What is 20k Gold? Is it Real?

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20k gold is an alloy containing 83.3% pure gold mixed with 16.7% other metals like copper or silver for added strength.

It offers a balance between high gold content and durability, making it suitable for detailed jewelry designs. The “k” represents karat, indicating 20 parts gold out of 24 total parts.

20k gold is non-magnetic (diamagnetic), hypoallergenic due to its high gold content, and marked with “833” or “20k” hallmarks. It’s not used for bullion since investment-grade gold requires 99.5% purity, but it’s popular for jewelry. Its value equals 83.3% of current gold spot prices.

Table of Contents

What is 20k Gold (Definition and Meaning)?

20k gold is an alloy that’s 83.3% pure gold, with the remaining 16.7% consisting of other metals like copper or silver, which are added for strength.

20k gold offers a good balance between a still very high gold content and increased hardness, making it a suitable choice for certain types of jewelry where higher karat golds like 24k and 22k are too soft.

In “20k gold,” the “k” stands for karat, a unit of measurement for gold purity, indicating it is composed of 20 parts gold and 4 parts other metals, or about 83.3% pure gold, out of a total of 24 parts.

Is 20k Gold Magnetic?

No, 20k gold isn’t magnetic. It’s diamagnetic, meaning it has a weak repulsive force to magnets.

Pure gold within the 20k gold alloy (83.3%) is diamagnetic because its electrons are paired within its atomic structure, which creates a very weak magnetic field that opposes an external magnetic field.

The remaining metals in the alloy (16.67%) can be magnetic, ferromagnetic, paramagnetic or diamagnetic. In all cases the percentage is too small and the 20k gold alloy will always remain diamagnetic for all practical purposes.

Is 20k Gold Hypoallergenic?

Yes, 20k gold is hypoallergenic because it contains a high amount of non-allergenic yellow gold content (83.3%) and a low percentage (16.67%) of potentially allergenic other metals.

Other metals are always alloyed with pure gold to improve its workability for jewelry design, and it’s these metals that are the common culprits when it comes to metal allergies (especially in people with extremely sensitive skin and known metal hypersensitivity).

Notorious example are nickel and copper, both metals a lot of people are allergic to (with nickel being the single metal most people react to).

Is There Bullion Made From 20k Gold?

No, there’s no bullion made from 20k gold. Gold bullion requires high purity (at least 99.5% or 995 fineness, equivalent to 24k) for its value and worldwide recognition as an investment asset.

20k gold contains significant amounts of other metals and is primarily used in jewelry and antiques due to its durability and color, and not as a tradable investment commodity.

Are you interested in investment-grade gold coins and bars?

24k gold is used to create gold-investment bullion and these are the gold IRA-approved coins and bars you can include in your gold IRA account.

For example, check out how many pure gold coins and bars Augusta Precious Metals offers (note: Augusta Precious Metals is the best gold IRA company in the United States. They waive all fees for 10 years for all new customers).

Gold coins sold by Augusta Precious Metals you can include in your gold IRA account.

Is There Jewelry Made From 20k Gold?

Yes, there’s jewelry made from 20k gold.

20k gold is harder and more durable than higher karat gold and is often used and chosen for its rich color, wear and tear resistance and high jewelry workability making it a preferred choice for those who want detailed and intricately designed jewelry.

What is the Hallmark for 20k Gold?

The hallmark for 20k gold is typically either a “833” stamp, or “20k” indicating 83.3% pure gold.

Besides the purity mark, a hallmark may also include an assay center mark and a manufacturer’s mark to certify the item’s authenticity.

How Much is 20k Gold Worth?

20k gold is 83.3% pure, and is therefore worth 83.3% of the current gold spot price.

Gold spot price changes multiple times during the day because of the interplay of supply and demand so the value of your 20k gold changes with it.