Those of you who know me well know that when I put my mind to doing something important, I go full-on nerd with it. I research, I read, bug people in the know, research some more, compare research, etc. I take notes. And usually the higher the stakes, the more research goes in, the more notes are taken, the more people are bugged. This not all together unusual human behaviour, but it does lead you down the path of some interesting and unexpected revelations.

While searching for the perfect "ring" (I am not wearing an engagement ring and instead am going to get just one to represent both), I read up on gold and gemstones and all that jazz. As it turns out, Australia jewellers only use 9 carat gold or 18 carat gold. It is impossible to walk into a store in Australia and ask for any other carat gold.

I was befuddled by this standard. 9 carat gold, while harder, is far less durable than 18 carat gold. It's got less gold in the mix, meaning it's scratch resistant, but also tends to tarnish more quickly and trigger higher instances of allergic reactions in people with sensitivities to certain alloys. And while that might not bother some folks, getting it made as an everyday-all-day wedding ring is ill-advised.

By comparison, 18 carat gold is purer, softer, and far more durable. And, because of the higher gold content, it's way more expensive. Just about double the price, as the numbers imply. The result is you either have a very affordable material that's pretty crap for wedding ring wear, or you drop many many dollars on extra good gold. The lack of a "middle" ground confuses me greatly.

I still haven't figured out why this is the Australian industry standard; this does not appear to be information willingly shared with the lay person. Overseas, 14 carat gold is far more common, and is probably the most common material used in wedding rings these days. That's probably because it's pretty in-between hardness and durability, and it's more affordable than the 18 carat stuff.

Doesn't that drive away people who are happy with 14 carat gold into buying rings from overseas? I mean, what with the internet these days and all, you're not locked into your local market if you really don't want to be! It's definitely an interesting choice, and I wonder what the rationale is for the 9/18 exclusivity here; I'm absolutely sure there is an explanation that makes sense, I just haven't encountered it yet!

If you've got some pro knowledge about why this is the situation in Australia (or if I'm somehow misinformed), I'd love to hear it!