Gold Karat & Purity Guide — What Every Buyer Should Know
Whether you're buying a gold ring, selling inherited jewelry, or investing in gold bars, understanding gold karats is essential. Karat tells you exactly how pure the gold is — and directly affects its value.
What Is a Karat?
A karat (abbreviated K or kt) measures the purity of gold. The scale goes from 1 to 24, where 24 karats = 100% pure gold. In practice, most gold items are alloyed with other metals to improve durability.
Karat Comparison Table
Karat | Purity | Hallmark | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
24K | 99.9% | 999 | Investment bars, coins |
22K | 91.6% | 916 | Coins, some jewelry |
21K | 87.5% | 875 | Jewelry (Gulf, Egypt) |
18K | 75.0% | 750 | Fine jewelry (Europe, USA) |
14K | 58.5% | 585 | Everyday jewelry (USA) |
10K | 41.7% | 417 | Budget jewelry (USA) |
9K | 37.5% | 375 | Jewelry (UK, Australia) |
What Do the Hallmarks Mean?
Hallmarks are official stamps on gold jewelry indicating purity:
999 = 24K (99.9% pure)
916 = 22K
875 = 21K
750 = 18K
585 = 14K
417 = 10K
375 = 9K
Which Karat Is Best for Jewelry?
Everyday wear: 14K or 18K — harder, more resistant to scratches
Special occasions: 21K or 22K — richer color, more prestigious
Investment: 24K — highest purity, most liquid globally
Which Karat Is Best for Investment?
24K gold bars and coins offer the purest form of investment. However, 22K coins like the South African Krugerrand or British Sovereign are also widely traded. Always buy from certified dealers.
How to Check Your Gold's Purity at Home
Look for hallmarks — Check for a stamped number (999, 750, etc.)
Magnet test — Real gold is not magnetic
Acid test — Use a gold testing kit (available online)
Professional appraisal — Most jewelers test for free
FAQ
Is 18K gold real gold? Yes — it contains 75% pure gold.
Why is 24K gold soft? Pure gold is naturally soft; alloys add hardness.
Does higher karat mean higher value? Yes, per gram — but not always per piece.