18K or 22K? Choosing the Right Gold for the Way You Live

The most common question at our counters is not about design at all — it is about karats. The honest answer: neither 18K nor 22K is 'better'. They are different tools for different lives.

What karat actually measures

Karat is simply the fraction of pure gold in the alloy: 22K is 91.6% gold (hallmarked 916), 18K is 75% (750), 14K is 58.5% (585). The remainder — silver, copper, zinc — is what gives each alloy its working character and its shade.

22K: colour and ceremony

Nothing matches the saturated warmth of 22K. It is the gold of bridal bibs and heirloom bangles — pieces worn on occasions, stored with care, and passed down. Its softness is precisely why intricate hand-chasing looks so alive in it.

18K and 14K: the everyday workhorses

Add a quarter of strengthening metals and you get 18K — rich colour with the resilience to hold diamonds securely through daily wear. 14K goes further still, which is why our climbers and fine chains favour it. Rings and pieces that meet desks, doorhandles and gym bags live longest in these alloys.

The rule of thumb we give clients: ceremony leans 22K, daily life leans 18K or 14K, and every Aquison piece states its hallmark either way.