The Most Accurate Guide to Distinguishing Types of Gold on the Market

Gold is a precious rare metal that not only has high economic value but is also widely used in crafting high-end jewelry such as gold diamond rings, gold diamond earrings, gold necklaces set with diamonds or gold bracelets set with diamonds. However, not all types of gold are the same. Each type of gold has its own distinct characteristics, suitable for different purposes. Let Jemmia Diamond help you learn more in the article below. 

What is gold?

Gold is a rare chemical element with the chemical symbol Au and atomic number 79. With its characteristic yellow color, high durability, and excellent corrosion resistance, gold has long been considered one of the most valuable precious metals. These outstanding properties have made gold an asset for storing value or used as the setting for women's 18K gold diamond rings or luxurious gold jewelry set with diamonds.

Types of gold on the market today

Today’s gold market is extremely diverse, with many different types of gold designed to meet every consumer need. So how many types of gold are there in total? Below are the most common types of gold on the market today: 

Ta gold/9999 gold/24K gold

Ta gold, also known as 24K gold or 9999 gold, is a type of gold with very high purity of up to 99.99%, with impurities accounting for only 0.01%. Because of this, ta gold is the type of gold with the highest value among all types of gold. 

Ta gold has several notable characteristics that help you distinguish it from other types of gold, such as: 

• Usually cast into pieces or bars and kept as a long-term stored asset.
• Ta gold has a characteristic metallic yellow color that does not fade.
• It is soft, making it difficult to process into jewelry.
• Because it is rarely crafted into jewelry, the designs of this type of gold are quite simple.
• Retains stable value and is unlikely to depreciate.
• High durability, less prone to oxidation and wear. 

999 gold

999 gold and ta gold (99.99%) have many similarities in properties and value. However, 999 gold has a slightly lower pure gold content than ta gold. 999 gold contains 99.9% pure gold, has a characteristic bright yellow color, good durability, and high oxidation resistance. Therefore, 999 gold is mainly used for investment and savings.

Some notable characteristics of 999 gold help you easily distinguish it from other types of gold: 

• Similar to ta gold, 999 gold is often cast into bars or pieces for long-term storage. 
• Characteristic gold color, hard to fade.
• Highly durable, less prone to oxidation.
• Has stable value over time.

White gold/10K, 14K, 18K white gold

White gold is still gold, but it is not natural gold. It is a precious alloy created by combining pure gold (usually 24K gold) with other precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and nickel. During metallurgical processing, the yellow color of gold is replaced with a white-colored precious metal layer, hence the name white gold. 

Besides its characteristic white color, white gold also has high hardness and durability, overcoming the softness of pure gold. Therefore, this type of gold is commonly used in jewelry making, creating expensive and luxurious jewelry designs.

How many types of gold are there? White gold comes in many different types, distinguished by gold content measured in karats. Specifically: 

• 10K white gold with 41.67% gold content.
• 14K white gold with 58.33% gold content.
• 18K white gold with 75% gold content.

Rose gold/10K, 14K, 18K rose gold

Rose gold is an alloy created from a mixture of pure gold and copper. This combination creates a gentle, sweet, luxurious pink-gold hue, helping diversify jewelry styles and designs. 

Rose gold also comes in different types such as 10K, 14K, and 18K rose gold, each with its own pure gold content, specifically: 

• 10K rose gold contains 41.67% gold.
• 14K rose gold contains 58.33% gold.
• 18K rose gold contains 75% gold.

Western gold/10K, 14K, 18K Western gold

Western gold is a precious alloy created by combining pure gold with other alloys such as copper, silver, and nickel. Western gold also includes different types such as 10K, 14K, and 18K based on pure gold content: 

• The gold content of 10K Western gold is 41.67%.
• The gold content of 14K Western gold is 58.33%.
• The gold content of 18K Western gold is 75%.

Distinctive characteristics of Western gold: 

• Western gold has high hardness, so it is often used in jewelry making with highly aesthetic designs.
• Western gold comes in many different colors depending on which metal is mixed with the gold. 
• Western gold easily tarnishes over time, so you need to take it to a store to have it polished again.

Italian gold

Italian gold is a type of gold originating from Italy. Italian gold has a luxurious silvery-white color thanks to the combination of a high pure silver content with other metals. Italian gold jewelry is very popular thanks to its diverse designs combined with a bright, refined silvery-white shine and affordable selling price, meeting the needs of many customer groups.

What types of Italian gold are there? Currently, there are 2 types of Italian gold on the market: Italian gold 750 and Italian gold 925, in which: 

• Italian gold 750 (more common): Contains 75% pure silver and 25% precious metals. This type is suitable for jewelry making thanks to its good hardness.
• Italian gold 925: Contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% precious metals. This type of gold is soft, so it is often not used in jewelry making because it is difficult to work with.

Low-karat gold

Low-karat gold is gold with a very low pure gold content, making it unsuitable for storing wealth. This type of gold is often difficult to determine the exact gold content, so its true value is also not guaranteed. This type of gold has some easily recognizable characteristics as follows: 

• Low gold quality, cheap price.
• Diverse designs and bright colors, but it easily tarnishes over time.
• Easy to counterfeit.
• Very low resale rate.

Gold-plated imitation jewelry gold

Gold-plated imitation jewelry gold, also known as two-layer gold, is made of a layer of real gold (18K or 24K) covering the outside, while the inner core is low-karat gold or a cheap alloy. Because of this special structure, distinguishing imitation jewelry gold from real gold becomes more difficult, posing the risk of buying products that are not worth their value. 

In addition to having two layers, gold-plated imitation jewelry gold also has some distinctive characteristics such as: 

• Exquisitely crafted and attractive like real gold.
• Easily tarnishes after a period of use.
• Low cost, meeting the needs of many users.
• Very difficult to resell.

Symbols of gold types

Types of gold have many symbols, and each symbol represents different information. Below are some common symbols for gold types.

Gold symbols

Below is an information table of common gold symbols today: 

Symbols according to regulations: 

For products with a gold coating over another metal base or other material, if the pure gold content accounts for 1/40 of the mass or more, the gold ratio must be clearly stated on the packaging. The accompanying symbols are usually G.P or G.F, followed by the gold purity (for example: 1/40 G.P 24K, 1/20 G.F 18K).

Symbols by gold content: 

In addition to other information, the surface of gold rings and other gold products also has symbols showing the pure gold content. This symbol helps consumers easily identify the karat of the gold, thereby evaluating the product’s value and quality. Specifically as follows: 

Symbols for logo and business name

In addition to mandatory information, engraving logos and brand names on products has become a standard for many businesses. This helps customers easily distinguish genuine products, protects consumer rights, and at the same time affirms the brand’s position in the market. As a result, customers have better shopping experiences and businesses also strengthen customer trust.

Through the article above, Jemmia Diamond has helped you discover the diversity of gold types. From ta gold/9999 to gold alloys such as 18K and 14K, each type has its own characteristics in color, hardness, and durability. Whether used for jewelry making, investment, or as a gift, gold always holds a special place in everyone’s heart.