Understanding gold karats is key if you’re interested in buying gold jewelry. Gold karats determine the purity of the gold, with most fine gold jewelry containing a minimum of 58% pure gold (also known as 14k gold.)

So when it comes to necklaces, which gold karat is best? In this helpful guide, we’re going to explain the gold karat system, and go over what to look for when buying a pure gold necklace.

THE KARAT SYSTEM: EXPLAINED

As mentioned in the introduction, the gold karat system determines the purity of any piece of gold jewelry. In general, fine jewelry refers to any gold jewelry that contains over 58% pure gold, referred to as 14k gold. From there, you can buy 18k gold, 22k gold, and 24k gold.

Any gold piece of jewelry under 100% pure gold will be alloyed with other metals. These metals can include copper, bronze, and steel, although some cheaper manufacturers might use other, less expensive (but more irritant-prone) metals such as nickel.

While you might think that a pure gold necklace is the best option for an authentic piece of fine gold jewelry, it’s not that simple. This is because gold is a soft metal; when it’s not alloyed with other, more durable metals, it can easily bend, damage, and become tarnished.

WHAT TO THINK ABOUT WHEN PICKING A GOLD NECKLACE

Aside from the gold’s karat, there are a number of things to think about when picking a gold necklace:

EVERYDAY WEAR OR MINIMAL WEAR

For some, gold jewelry isn’t part of their everyday wardrobe. Some people fear theft or loss when wearing their gold jewelry in public, while others fear damaging the delicate gold when going about their daily activities, especially if the gold is 100% 24k gold and easily damaged.

Before buying a gold necklace, make sure to think about whether you plan on wearing it every day or on a minimal, special-occasion basis. This can help you make a better decision when it comes to choosing a gold karat.

PENDANT OR NO PENDANT

Pendant gold necklaces are incredibly popular in the fine jewelry market, and often used as gifts both for children and adults alike. Adding a pendant to your gold necklace can help personalize the chain and give it sentimental value; you can add a gemstone pendant, a gold pendant, a crystal pendant, or even something whimsical and fun, like a birthstone pendant. Having a pendant on your necklace isn’t just an aesthetic choice, but will also play a role in choosing a gold karat. Pendants can often be slightly heavy, so if you’re opting for a pendant necklace, we’d recommend pairing it with a gold karat that is made with at least some alloyed metals, (aka under 24k.) This will prevent the necklace chain from being damaged by carrying the weight of the pendant.

WHAT’S THE BEST KARAT FOR A GOLD NECKLACE?

If you’re looking for an everyday necklace with the highest gold purity, we’d recommend opting for a 22k gold necklace. 22k gold represents the second highest gold purity in the fine jewelry market, made with around 91% pure gold and 9% alloyed metals.

The alloyed metals in a 22k gold necklace make it more durable, and more resistant to everyday wear and tear such as tarnishing. It’s almost impossible to wear a 24k gold necklace without damaging it in some way or another, especially if you live an active lifestyle and want to continue wearing your gold necklace during your day-to-day activities.

22k gold offers you the best of both worlds: the vibrant, eye-catching yellow-gold hue of pure gold, with a minimum of resistance and durability making it suitable for extended wear.

TAKING CARE OF A 22K GOLD NECKLACE

While 22k gold is definitely the best combination between gold purity and durability, you’ll still need to take good care of it: this means performing regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure that it remains in tip-top condition. After all, what’s pure gold without its signature shine?

You don’t need to buy specific gold cleaning agents to take care of a 22k gold necklace: simply use a mix of warm water and gentle dish soap and let it soak for 15 minutes, before giving it a delicate scrub with a baby toothbrush. Rinse, dry, and repeat every two weeks.