24K vs 22K vs 21K vs 18K gold: what's the difference?
Karat tells you how much of a piece is actually gold. It changes the price, the colour and how well jewellery survives daily wear.
Karat is parts out of 24
Gold purity is measured in 24ths. 24 karat means 24 parts out of 24 are gold; 22 karat means 22 parts gold and 2 parts other metals such as copper, silver or zinc.
| Karat | Gold content | Hallmark number | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 999 | Bars, coins, investment |
| 22K | 91.7% | 916 | Jewellery in South Asia |
| 21K | 87.5% | 875 | Jewellery in the Gulf and Pakistan |
| 18K | 75% | 750 | Diamond and designer jewellery |
| 14K | 58.5% | 585 | Everyday jewellery in the US and Europe |
Why not make everything 24K?
Pure gold is very soft: it scratches and bends easily, and stones can fall out of 24K settings. Mixing in other metals makes jewellery harder and lets jewellers create rose, white and yellow shades. That is why most jewellery is 22K or lower.
How karat changes the price
You pay for the gold content. A 10-gram 22K ring contains 9.17 g of gold; a 10-gram 18K ring contains 7.5 g. So 18K costs about 18% less per gram than 22K before making charges. Our gold calculator does the maths for any weight and karat.
Which karat should you choose?
- For saving or investment: 24K bars and coins hold the most gold per rupee and have the lowest making charges.
- For jewellery you will wear every day: 22K or 21K balances purity and strength; 18K is tougher still, especially with stones.
- For resale: higher karat usually resells closer to the gold value, but making charges are rarely returned.
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Calculate gold value by karatThis guide is educational and is not financial advice.
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Frequently asked questions
Is 22K gold real gold?
Yes. 22K is 91.7% gold, mixed with small amounts of other metals for strength.
What does 916 mean on gold?
916 means 91.6% pure: 22 karat gold.
Which is better, 21K or 22K?
22K has more gold (91.7% vs 87.5%) and costs more per gram; 21K is slightly harder and common in the Gulf.