Shop MIMOSA Handcrafted 14K Gold Jewelry
Read our 14K Gold Jewelry FAQs
Long-time MIMOSA customers will know that we love bronze. The ancient metal is durable, affordable, and has a beautiful, warm color. Bronze is one of our favorite choices for everyday jewelry, but it’s not the only metal we work with.
14K gold is another fantastic option that MIMOSA offers. Each metal has its benefits, so it’s up to you to decide which is best suited to your lifestyle. Find out when and why you should choose 14K gold jewelry over bronze below!
Gold Vs. Bronze Jewelry: What Is 14K Gold?
Luxurious and bright, gold has been a coveted precious metal for centuries. Unlike bronze, gold jewelry is categorized into karats, the unit of measurement for the purity of gold. You may be surprised to find out that pure gold is rarely used. The metal is too soft to withstand the wear and tear of everyday life on its own.
Other metals are added to gold to increase strength and durability, which is where karats come in. 14K signifies a pure gold content of about 58%. The approximately 42% remaining is an alloy made of harder metals.
Gold Vs. Bronze Jewelry: The Benefits Of 14K Gold Jewelry
We often believe that a higher karat is better since gold has a prestigious reputation. The truth is that a lower karat is generally more useful for everyday wear. Essentially, the less gold a piece of jewelry contains, the stronger it will be.
The only difference is that its color won’t be as bright. 18K or 20K gold are great for special occasion pieces, but 14K gold jewelry is much better for everyday wear. It’s one of the more popular jewelry metals for many reasons.
- It’s durable enough for everyday wear.
- It retains most of the luster and bright color of pure gold.
- It’s more affordable than higher karat levels.
- It still has a luxurious reputation throughout the jewelry industry.
If you’re looking for the perfect blend of quality, affordability, and luxury, 14K gold will be the metal for you.
Left - Large Louisiana Wild Pendant in bronze (left) & 14K Yellow Gold (right); Right - Dot to Dot Ring - No Stones in bronze (top) & 14K Yellow Gold (bottom)
14K Gold Jewelry vs. Bronze Jewelry
While both metals have beautiful golden hues and are durable enough for everyday wear, there are a few key differences between gold and bronze jewelry.
Bronze's propensity to tarnish, both on the skin and the jewelry itself, is the main difference between bronze and gold jewelry. As an alloy metal, bronze (which is mostly made of copper) is prone to oxidation and often requires more care than 14K gold jewelry.
Regular cleaning is important to maintain the golden color of bronze jewelry. 14K gold jewelry, on the other hand, is less likely to tarnish. It contains just the right amount of pure gold to maintain a consistent color over time. It’s also less likely to turn your skin green.
Gold Vs. Bronze Jewelry: Which metal will you choose?
So, does this mean that one metal is better than the other? Not necessarily. It just depends on your preference and budget.
Bronze is more affordable than 14K gold. And it’s perfect for pieces that don't directly touch the skin, like necklaces and earrings. 14K gold will be better for jewelry with a constant close fit to your skin, like rings and bracelets. The more direct jewelry-to-skin contact there is, the more likely it is bronze could turn your skin green.
If you don’t want to spend too much time restoring your jewelry's shine, 14K gold is also a better choice.
So, which metal will you choose? — Browse our selection of bronze and 14K gold jewelry!
Don't see the piece you're looking for in 14K Gold? Contact us for a price quote.
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Guest blog by Maria Polansky
Published 3/30/23; Last Updated 3/30/23
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