14K Gold: The Complete Guide

What is 14K Gold?

Represented by the chemical symbol Au and atomic number 79, gold is a naturally occurring element. As the most malleable of all metals, gold makes for an ideal material when creating fine jewelry. 14K gold is a mixture consisting primarily of gold, blended with durable metals such as zinc, nickel and copper along with a rhodium plating. Gold by itself is relatively soft, so the alloy metals strengthen the composition. 14 Karat specifically refers to the metal mix that is 58.3% gold.

Due to its high durability and relatively low cost, 14 Karat gold is used for engagement rings, eternity bands, pendants, earrings and other fine jewelry pieces. Its is estimated that 90% of engagement and wedding rings sold are made from 14K gold.

Gold jewelry can be identified by a “hallmark stamp”. In The United States gold will be stamped with it’s karatage such as 14K or 14Kt.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:

Gold pricing calculator
Is 14K gold real?
How to identify 14K gold?
14K gold purity
What is 14K white gold?
What is 14K yellow gold?
What is 14K rose gold?
How much does a 14K diamond ring cost?
When to buy a 14K gold diamond ring?
Popular 14K gold jewelry
FAQs

Bottom Line Recommendation

Despite being the more affordable option, 14K gold looks every bit as classy as any of the other metals. One of our readers put this $20,000 diamond into a 14K white gold setting from James Allen and it looked absolutely stunning.

14K gold is an excellent choice for an engagement ring or any other piece of fine jewelry. As a beautiful and durable metal, 14K gold is also reasonably priced. The color of gold you decide on should primarily be based on personal preference, skin tone and current fashion. Consider a yellow gold setting like this pave engagement ring from James Allen, this solitaire rose gold setting from James Allen or this white gold halo setting like this from James Allen. For assistance in selecting a stunning setting or diamond, be sure to contact our experts.

Is 14K Gold Real?

Yes. 14K gold is definitely real gold. Contrary to popular belief, almost no jewelry (and certainly no engagement rings, earrings or other pieces that are worn frequently) are made using 100% pure, 24K gold.

The reason for this is simple: pure, 24K gold is extremely soft, making it easy to scratch, warp and bend. We’ve explained this in greater detail below, along with why 14K gold is usually the best type of gold for an engagement ring.

How to Identify 14K Gold

If you’re shopping for an engagement ring or other gold jewelry online or in a store, identifying a piece that’s made using 14K gold is easy — just look at the item’s description or tag. 

Outside of a store environment, there are several ways to identify a ring or other piece of jewelry as being made from 14K gold. The easiest way is to look for a stamp that lists the piece’s metal mixture. 

The stamp applied to a piece of gold jewelry is called a “hallmark.” Hallmark laws date back to the 13th century and were used historically to protect gold buyers before wide-scale gold purity testing became available. 

Gold stamps can vary from country to country. In the US, gold jewelry doesn’t need to have a stamp indicating its purity in order to be legally sold — instead, the item’s karatage needs to be marked somewhere close to the piece, such as its packaging.

However, most high quality 14K gold rings and other items are still stamped for purity using a variety of different hallmarks. 

Below, we’ve listed some of the most common 14K gold stamps, along with additional information on what each stamp means:

• 14K or 14Kt. As you might expect, these stamps stand for “14 karat.” Some manufacturers stamp their gold with “K,” while others use “Kt” but both means the same thing. 14K is one of the most common stamps used to indicate that an engagement ring, wedding band or other gold jewelry is made from 14K gold.
• 14K with a certain country. Some countries have product labeling laws that require a  country of origin to be stamped onto jewelry for export. Some gold products could also be stamped with a specific city, region or assay office’s hallmark.
• 14K with a company logo. Like the plain 14K stamp, this simply means that the piece is made from 14K gold.
• 14K P. This stamp stands for “14 karat plumb gold.” In this case, “plumb” has a meaning similar to “complete.” This stamp means that the piece contains at least 14K of pure gold per 24 parts, no less.
• 14K 585, or simply “585.” This stamp refers to the amount of gold in the alloy per 1,000 units. 14K gold contains 58.3% pure gold, or 583 grams per thousand, and as such uses a “585” stamp to show its purity.

