18-Carat or 10-carat: which to choose?

This is the question we are asked most often in store. The answer lies in one number: the proportion of pure gold in the metal.

What a Carat Means

Carat measures purity on a scale of 24. 24-carat gold is pure gold—too soft to make durable jewelry. So, it is alloyed with other metals to harden it.

Fineness	Pure Gold	Hallmark
10 carats	41.7 %	417
14 carats	58.3 %	585
18 carats	75.0 %	750
24 carats	99.9 %	999

A 10-carat ring therefore contains less than 42% gold. The rest—the majority—is copper, zinc, silver, or nickel.

The Color

This is the first difference noticed, even without any knowledge. 18-carat gold has a deep, warm yellow. 10-carat gold is visibly paler, sometimes slightly pinkish or greyish depending on the alloy.

Place the two side-by-side and the difference is obvious. This is also the best test in store: ask to compare.

Skin Reactions

This is an underestimated argument. Skin reactions to jewelry almost never come from gold—they come from alloy metals, with nickel being the main culprit. The less there is, the less risk there is.

18-carat gold contains about 25% alloy, compared to nearly 60% for 10-carat gold. For someone with sensitive skin, or for earrings worn constantly, the difference is real.

Hardness: The Advantage of 10-Carat Gold

Let's be honest—10-carat gold doesn't just have disadvantages. The more alloy there is, the harder the metal. A 10-carat ring is more resistant to everyday scratches.

18-carat gold, being softer, marks more easily. In contrast, it polishes and repairs better: a jeweler can restore the shine to a worn 18-carat piece, whereas a cracked 10-carat piece welds less well.

The Value

For the same weight, an 18-carat piece of jewelry contains nearly twice as much gold as a 10-carat one. It therefore costs more to purchase—and retains much more value upon resale or melting. This is why 18-carat gold traditionally serves as both savings and adornment.

Also, a Matter of Culture

10-carat gold is common in North America. Elsewhere, it is much less so.

In North Africa, the Middle East, Italy, and a large part of Asia, 18-carat is the norm, and 21 or 22-carat is not exceptional. Dowry jewelry, wedding adornments, pieces passed down from generation to generation are made of rich gold. This is not snobbery: it's because jewelry there has a patrimonial function, not just a decorative one.

So, Which One to Choose?

Choose 10 or 14 carats if you are looking for a resistant piece at a low price, worn in demanding contexts, and if resale value is not important to you.

Choose 18 carats if color matters to you, if your skin reacts to jewelry, if the piece has sentimental or patrimonial value, or if you want it to retain its value.

At Bijoux Radiant, we only sell 18-carat gold. This is a deliberate choice: it's the gold that three generations of our family have worked with, and the one our customers recognize as soon as they see it.

All our pieces bear the 750 hallmark and come with their guarantee invoice. Come and compare in-store, at 787 av. Marguerite-Bourgeoys in Quebec City.