Jewellery Guide
14 Karat or 18 Karat? Choosing the Gold for a Diamond Ring
14 karat is harder and more durable; 18 karat has a higher gold content and a warmer tone. We explain the difference between the two for a diamond ring and which one suits you.
3 min readUpdated: October 7, 2026
Short answer: 14 karat gold is 58.5% pure gold, and 18 karat is 75%. 14 karat is harder and more scratch-resistant; 18 karat has a higher gold content, a deeper tone in yellow and rose, and costs more. For a diamond ring, especially solitaires and wedding bands worn every day, the durability of 14 karat is an advantage; 18 karat is the choice of those who want a more precious metal and a warmer colour.
What does karat mean?
Karat shows the purity of gold. Pure gold is 24 karat, but it is too soft for jewellery, so it is alloyed with silver, copper and other metals. The proportion of pure gold in the alloy sets the karat. Inside the piece there is a hallmark that shows this proportion.
| Carat | Pure gold content | Hallmark |
|---|---|---|
| 14 carat | 58.5% | 585 |
| 18 carat | 75% | 750 |
| 22 carat | 91.6% | 916 |
| 24 carat | 99.9% | 999 |
Carat and karat are often confused: carat is the weight of a stone, karat is the purity of gold. What is a carat?
14 karat versus 18 karat
| 14 carat | 18 carat | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | Harder, scratch-resistant | Softer |
| Prong durability | The prongs holding the stone are more durable | Can wear faster |
| Colour (yellow and rose) | A little lighter | Deeper and warmer |
| Weight | A little lighter | A little heavier in the same design |
| Price | More affordable | Higher |
| Sensitive skin | More alloy metal | Less alloy metal |
Which for a diamond ring?
- A solitaire or wedding band worn every day: 14 karat; the prongs and band are more durable and more scratch-resistant.
- If you want a warm, deep yellow or rose colour: 18 karat; its colour is richer.
- Sensitive skin: with its higher gold content, 18 karat can cause less reaction for some people.
- White gold: because its colour comes from rhodium plating, the colour difference between the two karats is hardly visible. What is rhodium plating?
Is 22 karat used for diamond rings?
22 karat gold is very soft; the prongs holding the stone can bend easily and the stone is not safe. That is why 14 or 18 karat is usually preferred for setting diamonds. With the 22 karat stone-set rings seen on the market, always ask whether the stone used is a diamond. Cubic zirconia versus diamond.
Look at the hallmark: the 585 or 750 stamp inside the ring shows the karat. Check the hallmark when you buy, and ask for the karat to be written on the invoice too.
Effect on price
In the same design, 18 karat costs more than 14 karat because it contains more pure gold. In a diamond ring, the stone makes up most of the price, so the karat difference affects the total less than the stone does; but with wide wedding bands and heavy designs the difference becomes noticeable. Wedding band prices · solitaire ring prices.
Frequently asked questions
14 karat gold is 58.5% pure gold; its hallmark is 585. 14 karat for durability; 18 karat for a higher gold content and a deeper colour. For diamond rings worn every day, 14 karat is often chosen. Gold does not tarnish. Because 14 karat contains more alloy metal, a slight dullness can appear on the surface over a very long time; polishing removes it. Usually not. Because 22 karat gold is very soft, it cannot hold a diamond securely; diamond rings are made in 14 or 18 karat.What percentage of 14 karat gold is gold?
Is 18 karat or 14 karat better?
Does 14 karat gold tarnish?
Can a diamond ring be 22 karat?
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