18kt Yellow Gold vs 20/24kt Yellow Gold

[chrono]

I have lots of 20kt and 24kt yellow gold. I''ve recently purchased a few 18kt yellow gold jewelry. Common sense tells me that the purer the gold, the softer it is too, so why does my 18kt yellow gold have more scratches, nicks and dents than my 24kt pieces?

My 24kt jewelry just get a little out of shape but they retain the design/pattern and continue to sparkle. My 18kt yellow gold jewelry just looks scuffed and very worn.

What is going on? Is this because of the alloys? I have rings, earrings, pendants and more in 24kt gold (stamped on the jewelry so I know it''s real and pure) but they seem to retain more "sparkle" than my 18kt stuff.

 

[AGBF]

Wow...I am surprised no one but me responded to this. I opened this up expecting a long thread!

I don't know why your 18K is more easily damaged than your 22K and 24K, but I *will* say that I wanted to read about the topic of "pure" gold. I have agold charm bracelet, as does my daughter, and I would love to have some 22K or 24K charms put on them. I find the charms VERY hard to find, however.

Do any Americans buy 22K or 24K jewelry here in the U.S. or do most of you who own it buy it in Asia?

 

[Hest88]

I suspect that because 24K is so soft it dents and bends more easily than it scratches. So, if you knock it against something a much larger area caves in so you don't notice the damage as much. A scratch, though, on top of a hard surface, is much more noticable.

 

[chrono]

Phew! I finally have some answers. Thanks Hest.

AGBF, I buy all of my pure gold jewelry in Asia. Cheaper with the exchange rate, no taxes and huge selection. Plus, you can bargian the price down further than the stated price. Your alternative is to buy from the Asian stores in Chinatown. The selection is all right and the prices are so-so. I have seen many charms but their motifs/design may not fit your tastes.

 

[AGBF]

Well...here's a question for the professional jewelers. Do you know of anyone who makes Rembrant-style charms in 22K or 24K? I have managed to get a couple of charm manufacturers (although NOT Rembrant) to make charms, as a special order, in 18K. I don't know of any who work in 22K. Do you? What about this new outfit? Is it called Baron's?