If you’ve been doing the math in your head for that last example, you might have noticed that it doesn’t make a lot of sense. After all, if 14K gold is 58.3% pure gold, shouldn’t it be use a “583” stamp instead of a “585” one? 

The reason for the 585 stamp is that many manufacturers produce their 14K gold to be slightly purer than the 14 out of 24 parts standard. This is a popular European practice that’s followed by many producers of gold jewelry, thus the “585” stamp.

You might also see a “583” stamp used to mark some gold jewelry. Just like the “585” stamp, a “583” stamp means that a ring, watch or other piece of jewelry is made using 14K gold. 

The price of gold jewelry stamped 585 or 583 is identical to that of gold stamped with 14K or a similar marking — there’s no difference in price, value or purity. 

It’s important to know that there are other common gold stamps that include the term “14K” which may not indicate a piece is made from 14K gold. These include the following:

• 14K GP. The “GP” in this stamp stands for “gold plated.” It means that the jewelry has a plated layer of 14K gold, but isn’t solid gold.
• 14K GEP or 14K GE. The “GE” or “GEP” in this stamp stands for “gold electroplated.” It indicates that the jewelry is plated with 14K gold via electroplating — a process in which a thin layer of 14K gold is applied to the base metal using an electric current.
• 14K GF. The “GF” in this stamp stands for “gold-filled.” This means that an outer layer of gold is wrapped around a base metal to give the piece a gold exterior. Like 14K GP, 14K GEP or 14K GE, this stamp indicates that a ring is not solid 14K gold. 

As we mentioned above, not all countries require manufacturers of gold jewelry to stamp their products. As such, if a piece of gold jewelry isn’t stamped, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it isn’t 14K gold (or 10K, 18K or any other common gold purity level). 

It’s also important to be aware that some gold jewelry can be stamped using a dishonest purity hallmark. For example, some unscrupulous jewelry manufacturers might stamp a piece with a “14K” hallmark, even if the piece is only gold plated.

This is only common in countries without strict hallmarking laws, or in less reputable markets for jewelry. In general, you’ll only need to worry about this if you buy gold jewelry second hand, or if you shop in an unregulated environment (for example, a yard sale or street market).

14K Gold Purity

Because pure gold is too soft to be worn every day, it is essential to create a metal mixture when using gold for jewelry. 14K gold is an alloy composition made of gold and durable metals like zinc, nickel, silver and copper along with a rhodium plating. This sturdy blend is resistant to corrosion, rust and tarnish.

Karatage, which is expressed in 24ths and designated by a number followed by “k,” denotes the purity level of the gold. 24K gold, for example, is 100% gold. 18K gold is 75% gold and 14K gold is 58.3% gold.

Although a higher karat indicates a purer gold content, it also means a less durable metal. For this reason, 14K or 18K golds are usually used for engagement and wedding rings.

Color

When selecting a 14K gold setting, you’ll notice three options: white gold, rose gold and yellow gold. While similar, each color differs in composition. The type of metal alloys used and percentage of each metal indicates what color the gold is.

Selecting the color of gold for your engagement ring or jewelry should be based primarily on personal preference, although composition and price may play a small role in your decision. For example, we recommended a white gold setting to one of our readers. They ended up going with this rose gold pave setting and a two carat diamond from James Allen and, as you can see, they made an excellent choice.

14K White Gold

White gold is a mixture of pure gold and white metals like silver, nickel and palladium, usually with a rhodium coating. 14K white gold is a good choice of metal that looks particularly stylish on people with rosy or fair skin.

Advantages of 14K white gold:

• Currently more popular than yellow gold
• More affordable than platinum (but offers a similar color)
• Mixed with stronger metals than a yellow gold alloy, making it more durable and scratch-resistant
• Complements white diamonds better than yellow gold (according to some vendors and buyers)
• Complements rosy or fair skin tones

Disadvantages of 14K white gold:

• Requires dipping every few years to retain its color and luster, and to replace its rhodium plating. This maintenance process, though, is inexpensive and many jewelers offer it as a free service.
• Usually has nickel in the mixture, causing allergic reactions for some wearers. White gold is not hypoallergenic unless mixed with alloys other than nickel.

