We value creating quality jewellery that lasts. Jewellery is both a personal and considered investment that will last for generations to come, which is why we are extremely selective of the precious metals and metal suppliers we chose to work with.
Our high-grade gold is supplied by one of Australian’s leading specialists of precious metals and jewellery production. All of their metals are alloyed in-house primarily from post-consumer and recycled metals, guaranteeing the quality of product, traceability of supply-chain and responsible practice.
There are some significant differences you may not know about gold that will affect the overall look and durability of your jewellery. In its purest form, gold (24K) is incredibly soft; this is not ideal for jewellery for everyday wear. For this reason, other precious and base metals, such as palladium, copper and zinc, are alloyed to create a stronger and durable metal.
Karats are units of measurement that indicate the percentage of pure gold in your jewellery. Be sure you don’t get confused with the term carat (pronounced the same) which is a unit of measurement for the weight of a diamond or gemstone.
It’s a good idea to learn about the essential differences between the two so that you can make the best choice for your needs.
Below is a breakdown of the different gold options and their components.
Both 14K and 18K are equally popular for Louise Jean engagement and wedding rings. For some, there is very little visual difference between the two, and for others, there is a clear favourite. 14K would be best described as a 'creamy' yellow and is well suited for all skin tones and diamond/gemstone colours. Lower colour grade diamonds, champagne diamonds and coloured stones (such as sapphires) pair beautifully with this metal. 18K is slightly more lustrous and warm, and pairs beautifully with white diamonds. Those who love the classic rich tone that yellow gold offers, 18K is a perfect choice!
Rose gold has become increasingly popular over the years due to the feminine and romantic appeal. The pink tone is due to additional copper when alloyed with pure gold, giving the metal, it’s unique blush tone.
Our 14K is visually unique compared to the standard 14K rose gold you may see from other jewellers. It is best described as a ‘champagne’ rose and has a more subtle peach undertone. Champagne diamonds and like-coloured stones (pink sapphires for example) complement this metal beautifully. This option tends to be the metal of choice for those who aren’t necessarily a drawn to yellow or rose but still want a warm metal colour. Our 18K is much lusher in colour and provides a great contrast with bright, colourless diamonds. This is an excellent choice if you are very fond of the traditional colour of rose and have a preference for a more lustrous metal.
White gold is another popular choice and is often selected by those who prefer neutral metal tones. The ‘white’ colour is created when either platinum or palladium are added to pure gold (along with a smaller amount of other base metals). It is then finished with a plating of rhodium to give it a brighter silver-like lustre. With everyday wear, the rhodium plating will fade and eventually, the natural colour of the metal will begin to show. This fading may be more apparent in the parts of the band that rub against your pinky and middle finger and the setting. When plated, both 14K and 18K white gold has no visual difference, however, in their natural form you may notice the warmer/darker grey undertones in the metal. For some, this is often preferred in male wedding bands as it gives the ring a masculine look.
Over time with everyday wear, it is natural that gold will scratch and scuff. The karat of gold can have a minor role in its overall durability; however, gold will never be scratch or damage resistant. Due to the higher percentage of alloy metals, 14K gold offers slightly more strength and resistance to wear and tear than 18K gold. If you are particularly active or have a hands-on job/lifestyle and know that your rings may be knocked around from time to time, 14K gold is an excellent option for you. That being said, 18K is still suitable for everyday wear and is a very popular choice for bridal rings simply due to the luxurious nature of the metal.
Regardless of your decision, the metal will only be as good as the care you give it.
14K rings will be less expensive than 18K gold rings due to the lower amount of pure gold in the alloy. At Louise Jean, it costs approximately $150.00 - $200.00AUD (subject to change) extra to use 18K gold over 14K.