Most people choose their metal based on what they like the look of.
That is a fine place to start. But understanding what each metal actually does changes the decision - sometimes significantly.
HEIREST offers four: 9 karat gold, 14 karat gold, 18 karat gold, and platinum. All nickel-free. Beyond that, they differ in meaningful ways.
Gold purity and what it means
Pure gold is too soft to wear. 24 karat gold would scratch, dent, and deform with daily use. Every wearable gold alloy mixes pure gold with other metals - typically silver, copper, and zinc - to add durability.
The karat number tells you the proportion of pure gold in that mix.
- 9 karat: 37.5% pure gold. The highest alloy content, making it the hardest and most scratch-resistant. If your piece will face daily exposure to water, the gym, or rough use, 9k is the most practical choice. The colour is slightly warmer and less saturated than higher karats.
- 14 karat: 58.5% pure gold. The balance point between purity, durability, and colour depth - which is why it is the most popular choice worldwide. Richer than 9k, harder than 18k. Strong across daily wear.
- 18 karat: 75% pure gold. The international standard for fine jewellery. Higher gold content means deeper colour and greater malleability. Prongs in 18k flex rather than fracture, hold their grip over time, and are easier for jewellers to work with. For a piece designed to last decades, 18k is the better long-term decision.
Platinum
Platinum is a different category entirely. Not an alloy of gold - a separate precious metal, naturally white, denser than gold, and among the rarest metals on earth.
Its colour comes from the metal itself, not a surface treatment, which means it stays white permanently. It develops a soft patina with wear that can always be repolished. The heaviest and most substantial of the four.
How to choose
For everyday wear and active lifestyles: 9k or 14k. For fine jewellery, engagement rings, pieces intended for a lifetime: 18k. For those who want a naturally white metal with permanent colour and maximum substance: platinum.
At HEIREST, you see exactly what each decision costs as you make it.
