Is Pure Gold Soft? (All You Need To Know)

If you have certain jewelry or are simply interested in the properties of gold, you have likely wondered about various aspects thereof. One such consideration is how soft or hard pure gold is, especially since it is considered a heavy metal. When we are talking about pure gold, we refer to that which is not mixed with other metals, but is pure gold truly soft?

Pure gold is noted for being incredibly soft and highly malleable. The pureness of gold is measured in karats, with 24 karat gold being that of the purest. Although we imagine it to be 100 percent gold, it is usually 99.99 percent. Pure gold is often too soft for many practical applications.

Pure gold is very soft, and we can manipulate it with great ease; additionally, the purer the gold, the more likely it is to possess an intense yellow hue. When we quantify gold, we look at purity in karats, as well as fineness, which gives us an indication of the proportion of pure gold to other base metals included. So to find out more, we recommend reading on.

The Softness Of Pure 24 Karat Gold

Pure gold, or what is referred to as 24 karat gold, is far too soft to be of much use for many things. The softness of the gold’s ductility (its ability to be drawn out and stretched into wires) and the level of malleability (how it can be manipulated and hammered into thin sheets) are far too high for most purposes.

When looking at metals, gold is, in fact, the most malleable of them all, and hammered into sheets, you could stack approximately 200,000 separate sheets atop of one another, and the pile would only measure at the height of about a single inch. Although this can be convenient for specific purposes, it certainly has its downsides in other applications.

One such example, which we shall discuss even further along, is the art of making jewelry. Here we find that jewelers will sculpt and design intricate and ornate designs out of this material, and often there will be the inclusion of precious jewels in the jewelry.

Now for the jeweler, it is practically impossible to work with 100 percent pure gold for an ornament that needs to grasp onto things like diamonds and other precious stones or gems, and here we see the need for a compromise to be made.

Because the 24 karat gold is so soft and malleable, it is highly likely that if it is used to make jewelry, it will lose its form, and the jewel it houses could easily slip out or fall from its place in the ornament. Therefore, you will find that most jewelers will use a maximum of 22 karat gold, which is a gold alloy.

Pure Gold And The Karat Level We Can Work With

Gold comes in an array of purity levels, which can be as low as 10 karat gold or as high as 24 karat gold. Now 24 karat gold is considered 100 percent pure gold, and when we start to look at anything less than this, we are examining what is referred to as metal alloys. This lowering of the purity of the gold is typically done by adding copper, silver, or platinum.

Now we will find that an alloy will showcase the various properties of each component metal that it is a combination of. So, for instance, if we were to mix 2 parts of silver along with 22 parts of gold, we will resultantly have what is referred to as 22 karat gold, and the percentage of pure gold within the combination will sit at 91.67 percent.

With this addition of only 2 parts, silver or such, we will already find that the material is harder than 100 percent pure gold because the final product will have taken up the more hardy qualities of the included metal. And as we decrease the level of gold, the more robust the article, but the karat will obviously decrease.

Now the reason why we concoct gold alloys is so that jewelers are capable of creating both more rigid and more durable jewelry. These items will thus be better at withstanding the wear and tear of daily use, and we as customers can rest assured that our rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets will remain in pristine condition for many years to come.

Is 24 Karat Gold Ever Used To Make Jewellery?

Due to its immense level of softness, pure gold is not a viable option to be used to make jewelry. This comes down to the fact that pure gold is immensely malleable, prone to becoming deformed, and ultimately losing grip on the jewel.

When creating jewelry, it is essential that the ornaments, which could be diamonds or other precious stones or gems, are held firmly in place.

Therefore, gold of fewer than 24 karats, an alloy combining gold with other metals, is the most ideal for making jewelry. So even something as pure as 22 karat gold can be used to make jewelry, so you will doubtfully miss out too much on the purity of the gold. Still, it is essential to include harder metals to ensure the jewelry’s durability.

Is 24 Karat Gold The Best Option To Purchase?

Suppose you hope to invest in gold, especially if you are looking for long-term investments. In that case, 24 karat gold (which is sometimes not 100 percent, but rather 99.99 percent pure) is more than likely not the wisest option to opt for, and you will want bullion or coins that are of a slightly lower purity and, obviously, a gold allow. If you want jewelry, you will be safe with going as high as 22 karats.

How To Discover The Purity Of Gold

When we consider gold, 24 karats and 999.9 fineness are typically referred to as pure gold – this is a generally accepted standard. Despite what we may hope for, it is impossible for us, even with modern technology, to produce 100 percent pure gold. However, we have come close, and in 1957 Perth Mint managed to produce gold of a 999.999 fineness.

When you want to find out the pureness of your gold, it will more than likely already have been stamped to indicate the karat it is. If there are no markings on the gold, or if you wish to ensure that it is as pure as the stamp claims it to be, it is possible to test it. The most reliable means of testing for the purity of the gold is acid testing.

This is something that you will likely find is possible to have done at the majority of jewelry stores. The attending jeweler will scratch off a minute sample and pour acid onto it. The acid is typically nitric acid, and then they will observe the chemical reaction. Depending on the reaction observed, they can help you determine the karat of your gold.

Conclusion

Pure gold, which sits at a karat level of 24 and fineness of 999.9, is immensely soft and highly malleable. It is unfortunately impossible for us to manufacture gold that is 100 percent pure, but even if we could, it would not be of much use for many applications. That is why in most instances, gold will be ranked in karats, which will correlate to the proportion of gold to other metals infused.