K
Karat
Karat is a measure of the purity of gold, indicating the proportion of gold in a piece of jewelry compared to other metals. Pure gold is 24K, but it is too soft for everyday wear, so it is often alloyed with metals like copper or silver. Common karat levels include 18K (75% gold) and 14K (58.3% gold), both of which offer durability and beauty. The higher the karat, the richer the gold's color and value.