A Carat (Karat in the USA & Germany) was originally a unit of mass based on the Carob seed or bean used by ancient merchants in the Middle East. The Carob seed comes from the Carob or locust bean tree. The carat is still used as such for the weight of gemstones (1 carat equals approximately 200 mg). For gold, it has come to be used to measure purity, where pure gold is defined as 24 carats. The Romans also used the name Siliqua Graeca (Keration in Greek, Qirat in Arabic, now Carat in modern times) for the bean of the Carob tree — and over centuries the term evolved to become our modern measure of gold purity.
A Brief History of Gold
Gold was probably first found on the ground and used by prehistoric humans as a tool. Highly sophisticated gold art objects and jewelry discovered by archaeologists in the Sumerian Royal Tombs at Ur, in what is now Southern Iraq, date back to around 3000 BC. Similarly, goldsmiths of the Chavin civilization in Peru were making ornaments by hammering and embossing gold by 1200 BC.
Gold has been central to human civilization ever since — used as currency, adornment, and a symbol of wealth and power across every major culture in history. The California Gold Rush of 1848 and the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896 reshaped the American West. Today, gold remains the world's most universally valued precious metal.
Gold Purity (Karats)
Pure gold (24 karat) is too soft for everyday jewelry use, so it is mixed with other metals — called alloys — to increase hardness and durability. The karat system describes the proportion of gold in the mixture:
- 24 Karat — 99.9% pure gold. Too soft for most jewelry; used in bullion and some high-end Asian jewelry markets.
- 18 Karat — 75% gold. Excellent balance of purity, durability, and rich color. The preferred choice for fine jewelry in Europe and for high-end engagement rings.
- 14 Karat — 58.3% gold. The most popular choice for jewelry in the United States. Very durable and more affordable than 18K, while still retaining a beautiful gold color.
- 10 Karat — 41.7% gold. The minimum karat that can legally be sold as gold in the US. Very durable and budget-friendly, but with a less rich color.
Gold Colors
The alloy metals mixed with gold determine its color:
- Yellow Gold — The classic. Alloyed with silver and copper to maintain gold's natural warm color.
- White Gold — Alloyed with palladium or nickel (and often plated with rhodium) to achieve a bright white appearance. A popular choice for diamond settings as it doesn't compete with the stone's color.
- Rose Gold — Alloyed with a higher proportion of copper, giving it a warm pink-red hue. Rose gold has seen a significant surge in popularity over the past decade for its romantic, vintage look.
Gold at Grissom's
Though Grissom's specializes in gold and platinum jewelry, our expert casters can also serve all of your metal needs. We offer custom casting in 10K, 14K, and 18K yellow, white, and rose gold — and we stock a broad selection of gold jewelry in our Fort Worth showroom. Whether you're looking for a simple gold band or a fully custom piece, we're here to help.