10K vs 14K for a setting?

[SouthernGent]

For an planned setting for a stone I can save about $200 by having it set in 10K instead of 14K yellow gold. Will I be able to see a difference in color? I will be setting a medium blue stone and the setting itself is going to run between $800-$1,000 depending upon the gold content I choose. I can't tell much by looking at comparison pictures online so I thought I would ask the experts.

 

[chrono]

For me, yes, I can tell the difference between 10K (whiter) and 14k (yellower). There are also other things to consider. 10K is also less malleable. Since the ring will be something you plan to enjoy wearing time and again, pick the metal based on what you will love long term. Yes, there is a budget but there's also no point going cheap to save a few bucks if you end up not liking it as much over time.

Some stones look better or not as nice with different metal colours as well, which is another consideration.

 

[SouthernGent]

Being less malleable would be a good thing for an everyday wear ring, so I would only be disappointed if I could notice a difference in color.

 

[chrono]

Cons of 10K
10K will show tarnish more easily
10K is 41.7% gold only, so if you have allergies to nickel, it will usually be more apparent.

 

[T L]

I have some 10k gold pieces, and I find them to be very strong. I lose stones in 18k gold settings!

If you can get past the negatives that Chrono mentioned, and those are worth noting, then I think its acceptable to go with 10k.

I wear a 10k gold ring almost everyday. It’s rose gold so I don’t care about the “yellowness” of it, and I don’t have allergies. It’s holding up extraordinarily well, and the stone isn’t budging.

 

[bludiva]

Different jewelers use different alloys so may be worth asking to see the 10 & 14k they have and pick whichever looks better to your eyes I have 1 10k YG ring and it actually looks more coppery to me than my other YG pieces.

 

[sapphiremomma]

For an planned setting for a stone I can save about $200 by having it set in 10K instead of 14K yellow gold. Will I be able to see a difference in color? I will be setting a medium blue stone and the setting itself is going to run between $800-$1,000 depending upon the gold content I choose. I can't tell much by looking at comparison pictures online so I thought I would ask the experts.

I am not an expert by any means. I will say that I love to buy jewelry pre-loved. And if I see something in 10k gold my first instinct is to pass because I assume it probably isn’t a high quality piece. I know that isn’t always the case, especially after lurking on these forums for awhile.

I guess my point is, if you think you might sell it in the future, it might be better to go with 14k. Other people might have that same (not always correct) notion that 10k isn’t as good and they might rule it out.

 

[SouthernGent]

I am not an expert by any means. I will say that I love to buy jewelry pre-loved. And if I see something in 10k gold my first instinct is to pass because I assume it probably isn’t a high quality piece. I know that isn’t always the case, especially after lurking on these forums for awhile.

I guess my point is, if you think you might sell it in the future, it might be better to go with 14k. Other people might have that same (not always correct) notion that 10k isn’t as good and they might rule it out.

That is a very good point.

 

[Bron357]

It’s very difficult to tell the difference in colour between 10kt and 14kt unless you put them “side by side”.
Men’s rings are often 10kt gold because it’s harder, less likely to “scratch, dent or bend” because it is less malleable.

 

[T L]

I remember when Tiffany & Co sold a very low karat rose gold for big $$$$$. I think it was less than 10 kt. I’m not sure if they’re still selling it. It was a very pretty alloy, so it’s worth looking into different alloys if you can.

 

[PrecisionGem]

A friend from Kenya who I used to buy a lot of rough from, had all the stones he had set for his wife in 24 K gold. After seeing 24 K gold, it’s hard to like anything else. Such a rich color feel to it. If I ever owned a stone for my self, I would have it set in 24 K gold. Maybe some day I’ll have a stone!

 

[2Neesers]

A friend from Kenya who I used to buy a lot of rough from, had all the stones he had set for his wife in 24 K gold. After seeing 24 K gold, it’s hard to like anything else. Such a rich color feel to it. If I ever owned a stone for my self, I would have it set in 24 K gold. Maybe some day I’ll have a stone!

You don’t have a stone?!!!

 

[SouthernGent]

You don’t have a stone?!!!

LOL

 

[T L]

A friend from Kenya who I used to buy a lot of rough from, had all the stones he had set for his wife in 24 K gold. After seeing 24 K gold, it’s hard to like anything else. Such a rich color feel to it. If I ever owned a stone for my self, I would have it set in 24 K gold. Maybe some day I’ll have a stone!

I love 24k too, but when I would wear it, people thought it was some fake brassy metal, that is until they felt the heft of it. The problem is that here, in the United States, we’re too used to seeing “watered down” gold, lol!

 

[PrecisionGem]

Watered down gold and 1990’s pricing on gemstones. The price of quality gem rough has gone way up the past few years, and it seems that many buyers in the US are not willing to accept the current pricing.

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

@PrecisionGem

Of all people, Gene, you deserve a stone! What would it be?