High Karat Gold: The Intrinsic and Symbolic Value of California 20k Gold
High karat gold has a distinct presence—richer in color, weight, and intrinsic value than the lower karat alloys commonly used in modern jewelry. Our 20 karat California Gold is a rare expression of high purity gold paired with full traceability and intentional design. Mined and crafted within California, it carries a naturally warm, subtly greenish tone and has a substantial feel on the body. It is jewelry made not only to be worn, but to be lived in…deepening in beauty and meaning as it develops a patina that reflects the life of the wearer.
What Is High Karat Gold?
Gold purity is measured in karats. 24k gold is pure gold, while most jewelry today is made in 10K –18K, where the gold is diluted with other metals (often copper, silver, nickel, zinc). The combination of gold with other metals also affects hardness and color.
10k gold = 41.7% pure gold
14k gold = 58.3% pure gold
18k gold = 75% pure gold
20k gold = 83.3% pure gold
22k gold = 91.6% pure gold
24k gold = 99.9% pure gold (too soft for most jewelry)
Our 20k California Gold holds a rare balance: high purity, distinctive color, and long-term wearability.
The Intrinsic Value of High Karat Gold Jewelry
High karat gold jewelry contains a higher proportion of pure gold, giving it more inherent material value. As gold prices rise over time, the value of high karat pieces increases more directly than lower karat jewelry, making them a tangible, lasting investment in a real and universally recognized precious metal.
Our California 20k gold offers both:
Intrinsic material value due to its high gold purity
Emotional and historical value from its origin and source traceability
Weight and Feel: Why High Karat Gold Wears Differently
Gold is naturally dense, and the higher the karat (i.e. the more pure gold it contains) the more substantial it feels. High karat jewelry is literally heavier than lower-karat pieces, giving it a grounded, intentional presence. This makes thoughtful craftsmanship especially important, ensuring each piece feels significant without compromising comfort or fit, so it can be fully enjoyed for both its weight and its wearability.
Try it on for yourself and feel the difference at our private jewelry studio in Santa Monica or one of our reputable retailers.
Color: The Natural Greenish-Gold Hue
Our California 20k gold has a soft, natural greenish-gold tone, created by the specific metals alloyed with the gold. We stay as close as possible to the natural composition of raw California Gold, only adjusting slightly to ensure it is suitable for jewelry. The result is a warm, earthy, and timeless gold that is:
Not bright or brassy yellow
Not rose or orangey
Not the standard commercial ‘gold’ color
Things to Consider When Choosing High Karat Gold
1. Cost
High karat gold costs more because you are getting more real gold, rather than filler metals. It carries more inherent worth.
2. Softness and Surface Patina
High karat gold is naturally softer. It will develop a surface patina more readily than lower karats—a softened, lived-in surface character unique to how you wear it. We view this as a feature, not a flaw, as it reflects the life of the wearer in a really special way, deepening the meaning of the piece over time upholding its one-of-a-kind nature.
And while it is not a fit for every piece (delicate designs being the primary exception) this is not to say that high karat gold doesn’t last. We specialize in high karat fine jewelry design and have developed techniques to ensure our pieces endure for everyday wear and will last to be passed down. How we accomplish this:
A proprietary strengthening process applied in fabrication
Bolder, thicker, more substantial structural designs
We will always honestly advise on which metals and karats are most appropriate for the design at hand.
Full Traceability: The California Gold Difference
Most jewelry gold travels through a global, opaque supply chain where environmental and human impacts are difficult to fully assess, verify or manage.
Our California Gold is fully traceable and comes from:
Our placer gold mine in the Sierra Nevada foothills, one of the only fully-permitted operations in California
Our family’s claim on the Yuba River
Longstanding partnerships with neighboring small-scale miners
This direct sourcing ensures:
Responsible environmental stewardship
Ethical labor practices
A direct connection between land, maker, and wearer
Why We Work With High Karat Gold
We believe jewelry should hold meaning not only in how it is given, but in what it is made of and where it comes from.
Our high karat California 20K Gold jewelry collection uniquely offers:
Deep natural beauty
Substantial presence
Traceable origin
A story rooted in real place and real heritage
Whether you have questions about our process, would like to try on a piece, or explore a custom design—we are here to help. Get in touch with us and we’ll quickly find a time to connect in person or virtually!