Why Your 22K Ring is Scratched
The "Clay" Problem: Gold is naturally as soft as lead. 22K is 91.6% pure gold. Just gripping a steering wheel or opening a door handle is harder than the gold itself, causing instant scratches.
The Diamond Danger: Never put large diamonds in 22K gold. The prongs are too soft and will peel back over time, causing you to lose the stone.
The 18K Solution: 18K (75% Gold) contains 25% other metals (copper/silver) which creates a crystal structure harder than iron. It's the only safe choice for daily-wear diamonds.