At Human Design Studios we hope to not only deliver uniquely artful fine jewelry but also serve as a reliable resource of information for our clients. We are always listening to our customers and want to bring value to their questions and inquiries about our product. One of the most common questions we receive is regarding the varying values of gold. Knowledge is power, especially when purchasing precious materials. If you are purchasing gold at any capacity, whether from us or elsewhere, it is important to have an understanding of why and what you are paying for.

Understanding the Value

On our website, you can find the gold clarity chart. The first column of the chart shows the karat of gold. At the top, the purest form of gold is listed at 24-karat gold and it goes all the way down to six karat. The second column displays the formula used to determine the percentage of gold (third column) for each karat. The lower the karat, the more other metal materials are mixed in, which consequently impacts the durability, color, and value.

The Breakdown

With 24-karat gold being the purest form at 100% gold, we can use that number to divide the other karats by. 

For example, as you move to 18 karat gold you can divide 18 by 24 (as 24 sets the standard for 100) to find the purity percentage. With this example, you can easily determine that 18-karat gold is 75% gold and, therefore, 25% other metals.

In the Wild

While shopping with us or any other gold provider, every piece of gold should be stamped with its value. You may find the stamp on a clasp, on the inside of a ring, on the back of the pendant, or anywhere else it can be discreetly displayed. The stamp will appear as something like, “AU750”. The “AU” stands for the element (gold) and the “750” stands for the percentage of gold, which corresponds to its karat. For this example, the AU750 would represent that it is an 18-karat gold piece.

How to Choose the best gold for you

So why does all of this matter? It matters so you know the value of the gold you are purchasing. We often suggest a little practice for clients to practice evaluating gold by going into their own jewelry case and looking at the stamps on each piece. If you are new to your personal gold collection, you can explore your mom and grandma’s jewelry. Examine the appearance compared to the value displayed with the stamp. When purchasing your own pieces, you’ll want to decide on the purity of gold based on varying factors. You may be purchasing the piece as an investment or as an heirloom to be passed down for generations. 

In this case, you’ll want to opt for the 24k gold. On the other hand, think about your lifestyle and budget. Although the value goes down in cost as the purity decreases, you can still find perfectly sufficient durability and appearance in lower purity levels. 

If you are still unsure of what karat of gold is right for you, feel free to book a consultation and we can discuss what your needs and interests are. We love building customer profiles for our recurring customers so you can refer to your sizes and preferences for future orders.