SHOULD I CHOOSE 18CT OVER 9CT GOLD?

Advice & Information Posted by Gerard McCabe on 17/09/2019

When it comes to selecting the perfect piece of jewellery, either for yourself or for a loved one, the options are endless! Whether you’re after a pair of classic gold earrings, or a diamond anniversary ring, the question always remains: 9ct or 18ct gold?

At Gerard McCabe, we recommend 18ct gold for setting precious gems and diamonds in engagement and wedding rings. In short, this is our preferred metal for fine diamond and gemstone jewellery. 

18ct gold has a lustrous beauty that lends itself to classic pieces that you will come back to time and time again. All Gerard McCabe’s wedding and engagement rings are crafted in 18ct gold, or platinum, giving you the assurance that you are buying a piece of a lifetime.

Wishbone Diamond Linea Ring

Wishbone Diamond Linea Ring

18ct gold is comprised of 75% pure gold and 25% other metal alloys. As gold is a softer metal by nature, the addition of these alloys gives you a strong jewellery product. However, as you wear your 18ct gold jewellery, be sure you properly maintain and care for it, this way, it will last a lifetime!

With the price of gold rising over the past couple of years, 9ct gold has also become an attractive option for us to use for fun fashion pieces, such as our Three75 Collection.

Three75 Gold Necklet

Three75 Necklet

If you’re looking for 9ct gold jewellery, Gerard McCabe has a wide range of classic and elegant options. While 9ct gold is comprised of 37.5% pure gold and 62.5% other metal alloys, making it harder but more brittle than 18ct gold, it is lightweight, durable, and superb for everyday wear. To give you a better idea, 9ct gold is approximately 40% lighter for the same mass.

Three75 Earrings by Gerard McCabe

Three75 Hoop Earrings

With proper care and maintenance, you can expect both 18ct and 9ct gold jewellery to last a lifetime. Discussing your intentions with a jeweller like Gerard McCabe will allow you to select the jewellery collection that’s perfect for you!


Learn more about our gold jewellery collections at our Adelaide boutiques or in our online store!