Gold Karat Guide
Karat measures gold purity in 24 parts: 24K is pure gold, 22K is 22/24 gold (91.6%), 18K is 75% and 14K is 58.5%. Higher karat means more gold, a deeper yellow and a higher price per gram, but softer metal, which is why 22K and 18K dominate jewellery and 24K is kept for coins and bars.
Live gold price per gram by karat (USD)
| Weight & purity | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 24K gold · 1 gram | live |
| 22K gold · 1 gram | live |
| 21K gold · 1 gram | live |
| 18K gold · 1 gram | live |
| 14K gold · 1 gram | live |
| 10K gold · 1 gram | live |
International spot equivalent of the gold content in one gram of each karat, before making charges, premiums and taxes.
Karat, purity and fineness at a glance
| Karat | Gold content | Fineness mark | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 999 (or 995) | Bars, coins, investment |
| 22K | 91.6% | 916 | Indian and Gulf wedding jewellery, sovereigns |
| 21K | 87.5% | 875 | Middle East and Pakistan jewellery |
| 18K | 75.0% | 750 | Diamond and gem settings, European fine jewellery |
| 14K | 58.5% | 585 | US engagement rings, everyday wear |
| 10K | 41.7% | 417 | Budget US jewellery, class rings |
| 9K | 37.5% | 375 | UK and Commonwealth budget jewellery |
Karat (spelled carat in the UK, not to be confused with the carat used for gemstone weight) is a fraction: purity = karat ÷ 24. Fineness expresses the same thing in parts per thousand. Note that 14K is 58.33% in strict arithmetic, but the standard mark is 585 so that the alloy is never below 14/24 after manufacturing tolerances. The same logic explains 916 for 22K, discussed in what 916 gold means.
What the rest of the metal is
Whatever is not gold is an alloy of other metals that sets the colour and hardness:
- Yellow gold: gold with silver and copper, sometimes a little zinc. The lower the karat, the paler the yellow.
- Rose or pink gold: a higher share of copper. Common in 18K and 14K.
- White gold: gold with palladium, nickel or silver, usually plated with rhodium for a bright white finish. The plating wears and needs renewing every few years. Nickel can cause skin reactions in some people.
Colour does not indicate purity on its own. A deep yellow 18K piece and a pale 22K piece can both be genuine; only the hallmark and a test confirm the content.
Durability: the trade-off
Pure gold is very soft. A 24K ring bends and scratches easily, and fine filigree or stone settings would not hold. Alloying hardens the metal:
- 22K and 21K are soft enough for intricate hand work and still robust for necklaces, bangles and earrings that are not knocked about constantly.
- 18K is the usual minimum for holding diamonds securely in claws and is the luxury standard in Europe.
- 14K and below are the most scratch-resistant and suit rings and chains worn every day, but contain far less gold for resale.
Which karat to buy for what
| Purpose | Sensible choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Saving or investment | 24K bars or coins | Lowest premium over the gold value, easy to price and resell |
| Wedding and traditional jewellery in India | 22K hallmarked | High gold content, accepted for exchange at most jewellers |
| Gulf or Pakistani style jewellery | 21K or 22K | Local standard, so easiest to exchange in those markets |
| Diamond or gemstone jewellery | 18K | Holds stones; most branded diamond jewellery is made in 18K |
| Daily-wear ring or chain | 14K or 18K | Resists wear; lower cost per piece |
How karat changes the price
The gold value of a piece is the 24K rate multiplied by the purity. Suppose the Indian 24K rate, with duty, is ₹13,400 per gram (illustrative). Then:
- 22K: ₹13,400 × 0.916 = ₹12,274.40 per gram
- 21K: ₹13,400 × 0.875 = ₹11,725 per gram
- 18K: ₹13,400 × 0.75 = ₹10,050 per gram
- 14K: ₹13,400 × 0.585 = ₹7,839 per gram
Making charges are often higher as a percentage on 18K and 14K pieces because they carry more design work, so the saving on lower-karat jewellery is smaller than the purity gap suggests. When you sell, the buyer pays only for the gold content, valued at the day's rate minus a deduction. Run your own numbers with the karat purity calculator or see live karat prices: 24K, 22K, 18K and 14K.
Regional karat preferences
What counts as normal jewellery gold depends on where you buy. India, Malaysia and Singapore lean on 22K (916); the Gulf states, Egypt and Pakistan widely use 21K alongside 22K and 18K; Italy and much of Europe work mainly in 18K; the US market is dominated by 14K and 10K; the UK sells a great deal of 9K. Hong Kong and mainland China have a strong tradition of near-pure 24K jewellery, sold as 999 gold. Buying in the local standard makes resale and exchange easier in that market.
Marks to look for
In India, the BIS hallmark shows the grade as karat plus fineness, for example 22K916 or 18K750, with a six-character HUID (see BIS hallmark and HUID). In the UK, hallmarks carry the millesimal fineness (375, 585, 750, 916, 999) with an assay office mark. In the US there is no compulsory hallmarking; jewellery is stamped 10K, 14K or 18K by the maker, and 10K is the lowest that can legally be sold as gold there. A stamp alone is a claim, not proof; how to check gold purity covers testing.