WHAT IS 14 KARAT GOLD?
14 karat gold is a well-known term, but what exactly does it mean? Pure gold is measured in 24 karats and is 99.99% gold. Just like pure silver, pure gold is very soft, making it less suitable for jewelry that is worn daily.
Adding other metals creates an alloy that is stronger, more durable, and easier to work with. The composition of this alloy also determines the final color of the gold. For 14 karat gold, the material is 58.5% pure gold, supplemented with other metals such as copper, silver, or palladium.
14 karat gold from Soek. Atelier
The gold jewelry from Soek. Atelier has a warm, soft gold hue. This warm glow comes from the fact that the gold is mixed with copper, among other metals. The warm copper tone pairs beautifully with the natural yellow color of gold, creating a timeless and distinctive look.
WHY CHOOSE 14 KARAT GOLD
There are many different types of gold, karat purities and production methods. This can make choosing quite tricky at times. That’s why I’m listing the key benefits of 14 karat gold for you.
14 karat gold strikes a lovely balance between luxury, durability and wearability. It’s more affordable than 18 or 22 karat gold, while still containing a high percentage of pure gold.
On top of that, 14 karat gold is strong and resistant to wear. Because it’s harder than gold with a higher karat purity, it’s less prone to scratches, wear and deformation. This is a major advantage especially for rings and bracelets, which get a lot of daily use.
The jewellery from Soek. Atelier is fully crafted from 14 karat gold. The warm gold colour runs through the entire material and won’t wear away, unlike with gold-plated jewellery, which can lose its finish over time.
What’s more, gold holds its value and is a material that can last for generations. A 14 karat gold jewellery piece is therefore not just a beautiful purchase for right now, but also a timeless possession that can be enjoyed for years to come.
GOLD-PLATED GOLD OR 14 KARAT GOLD?
Gold-plated jewelry is often attractively priced and therefore a popular choice. Still, it’s wise to look beyond just the purchase price.
A gold-plated piece of jewelry usually consists of a base metal, such as brass, copper, steel, or silver, with a thin layer of gold applied over top. Although this has the same warm golden appearance as solid gold, this layer can wear away over time. How quickly this happens depends on the thickness of the gold plating and how often the jewelry is worn.
When the gold layer wears away, the underlying metal becomes visible and the jewelry can lose its original appearance. As a result, gold-plated jewelry is often less durable in the long run.
That’s why Soek. atelier chooses to make gold jewelry from solid 14-karat gold. The warm gold color runs throughout the entire material and cannot wear away. This means the jewelry will stay beautiful for years and often becomes a piece of jewelry for life.
Sustainability plays an important role here. The longer a piece of jewelry stays beautiful, the less often it needs to be replaced. This way, you not only choose quality, but also a more conscious way of consuming.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR GOLD JEWELRY LOOKING BEAUTIFUL
With proper care, you can enjoy the warm luster of your gold jewelry for years. Although 14 karat gold is a strong, durable material, it remains sensitive to external influences.
To keep your jewelry looking its best, it’s wise to avoid contact with chemicals. This includes perfume, hairspray, body lotion, and cleaning products. You should also remove your jewelry when showering, swimming, or using a sauna, as it can unknowingly come into contact with substances that affect the gold’s luster.
Additionally, it’s recommended to remove your jewelry before sleeping and exercising. Many people don’t know that gold can react to the acidity of the skin. This varies from person to person and can also change due to factors like physical exertion or perspiration. Prolonged skin contact or heavy sweating can cause jewelry to discolor faster.
With a few simple habits, your gold jewelry will stay beautiful for years and retain its natural luster.
WHAT IF YOU DYE JEWELRY?
Under the right conditions and with proper care, gold jewelry maintains its beautiful appearance for years. Still, it’s common for pieces to become slightly dull or develop minor discoloration over time. This is completely normal and part of the material’s inherent properties.
Fortunately, this tarnish can be easily removed with a polishing cloth or a special jewelry cleaning dip, restoring the original shine.
To keep your jewelry looking its best for as long as possible, it’s best to store it in a closed jewelry box in a dry spot away from direct sunlight.
With a little care and attention, your handcrafted jewelry will remain a valuable possession to enjoy wearing for years to come.
CAN I BE ALLERGIC TO GOLD?
14 karat gold is an alloy, or a mixture of different metals. It is 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% other metals. For the jewelry from Soek. Atelier, pure gold is combined with copper among other materials.
Copper is added to make gold stronger, more durable, and more resistant to wear. Pure gold is very soft, making it less suitable for jewelry that is worn every day. Thanks to this alloy, gold jewelry holds its shape better and lasts for years.
An allergy to copper is extremely rare. The most common metal allergy is a nickel allergy. Since I do not use nickel in my jewelry, the risk of an allergic reaction is very low.