22K vs 24K Gold: Which Should You Buy?
What “K” (karat) means
Karat measures gold purity out of 24 parts. 24K is 24 parts gold out of 24, or 99.9% pure. 22K has 22 parts gold and 2 parts other metals, which is about 91.6%. 18K has 18 parts gold, or 75%.
24K gold: best for coins and bars
Pure gold is very soft. It bends and scratches easily, so it is not suitable for everyday jewellery. 24K is best for coins and bars that you keep as an investment, because its value is easy to compare with the daily rate.
22K gold: the standard for jewellery
Adding small amounts of silver, copper or zinc makes gold hard enough to hold intricate designs. That is why most traditional jewellery, such as chains, bangles and temple jewellery, is 22K (916).
18K gold: studded and modern designs
18K is stronger and holds diamonds and gemstones better, and it costs less per gram. Many modern and lightweight designs use 18K. Note that its resale value per gram is lower because there is less gold in it.
How to compare the price
Price per gram follows purity: 22K costs about 91.6% of the 24K rate, and 18K about 75%. Check the live per-gram rates for each purity on our gold rate page and then add making charges to compare offers fairly.