- YK as “Yellow Karat”: In jewelry, “Karat” (or “K”) refers to the purity of the gold. Gold is measured in karats, with 24 karats representing pure gold. When you see “YK,” it’s typically shorthand for Yellow Karat, indicating the gold is specifically yellow gold (as opposed to white gold or rose gold). This marking, when paired with a number (e.g., 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K), shows the purity level of the gold used in the jewelry.
For example:
- 10YK would be 10-karat yellow gold (41.7% pure gold).
- 14YK would be 14-karat yellow gold (58.3% pure gold).
- 18YK would be 18-karat yellow gold (75% pure gold).
- 22YK would be 22-karat yellow gold (91.6% pure gold).
- YK as a Brand or Designer: If the “YK” isn’t referring to the karat or purity of the gold, it could also be an abbreviation or logo representing a designer or brand. In this case, “YK” could stand for the initials of a jeweler or a designer’s name. One example could be Yves Kerloud, a brand name in the luxury jewelry world, though this isn’t as commonly seen.
- Context: The way “YK” is used may change depending on the context, whether it’s stamped on the inside of a ring, necklace, bracelet, or mentioned in a product description. If you come across “YK” in jewelry and you’re not sure if it’s referring to karat or a brand, look at the other surrounding details. A specific number (10K, 14K, etc.) after “YK” usually means karat.
If you have a specific piece of jewelry in mind, checking the full stamp or seeking out more context could help clarify its exact meaning!