Why Is 14k Gold More Popular Than 18k Or 24k For Piercing Jewelry?

When it comes to buying piercing jewelry, in addition to the style, consumers are most concerned about the material. However, gold has always been very popular in jewelry. It looks luxurious and its stable nature makes it hypoallergenic. But you will find that people usually recommend 14k gold instead of 18k or pure gold in pierced jewelry. Why is this? If you have the same question, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will tell you why 14k gold pierced jewelry is the first choice for most people.

What is 14k gold?

Before we find out why, we need to understand the composition of 14k gold. "K" stands for carat, which is a unit of measurement for the purity of gold. 14k, 18k and 24k represent different purities, with 24k gold considered pure gold. Unfortunately, pure gold is too soft for many uses and its strength cannot meet the standards, so there are gold alloys, which are often alloyed with other metals such as copper, silver or nickel to increase strength.

• 14k gold contains 58.3% pure gold, with the remainder made up of these alloy metals.
• 18k gold contains 75% pure gold.
• 24k gold is the closest thing to 100% pure gold.

While pure gold may look luxurious, it is not as practical as 14k gold for items such as jewelry that need to withstand daily wear and tear.

14k gold is stronger and more durable

When buying body jewelry, durability is a factor that many people consider. So they need not only exquisite style, but also sufficient strength to cope with the wear and tear from daily wear. In this regard, 14k gold is much stronger than other purities . Of course, 10k gold is stronger, but its color is lighter and may cause allergies, so it is generally not used as piercing jewelry.

In contrast:

10k gold is harder and durable but can cause allergies.

18k gold is slightly softer than 14k gold, and while it is still durable, it is also more susceptible to bending or scratching over time.

24k gold is almost pure gold and is the softest of them all . It can be scratched or dented very easily.

Therefore, taking all factors into consideration, 14k gold strikes a perfect balance between durability and practicality, so it is more popular.

14k gold is hypoallergenic

One of the most common problems with body piercings is inflammation or infection at the piercing site due to allergic reactions . Gold is one of the most stable metals and hardly reacts with other substances, so it has very low allergenicity. Although in theory, the higher the purity of gold, the lower its allergenicity, 14k gold can also meet the standard and at a lower price. This makes 14k gold a safe and comfortable choice for people with sensitive skin.

Optional appearance

It is well known that the higher the purity of gold, the brighter the yellow color. No one likes the same color and style in jewelry. This is why many people choose 14k gold.

14k gold will present different color appearances according to different alloy ratios, including the following:

• Yellow 14k gold : It is usually made by alloying pure gold with silver and copper, which makes it stronger while retaining its yellow gold color.
• White 14k gold: The white and silver appearance is achieved by alloying gold with metals such as platinum, silver or palladium. It is often subjected to a process called "rhodium plating" to enhance its luster and durability.
• Rose Gold 14k Gold: Made by mixing gold with copper and silver in certain proportions, the copper gives the metal a warm pink or red hue. This has been a very popular hue in recent years.
• Green 14k gold: This is a relatively rare color, which is usually made by alloying gold with silver. Due to the high silver content, green 14k gold has a soft green hue and looks very unique.

Conclusion

14k gold is a popular choice for its durability, hypoallergenic properties, affordability, and variety of finishes. So the next time you're looking for body piercing jewelry, consider 14k gold. Whether you're buying a new nose ring, belly button ring, or earrings, 14k gold is the right choice.