Can You Wear 14k Gold In The Shower? A Must Read

Gold is one of the most treasured jewelry pieces and comes in different colors and grades or karats of purity. 14-karat gold is one of the most popular types of gold jewelry. 

Because most gold jewelry are not 100% pure gold, they are susceptible to damage from natural conditions like heat and humidity. These conditions can degrade other elements present in the jewelry and affect its luster.

Knowing the conditions harmful to gold jewelry becomes essential to take necessary precautions. Many people shower with their jewelry on. But before you take such a step, here’s a question you should be asking.

Can You Wear 14K Gold in the Shower?

Unless it has a protective coating such as rhodium, it’s not advisable to shower with 14k gold. Constant exposure to wet conditions can reduce the gold’s luster over time. 

14k gold contains other elements like sulfur that are degradable by humidity. The gold will remain unaffected, but damage to these elements will discolor your 14k jewelry and dull its appeal.

Keep reading to know more!

What Is 14k Gold?

You would rarely find 100% pure gold in jewelry. In reality, you can’t wear pure gold every single day. Pure gold is soft and can easily scratch or break. So, it is alloyed with other metals like silver or copper to make it stronger.

Karats in gold jewelry indicate the composition of other metals alloyed with pure gold. The gold standard, 24k gold, is 100% pure gold. Dividing the number of karats in jewelry by 24 would tell you the amount of gold present in it.

14-karat gold contains about 58.5% gold. It incorporates other metals such as copper, silver, and nickel for a sturdier build which is adequate for daily use.

14k Gold Colors

14 karat gold is available in three colors: yellow, white, and rose.

Yellow gold is the purest of the three colors. Its pure gold, nickel, and copper blend are responsible for its warm appearance. The 14k yellow gold is less vivid than that of 18k gold.

White gold was once a popular gold color choice. It resembles silver and is a blend of pure gold and other metals such as silver, nickel, and palladium. White gold is the go-to choice for people who desire a more silvery color.

Rose gold is a relatively new addition to the jewelry world but is quickly gaining popularity. This metal is an excellent choice for vintage settings because of its beautiful pink tint.

How Durable Is 14k Gold?

14k gold is less expensive and has a lighter hue than 24k gold, but it is more durable. The presence of other alloys makes them sturdier and more resistant to wear.

A 24 karat gold piece will cost more and have a higher value than a 14 karat gold, but it is softer and more likely to scratch and bend.

Applications Of 14k Gold

Necklaces:

Gold necklaces are a gorgeous accessory that instantly enhances your appearance. There are several karats and necklace styles. The type of necklace, how often you’ll wear it, and your personal preference will influence your decision.

An everyday necklace will be in frequent contact with soap, water, and sweat and rub against your hair. A 14 karat gold necklace is preferable for everyday use because it’s more durable and less vulnerable to scratches and wears.

Wristwatches:

Wristwatches are another everyday accessory. Their position near the hands constantly exposes them to hard surfaces and objects. A 14 karat gold is ideal for making a long-lasting, high-quality timepiece that won’t fade, scratch, or bend.

Bracelets:

Light bracelets for frequent use often require lower, stronger karats of gold such as 14k gold. Higher and milder karats of gold, such as 20k gold and above, are ideal for making heavier and thicker bracelets for occasional use.

Rings:

Rings stay on the fingers and are likely to contact materials and surfaces that can easily scratch them. Lower karat gold, such as 14k gold, is more durable and does not scratch or bend. 

Rings with gemstones or elaborate designs require a higher karat of gold, such as 14 karats, to sustain the designs and gemstones and ensure that they do not fall off or bend easily. 

Rings made of 14 karat gold are more durable and less likely to scratch when worn by active and frequently use their hands.

How To Identify 14k Gold Stamps

Gold jewelry comes with stamps that indicate the metal’s purity. The letters “14K,” “583,” or “587” should be visible even if the stamp is small and concealed. The number before the K (i.e., 14K) denotes the karatage, while 583 describes the proportion of pure gold in the jewelry (58.3% in this case).

