Two chains sit side by side in our case. Same look. Same length. Same shine.
One is $440. The other is $700.
The only difference is a tiny number on the clasp: 10K or 14K.
After 23 years on Park Street, this is the question we hear most at the counter. So here it is, explained the easy way.
Gold is like a pizza with 24 slices
Pure gold is 24 slices out of 24. The karat number is just how many of those slices are real gold.
- 10K = 10 slices gold, 14 slices other metals
- 14K = 14 slices gold, 10 slices other metals
- 18K = 18 slices gold, 6 slices other metals
Why not just use all 24 slices? Because pure gold is soft. Think of a chocolate bar in a hot car. A 24K ring bends with your hand. So jewelers mix in stronger metals, like copper and silver, to make it tough enough for real life.
None of them is fake. In the US, anything 10K and up is legally real gold, and every piece we sell is stamped so you can check it yourself.
What actually changes
1. Toughness
10K is the toughest. More mixed metal means fewer scratches and less bending. 14K is a little softer. 18K is softer still.
Think of it like this: 10K is a pickup truck. 14K is a nice SUV. 18K is a sports car. All three are real. You just do not take the sports car off-roading.
2. Color
10K is a lighter, brighter yellow. 14K is warmer. 18K is that deep, rich yellow you see on old-school pieces.
Real talk: across the room, nobody can tell 10K from 14K. Side by side under the counter light, you can.
3. Price today, and money back later
Gold is priced by how much pure gold is inside. A 14K chain has about 40% more gold than the same chain in 10K, so it costs more. 18K has almost 80% more.
Here is the part most people miss: more karat costs more today, but it also holds more value later. When you sell a piece, trade it in, or bring it to our counter, we pay for the pure gold inside it. So 14K and 18K are the bigger check up front, and the bigger check back if you ever let the piece go.
Simple version: 10K is the smart buy for wearing. 14K and 18K are the smart buy for keeping.
Got old gold sitting in a drawer? A broken chain, a ring you never wear, an earring with no match. We buy it. Come by the store, or text us the details (karat stamp, weight if you know it, a photo) at (860) 805-8424 and we will tell you what it is worth.
So which one is yours?
- You never take it off. Gym, work, shower, sleep. Chains, bracelets, kids’ pieces. Go 10K. Your money goes into size and weight instead of purity you cannot see.
- There are stones involved. Engagement rings, diamond studs, a gift that marks a moment. Go 14K. It holds a stone for life and keeps its value.
- You want that deep yellow and you will baby it. Go 18K, built to order in our custom program.
Quick test at the counter: “Will I ever take this off?”
Never: 10K or 14K. Special nights only: 18K.
Also meant to hold your money: go higher.
Not sure what you already have? Text us a photo of the stamp on your clasp at (860) 805-8424. We will tell you the karat in a minute.
Two pieces that show the difference
The everyday 10K
10K Diamond-Cut Miami Cuban Chain
3mm to 5.5mm, 16 to 26 inches. From $512. The chain you never take off.
The forever 14K
14K Lab Diamond Solitaire Studs
2.5 carats total, VS clarity. $1,769. Diamonds belong in 14K.
The made-for-you 18K
Anything in our custom program. Bring the idea, we build it in Hartford.
Gold news this week
Gold is trading around $4,180 an ounce (as of October 20, 2026). Two years ago it was about $2,670. That is a jump of more than 55%.
What that means for you: the chain you bought in 2024 has more gold value in it today than the day you bought it. It is also why 10K keeps getting more popular. When the metal gets expensive, tough becomes smart.
Questions we hear at the counter
Is 10K gold real gold?
Yes. 10K is 41.7% pure gold mixed with stronger metals. In the US it is the legal minimum to be sold as gold, and it is stamped “10K” on the piece.
Does 10K gold tarnish or turn your skin green?
Real 10K gold does not turn skin green. That usually comes from cheap plated or costume jewelry. Our 10K and 14K are nickel-free, and a quick clean brings the shine back. Here is how to care for your gold.
Which gold is best for everyday wear?
10K, because it is the toughest. If you want a chain for every day, also pick the right length: see our chain length guide.
Which gold is the better investment?
14K and 18K. More pure gold inside means more money back when you sell or trade the piece in. 10K is the better buy for wearing; 14K and 18K are the better buy for keeping.
Deals by text, for the Pereira family only
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Questions about your piece? Call or text (860) 805-8424. Hablamos español.
Pereira Jewelry, 569 Park St, Hartford, CT. Family-owned since 2003.