14K White Gold Price

The different colors of 14K gold (white, yellow and rose) don’t differ significantly in price. Despite looking similar to more expensive metals such as platinum, 14K white gold is quite an affordable metal that generally offers very good value for money. 

We’ve explained the price of 14K white gold in more detail further down the page in our section on 14K gold pricing. In general, you shouldn’t need to pay any more for an engagement ring in 14K white gold than in any other gold color of equivalent karatage.

I’m really happy with the guidance I’ve got from Veronika from The Diamond Pro. Without her I haven’t bought a diamond this big, bright and shiny just because I didn’t had the knowledge. Because of her advise I bought the best value for money diamond. Really happy with her advise!

…see more

Niels B.

Dec 1, 2022

Received great in-depth assistance from Veronika on my quest to buy an engagement ring for my partner. It can be quite a minefield for someone without industry know-how to get a great, well-cut diamond on the online marketplace, so the second opinion was not only welcome but desperately sought. In the end, I received wonderful advice and am confident the diamond purchased was the best my budget could afford! Thank you

…see more

Arthur

Jan 27, 2023

14K Yellow Gold

Yellow gold is formed of pure gold and alloy metals like zinc and copper.

Advantages of 14K yellow gold:

• It’s the most hypoallergenic of the three gold types
• Historically the most popular metal for wedding and engagement bands
• Works well for vintage style settings
• Represents the purest color of all gold types
• Is the easiest gold color to maintain over time
• Is the most malleable and easiest for jewelers to manipulate
• Complements olive and darker skin tones
• Matches easily with a lower color grading in diamonds

Disadvantages of 14K yellow gold:

• Must be polished and cleaned regularly to maintain its beauty
• Is subject to scratches and dents

14K Rose Gold

Rose gold refers to and encompasses the whole family of red, rose and pink shades of gold. With these colors, pure gold is alloyed with copper to produce the rose color. The more copper present in the mixture, the redder the gold appears. Similar to white gold, “pure rose gold” doesn’t exist—it is always an alloy. Jenni Farley wears her engagement ring in rose gold proudly and we all love it!

Advantages of 14K rose gold:

• In style for both men’s and women’s rings
• Considered to be the most romantic metal due to its pinkish-red hue
• Usually more affordable than other metals because copper costs less than other alloys
• Very durable due to copper’s strength (rose gold is slightly tougher than white or yellow gold)
• Complements all skin tones

Disadvantages of 14K rose gold:

• Is not a hypoallergenic metal, which can cause allergic reactions for some wearers
• Not as widely available as white or yellow gold, even though it’s in style

How Much Does a 14K Diamond Ring Cost?

In general, the price of a 14K engagement ring setting can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the type of setting you choose. Solitaire settings in 14K gold tend to be the most affordable, while more ornate settings can be significantly more costly.

Not sure how much you should set aside for a 14K gold engagement ring? 14K gold is the most popular choice of engagement ring metal, largely due to the fact that it offers a similar look and superior durability to 18K gold at a lower price. 

We’ve explained this in more detail below, with several examples of 14K gold diamond rings to give you a full idea of how much you should spend on a setting. 

The price of a diamond ring can vary tremendously based on two factors. The first is the type of metal that you choose (for example, 14K gold) for the setting. The second is the size and quality of the diamond you choose to set in the ring.

We’ve covered diamond prices in our price article, so let’s look at the amount you’ll spend for the setting.

When looking at the price of 14K gold, it’s often helpful to compare it to other fine metal types: platinum and 18K gold.

Generally speaking, 14K gold will be less expensive than both of these options, as it contains a lower percentage of gold relative to its other alloy metals. It will also be considerably cheaper than a platinum setting. 

For example, the platinum setting for this solitaire ring from Blue Nile costs $990. A similar 18K white gold setting, like this one from Blue Nile, costs $740, while this similar 14K gold setting from Blue Nile only costs $410. 14K gold offers durability and beauty while being the most affordable of fine jewelry metals.

The price of 14K gold doesn’t change much when it comes to color. For instance, this white gold solitaire setting from Brian Gavin costs $440, a similar ring in yellow gold from Blue Nile costs $410 and a similar setting in rose gold from James Allen is priced at $420.