How To Determine 14k Gold Current Value

To determine value, we must review the amount of pure gold in 14K gold. 14K gold contains approximately 58 percent pure gold, as previously stated. 

To calculate the value of 58 percent pure gold, you’ll need to look up the current gold market price.

14k Gold Vs. Other Gold Karats

24k Gold:

24k gold is the purest and the most expensive form of gold. It is 99.9% pure and free of any other metals.

It’s soft and pliable due to its relatively lower density than lower karatage gold. It isn’t ideal for traditional jewelry for this reason. It’s suitable for making gold coins and bars, with some alloys added to make them durable.

22k Gold:

22K gold contains 91.67 pure gold, with metals such as zinc, nickel, and silver accounting for the remaining 8.33%. 

22k gold is not the best choice for heavy studded gold jewelry. It’s softer than diamonds and other precious gemstones and hence incapable of securely keeping them throughout daily wear. 22k gold is popular in wedding jewelry and other occasionally used items.

18k Gold:

18 karat gold contains 75% pure gold and 25% other metals like copper or silver. 18k gold is cheaper than 24K and 22K gold and is ideal for studded and diamond jewelry. It has a bright yellow hue with a slightly dull finish, ideal for fine gold and diamond jewelry.

Many rings, watches, and other routinely worn jewelry are 18-karat gold. Its beautiful yellow gleam makes it ideal for wedding bands and other jewelry.

18k gold jewelry is excellent for daily wear, and the reduced metallic content makes it a better alternative for persons with metal allergies.

10k Gold:

10 karat gold contains more alloyed metals than pure gold (41.7%). The high metallic content accounts for its sturdiness. It doesn’t scratch or bend easily.

10k gold is the most affordable kind of gold. It tarnishes quickly and has a lighter tone than the other karats. 10k It’s common in simple chains, rings, and other items that aren’t part of a luxurious jewelry collection. 10k gold may cause skin irritation in people with metal allergies.

How To Know Real Gold

Gold, whether 14k or 18k, is precious. In the market, there is always the possibility of finding fake items. The following tips can assist you in identifying genuine gold and avoiding losing money to con artists.

Hallmarks:

We mentioned earlier that gold items carry stamps that indicate the gold’s karat composition. Different places use different stamp designations.

The hallmark number in the US is less than 24, the number of pure gold. Gold stamps in Europe carry numbers between 0.00 and 1.000, with the latter representing pure gold.

The absence of a hallmark may indicate that the jewelry doesn’t contain genuine gold. There are other possibilities, though. Regular contact with skin may wear off the hallmark. Also, some old jewelry existed before hallmarking became standard.

The ceramic tile test:

This test requires scratching the gold item on unglazed ceramic tile. Glazing will affect the results of the tests, so ensure the test tile has no glazing. 

Rub your object gently against the tile until you see gold flakes peeling off. There’s a high probability your object is real gold if it leaves a gold streak. A black mark reveals that it is fake.

The water test:

Gently drop your gold object in a container filled with plenty of water. Real gold is a heavy metal that does not float. If your gold object floats, it is not genuine. Also, if the item rusts or tarnishes after being submerged in water, it isn’t real gold because gold does not rust or tarnish.

The nitric acid test:

Make a small scratch in an obscure area of the jewelry. The inside of a ring is a perfect example. The mark should graze the top layer.

Gently apply a drop of nitric acid to the mark. Gold is unreactive with nitric acid. A reaction such as a color change indicates that the gold is not genuine.

Nitric acid is a hazardous substance, so use extreme caution when handling it. Do this test in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves and goggles for protection.

Conclusion

Most gold jewelry is not 100 percent pure gold. It usually contains other alloys vulnerable to harm from natural elements such as heat and humidity. 

Knowing what conditions are detrimental to gold jewelry is essential so you can take the appropriate precaution.

Showering with 14k gold is not advisable unless it has a protective coating such as rhodium. Over time, constant exposure to moisture can dull the gold’s shine.