Karats
Gold purity is measured in "karats". Pure, 100% gold is 24K gold, and 24K gold is soft and malleable for a metal. Jewelers add alloys to gold to strengthen the metal so it doesn't scratch easily and lose particle, or mass.
Copper and silver are the most common alloys for used in yellow gold bangles, although other metals may be used when creating white gold or rose gold bangles.
Below are composition percentage examples for common yellow gold bangles:
10K yellow gold bangle composition:
41.7% gold
52% silver
6.3% copper
14K yellow gold bangle composition:
58.5% gold
29% copper
12.5% silver
18K yellow gold bangle composition:
75% gold
15% copper
10% silver
22K yellow gold bangle composition:
91.67% gold
8.23% other metal (silver, zinc, copper, nickel)
Continue to Gold Bangles Colors