Gold is a metal that has held its value for thousands of years and has a special place in every culture. Today, gold jewelry is part of both everyday elegance and valuable savings. In this guide we have gathered what you need to know about karat, color and design when choosing gold jewelry.

What Is Karat?

Karat expresses the proportion of pure gold in a gold alloy. Pure gold (24k) is too soft for jewelry, so it is alloyed with metals such as silver, copper and zinc to make it durable.

  • 14k (585): Contains 585 parts per thousand pure gold. It is durable and scratch-resistant, and it is the most popular karat for diamond jewelry and daily wear.
  • 18k (750): Contains 750 parts per thousand pure gold. Its color is richer and its value higher, but it is slightly softer than 14k.
  • 22k (916): Usually used for bangles and investment pieces; too soft for stone-set jewelry.

Gold Colors

Yellow Gold

Classic and timeless. Creates a warm, bright look on olive and darker skin.

White Gold

Made by alloying gold with white metals such as palladium or nickel, and usually rhodium-plated. It offers a modern look and makes diamonds appear whiter.

Rose Gold

Gets its pink tone from the copper in the alloy. Romantic and modern; looks very delicate on fair skin.

Types of Gold Jewelry

The Law Pırlanta gold collection consists of four main groups: gold rings, gold necklaces, gold earrings and gold bracelets. Enamel, evil eye, clover, star and heart designs are among the collection's standout pieces.

Caring for Gold Jewelry

  • Clean your gold jewelry with warm water and a few drops of dish soap, using a soft brush.
  • Chlorine (pools, bleach) can damage gold alloys; take your jewelry off before swimming in pools or the sea.
  • The rhodium plating on white gold can wear over time; re-plating every few years restores its original shine.
  • Avoid abrasive cleaners on enameled jewelry.
  • Store your jewelry in separate compartments so the pieces do not rub against each other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 14k gold tarnish?

Because of the other metals in its alloy, 14k gold may show slight dulling over a very long time. Regular cleaning and professional polishing restore its original shine.

Why does white gold turn yellow?

The bright white color of white gold comes largely from rhodium plating. When the plating wears over time, the gold's natural slightly yellowish tone becomes visible; re-plating with rhodium solves this.

Can gold jewelry cause allergies?

Pure gold is not allergenic. In rare cases, some metals in the alloy can cause sensitivity; the risk is lower with higher-karat gold.

For designs where gold meets diamonds, also browse the diamond rings category. To see all gold designs, visit the Law Pırlanta gold jewelry collection.