Material Standard // 01
Solid,
surface to core.
Solid gold is the same metal from the surface to the core. Here is what the karat stamp means, and why it matters for jewelry you wear every day.
What karat means
Pure gold is 24 karat, and too soft to hold its shape in daily wear. Jewelry gold is alloyed with other metals, usually silver, copper and zinc, for strength and color. The karat tells you how much of the alloy is gold, by weight.
| Karat | Gold content | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 10K | 41.7% | The hardest and most durable of the three; the lowest gold content that can be sold as gold in the United States |
| 14K | 58.5% | The balance most fine jewelry is made in: rich color, strong enough for daily wear |
| 18K | 75% | Deeper color and more gold; softer, so better suited to pieces that see less abrasion |
Peelerie works in all three. The karat of every piece is stated on its product page and stamped on the piece.
Solid, not plated
In a solid gold piece, the alloy is the same all the way through. There is no layer to wear away and no different metal underneath to show through. Gold plating is a thin surface layer over another metal; with daily friction it wears, and the metal beneath appears. Where a Peelerie piece is gold-plated sterling silver, its name and product page say so.
Daily wear
Solid gold does not rust and resists tarnish in normal wear. Lower karats can dull slightly over time from contact with chlorine, salt water or cosmetics; a gentle clean with warm water and mild soap restores the surface. See Jewelry Care.
Questions
Can I wear solid gold in the shower?
Yes. Water does not harm solid gold. Rinse it after chlorine or salt water, and dry it, to keep the surface bright.
Does solid gold hold its value?
Its metal value is tied to the gold it contains, which is why the karat and the weight both matter.
Is hollow gold “solid gold”?
No. A hollow piece can be genuine 14K, but it contains far less gold than a solid piece of the same size. We state the construction of every chain.
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