Overall, you should expect to spend about 20-35% less for a 14K gold solitaire engagement ring setting than you would for a similar setting in 18K gold. 

For a pavé, halo or side stone ring, there’s generally a smaller difference in pricing between 14K and 18K gold. This is because the gold used to make the ring accounts for a smaller percentage of its price, with the side, halo or pavé diamonds accounting for more.

For example, this 14K white gold petite pavé engagement ring from James Allen costs $960. The same ring made from 18K white gold from James Allen costs $1,150, making the 14K ring barely 16% cheaper.

For settings with even more diamonds, the price difference between 14K and 18K gold can get even smaller. For example, this white gold halo engagement ring, which features almost 1 carat of small diamonds, costs $5,100 in 14K gold and $5,470 in 18K gold — a mere 7% difference.

In short, a 14K gold diamond ring is about 20-35% cheaper than the equivalent ring made from 18K gold. However, the value advantage offered by 14K gold becomes smaller when diamonds and other features begin to affect the cost of the setting. 

When is 14K Gold the Right Choice?

The metal you choose for your jewelry should depend mostly on appearance, but also on longevity and cost. 14K gold is affordable compared to platinum and 18K gold options, making it an excellent choice for many budgets. 14K gold is ideal for engagement rings, but also pendants, bracelets, earrings, promise rings, and other fine jewelry pieces.

When it comes to determining the color of gold for an engagement ring, you’ll want to make sure the diamond looks white in relation to its setting. For instance, this J colored round cut diamond from Blue Nile, which sometimes has a slight tint, looks white in relation to a 14K yellow gold setting. Yellow gold is often a great match for a stone with a lower color grade. This G color-graded diamond from James Allen pairs well with a white gold setting, though would certainly still look colorless in yellow or rose gold as well.

No matter the color you choose, 14K gold is an ideal choice for jewelry that will be worn daily and carries special meaning.

Popular 14K gold jewelry

14K gold remains the most popular metal for engagement rings, at nearly 90% of all rings sold. It is durable, not easily tarnished and beautiful in any color.

14K gold engagement ring inspiration

• White gold halo setting from James Allen
• Yellow gold side stone setting from James Allen
• Rose gold three stone setting from James Allen

14K gold chain inspiration

• White gold cable chain from Blue Nile
• Yellow gold Byzantine necklace from Blue Nile
• Rose gold cable chain from Blue Nile

14K earrings inspiration

• White gold heart earrings from Blue Nile
• Yellow gold chandelier earrings from Blue Nile
• Rose gold hoop earrings from Blue Nile

14K bracelets inspiration

• White gold heart bracelet from Blue Nile
• Yellow gold braided cuff bracelet from Blue Nile
• Yellow gold twist bangle from Blue Nile

To create the perfect ring or another piece of fine jewelry, reach out to our experts who can help you find the highest quality diamonds and 14K gold—all while staying within budget.

FAQs About 14K Gold

Here are more specific metal topics to browse:

• What is 10K gold? 
• What is 18K gold? 
• What is 24K gold? 
• Which is better: 10K and 14K gold? 
• What’s the difference between 14K and 18K gold? 
• 10K, 14K, 18K and 24K Gold: What’s the difference?
• How does platinum compare to white gold? 
• Which metal is better for wedding bands: platinum or palladium?
• Which metal is BEST for wedding bands?

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. Get 25% off sitewide at James Allen

Click to Visit

What we love about them:

• No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
• Lifetime Warranty
• Free International Shipping
• Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
• Provide insurance appraisals
• One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
• Free ring inscriptions
• Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
• 24/7 Customer Service
• Best-in-class packaging

Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing.Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

Click to Visit

What we love about them:

• No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
• Lifetime Warranty
• Free Shipping
• Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
• Provide insurance appraisal
• One free resizing within the first year of purchase
• High quality images of about half of their diamonds
• 24/7 Customer Service
• 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
• Best in class fulfillment

About the author

Mike Fried Mike Fried has over 25 years experience in the diamond industry working with Leo Schachter Diamonds, Moshe Namdar Diamonds, and joining The Diamond Pro in 2007. He is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as Us, People, Page Six, The Next Web and more.