What is 24K, 22K and 18K Gold?
Karat is a measure of how much of an alloy is actually gold. Here is what 24K, 22K and 18K mean in practice, and which one belongs in your purchase.
Karat (K) measures gold content out of 24 parts. Pure gold is 24 parts gold out of 24 — nothing else in the mix.
The three karats you will actually meet
24K gold — 99.9% pure. This is investment-grade gold: coins, bars and bank-sold bullion. It is also too soft to hold a claw setting or a clasp, which is why you almost never see a 24K necklace with stones in it.
22K gold — 91.6% pure. Twenty-two parts gold, two parts alloy (usually copper, silver or zinc). This is the Indian jewellery standard. It keeps a rich yellow tone while being durable enough for daily wear, and it is the karat most family jewellers quote by default.
18K gold — 75% pure. Eighteen parts gold, six parts alloy. Harder and more scratch-resistant, so it is preferred for diamond and gemstone jewellery, watches and contemporary designs. It is also where white gold and rose gold usually live, because the alloy content is what creates those colours.
How the price follows the purity
A jeweller's 22K rate is not an independent number — it is derived from the 24K benchmark by gold content:
- 22K ≈ 24K rate × 0.916
- 18K ≈ 24K rate × 0.750
So if 24K trades at ₹10,000 per gram, 22K works out to roughly ₹9,160 and 18K to ₹7,500 per gram, before making charges, wastage and GST.
Which one should you buy?
- Buying to invest? 24K coins or bars, or a paper alternative like a gold ETF. You are not paying for craftsmanship you cannot recover on resale.
- Buying jewellery to wear regularly? 22K in India, because resale value and cultural expectation both sit there.
- Buying stone-set or delicate designs? 18K, because the metal has to grip the stones.
Before you pay
Check the hallmark. Since the BIS mandate, hallmarked jewellery carries a six-digit alphanumeric HUID, the BIS mark, and the purity grade (916 for 22K, 750 for 18K). If the purity stamp and the rate you are being charged do not match, ask before you pay.
Frequently asked
Is 24K gold jewellery available in India?
Yes, but mostly as coins, bars or very simple ornaments. 24K is too soft for stone settings or intricate work, so most wearable jewellery is 22K or 18K.
Does 916 mean 22K?
Yes. The 916 hallmark means the item is 91.6% gold, which is 22 karats.
Disclaimer: Rates are indicative and may vary based on market conditions, local premiums, taxes, jewellery making charges and other applicable charges.