maximum gold content with reasonable durability, 22K is an excellent choice for pieces that aren’t worn daily.
18K Gold – Popular For Fine Jewellery
18K gold (75% pure) is the gold standard (pun intended) for luxury jewellery worldwide, especially in Europe and high-end American brands.
It offers:
- Rich, warm colour that’s noticeably deeper than 14K
- Excellent durability for daily wear
- Superior scratch resistance compared to 22K or 24K
- Hypoallergenic options (nickel-free with palladium)
Many designers craft their signature engagement rings and fine jewellery in 18K because it beautifully balances luxury, longevity, and wearability. The metal feels substantial on the finger and holds intricate details and gem settings exceptionally well.
14K & 10K Gold – Durable Every Day Options
14K gold (58.3% pure) is the most popular choice in the United States and Canada for wedding bands and engagement rings, offering outstanding durability at an accessible price point.
The higher alloy content makes 14K significantly harder than 18K, so it is perfect for people with active lifestyles, jobs that involve their hands (ex., manual labour), or anyone who wants a “wear it forever” ring without constant worry.
10K gold offers even greater durability and affordability, though the colour is noticeably paler, and it contains the least pure gold. It’s an excellent option for fashion jewellery or starter wedding bands.
At Omori Diamonds, our everyday luxury collections heavily feature 14K and 18K solid gold pieces designed to last lifetimes.
Different Gold Colours And Alloys
Pure gold is always yellow. Every other colour is created by carefully controlling the alloy metals mixed with gold.
Yellow Gold – Classic Elegance
Traditional yellow gold is alloyed with roughly equal parts silver and copper to maintain its natural warm tone while adding strength.
It never needs plating, develops a beautiful vintage patina over decades, and complements almost every skin tone. Yellow gold feels timeless and heirloom-worthy, perfect for classic solitaire engagement rings or vintage-inspired designs.
White Gold – Modern Appeal
White gold is created by mixing pure yellow gold with white metals, such as nickel, palladium, manganese, or zinc, to form an alloy. Most white gold jewellery is then rhodium-plated to achieve a bright, platinum-like finish.
Pros:
- Sleek, contemporary look
- Makes diamonds appear whiter and larger
- More affordable than platinum
Considerations:
- Rhodium plating wears off over 1 to 3 years, depending on wear
- Nickel alloys can cause reactions in sensitive skin
White gold dominates modern engagement ring sales and pairs beautifully with cool-toned gemstones.
Rose Gold – Trendy & Romantic
Rose gold (also called pink or red gold) gets its warm, blush tone from a higher copper content in the alloy.
The more copper, the stronger the pink/red hue. An 18K rose tends to be softer pink; a 14K rose is more pronounced.
Rose gold is exceptionally durable thanks to its copper content, never requires plating, and flatters nearly every skin tone, especially warm and olive complexions. It has been one of the fastest-growing choices for engagement rings over the past decade.
Other Colours – Green, Blue, Purple, & Black Gold
- Green gold (also called electrum when naturally occurring): Created with high silver content, offering a subtle lime or olive tint. Rare and beautiful in nature-inspired designs.
- Blue gold: Alloyed with indium or iron; very brittle and mainly used as accents.
- Purple gold: Alloyed with aluminum; fragile and typically used only in small decorative elements.
- Black gold: Achieved through rhodium plating, controlled oxidation, or cobalt oxide coatings. Dramatic and contemporary – perfect for men’s wedding bands or bold fashion pieces.
These specialty colours are less common but growing in popularity for unique, artistic jewellery.
Gold-Plated, Gold-Filled, And Vermeil Explained
Not all “gold” jewellery is solid gold. Here’s the difference:
Gold-Plated – Affordable Options
Gold-plated jewellery has a micron-thin layer of gold (usually 0.5 to 2 microns) electroplated over a base metal (brass or copper).
It offers the look of gold at fashion jewellery prices, but wears off relatively quickly with daily wear, sometimes within months. Best for occasional-wear pieces or trend items you don’t plan to keep forever.
Gold-Filled – Durable Layered Gold
Gold-filled (sometimes marked 1/20 14K GF) features a thick layer of gold (at least 5% of total weight) mechanically bonded to a brass core under heat and pressure.
The gold layer is hundreds of times thicker than plating, so it lasts for years, even decades, with proper care. Excellent value for everyday jewellery that looks and feels like solid gold at a fraction of the price.
Vermeil – Luxury Silver With Gold Coating
Vermeil (pronounced ver-may) is sterling silver coated with a thick layer (minimum 2.5 microns) of at least 10K gold, traditionally 18K or higher for better quality.
It combines silver’s brightness with gold’s warmth and is significantly more durable than standard gold plating.
Choosing The Right Type Of Gold With Omori Diamonds In Winnipeg
When it comes to choosing the right gold to go with, it largely depends on your lifestyle, budget, and aesthetic preferences:
- Want maximum luxury and heirloom potential? – Choose 18K solid gold.
- Need something virtually indestructible for daily wear? – Go with 14K.
- Love romantic warmth? – Rose gold can be a perfect choice.
- Do you have any skin allergies? – Avoid white gold and go with platinum or yellow gold.
Whatever your choice, investing in quality craftsmanship ensures your piece will be treasured for generations.
Explore Omori Diamonds’ complete collections of 14K and 18K yellow, white, and rose gold engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewellery. Every piece is designed and crafted with the expertise that only decades of industry experience can bring.
Let Omori Diamonds Help You Find The Perfect Gold Jewellery For Your Style
Ready to find your forever gold? Simply book your complimentary design consultation with our goldsmith in Winnipeg to begin creating your dream ring!