Gold, a true example of a wonderful metal! It will not corrode, rust, or tarnish, and although it is very strong, it is also the most malleable of all metals. The purity of gold is measured in karats, and in 24 parts. 24K gold is gold in its purest form; 12K gold is 50% gold and 50% alloy. 24K gold is very soft and is not ideal for jewelry and its everyday use and wear. Alloys such as silver, copper, nickel, and zinc are added to gold for strength and color. 18k gold is durable yet has a beautiful appearance. 14K gold is very strong due to the amount of alloy included and still offers a beautiful shine. This is the most common karat used in jewelry. 10K gold is the strongest of the karats containing 41.7% gold and a larger amount of alloy.c