14K vs 18K gold grillz: which karat should you choose?
Once you've settled on gold over silver, the next question is almost always karat: 14K or 18K? Both are genuine gold alloys, both are cast from the same mould of your teeth, and both will hold up for years with basic care. The difference comes down to colour, weight and price — not quality. Here's what actually separates them.
Materials · Published · 7 min read
What the karat number actually means
Karat measures how much pure gold is in the alloy out of 24 parts. 14K gold is 14/24 pure gold (about 58%), mixed with other metals for strength. 18K gold is 18/24 pure gold (75%), so it carries a noticeably richer, warmer tone — closer to the deep yellow most people picture when they think of 'gold'. Neither number refers to purity of craftsmanship; both are solid gold alloys suitable for a grillz set, just with different proportions.
This also means 18K gold is naturally a little softer than 14K, since it contains less of the harder base metals. In a grillz set, which is removable and not under the daily pressure of a permanent filling, that softness is rarely an issue — but it's part of why some clients choose 14K for a set they plan to wear very frequently.
Colour and how it reads in person
Side by side, the difference is visible but subtle. 14K gold has a slightly paler, more yellow-gold tone with a touch more brightness under direct light. 18K gold reads deeper and warmer, with a richness that photographs particularly well under warm indoor lighting or candlelight. Neither is more or less 'icy' — that comes from stones, not karat — but the base metal tone does shift your overall look.
If you already own fine jewellery in one karat, matching your grillz to it can make everything feel considered rather than mismatched. Some clients bring a ring or chain to their mould appointment just to compare tones before deciding.
Weight and everyday feel
A higher gold content generally means a marginally denser piece per millimetre, so an 18K set can feel very slightly heavier in the hand than the same design in 14K. In the mouth, the difference is small enough that most clients don't notice it once the set is fitted and settled — fit and polish matter far more to comfort than the half-gram difference between karats.
Price per tooth
The price gap is the clearest practical difference. 9K gold starts at €250 per tooth, 14K sits at €350, and 18K is €450 per tooth. White, yellow and rose gold cost the same at any given karat — the price difference is purely about gold content, not colour. See the full table on our [prices page](/prices).
For a large set covering six or eight teeth, that per-tooth gap adds up quickly, which is why plenty of clients choose 14K for a bigger, bolder set and save 18K for a smaller, statement piece like a single tooth or a top-four.
So which should you pick?
If you want the richest, warmest gold tone and plan to wear a smaller set, 18K is the natural choice. If you want a larger set, a slightly brighter tone, or you're simply working to a tighter budget, 14K gives you genuine solid gold at a lower price per tooth without compromising on how the set is made or how long it lasts.
Both karats are available with or without stones, across every style we offer. Browse finishes on the [styles page](/styles), and when you're ready, book a mould appointment to see swatches in person before you commit.
Questions people ask
Is 18K gold better quality than 14K?
Neither is 'better' — they're both genuine solid gold alloys. 18K has more pure gold and a richer tone; 14K is slightly harder and costs less per tooth. Choose based on colour and budget, not quality.
Does 14K gold tarnish faster than 18K?
Both resist tarnish well with normal care. 14K contains more base metal so it's marginally more reactive, but a simple weekly clean keeps either karat looking sharp for years.
Can I mix 14K and 18K in the same set?
It's unusual since the tones differ slightly, but it's technically possible. Most clients pick one karat for visual consistency across the whole set.
Does karat affect how stones are set?
No, moissanite and lab or natural diamonds are set the same way regardless of karat — the setting technique depends on the stone and cut, not the gold purity.
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Tell us the teeth, the metal and your dates. We'll come back with a real quote and a realistic timeline.
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