Gold's weight or purity is measure in Karat. A high Karat gold signifies the high purity of gold. The different purity of gold is used to make various gold based items such as bars, coins, jewellery etc.
Here’s a detailed guide that will help you understand the difference between 24K, 22K and 18K gold:
24K gold
A 24 Karat gold is 100 per cent pure gold and does not have any other metal mixed.
In the local market, it is known as 99.9 per cent pure and has a distinct bright yellow color. The 24 karat gold is more expensive than 22 or 18 Karat gold. It is soft and pliable and that's why not used in making regular forms of jewellery.
The 24K gold is used to make coins, bars and is also used in electronics and medical devices.
22K gold
The 22 Karat gold is mostly used in making jewellery. In 22K gold, 22 parts of the metal are gold and rest two comprises of metals like silver, zinc, nickel, and other alloys. It is also known as 91.67 per cent pure gold. Mixing alloys makes the texture of gold harder and hence jewellery becomes durable.
18K gold
The 18 Karat gold comprises of 75% gold mixed with 25% of other metals such as copper, silver, and other alloys. This type of gold is used to make stone studded jewellery and other diamond jewellery. It is less expensive compared to 24K and 22K gold.
All the gold coins, bars or jewellery has its purity marked into it. You should always buy jewellery that has Hall Mark and purity inscribed on them.
- What are the applications of 24-karat gold?
24-karat gold is 100% gold and does not contain any other metal mixed with it. Because of its excellent purity and a distinct bright yellow color, 24-karat gold is more expensive than 22 or 18-karat gold. While it is widely used to make gold bars, coins, electronic devices, and medical equipment, 224-karat gold is not used to make jewellery items owing to its soft and pliable nature. - What type of gold is mostly used in making jewellery?
The 22-karat gold is prominently used in designing jewellery items. Since this kind of gold comprises 92% gold and 8% other metal alloys like silver, zinc, nickel, and allied, 22-karat gold makes durable and sturdy pieces of jewellery. - Which type of gold is ideal for daily use?
Daily usage requires you to wear jewellery that is durable and sturdy in nature for which 22-karat gold is ideal because of the presence of alloys like copper, zinc, and silver in it. 22-karat gold is 91.6% gold and the rest metal alloys, which ensures its hardness. - What is 18-karat gold used for?
18-karat gold is 75% gold and 25% alloy metals, which makes it durable and hard. So, 22-karat gold is widely utilized for making rings, watches, and allied wearable jewellery. Its rich yellow look makes it perfect for engagement rings and similar jewellery items.
FAQs
This is typically expressed in terms of karats. For example, 22K gold has 22 parts of pure gold and 2 parts of other metals out of a total of 24 parts. Gold purity can also be expressed in terms of a percentage. For instance, 22K gold is 91.6% pure gold, 18K gold is 75% pure gold, and 14K gold is 58.3% pure gold.
What is the purity of gold 22 carat or 24 carat? ›
4: What is the difference between 24-karat gold and 22-karat gold? Ans: In contrast to 22k gold, which contains 8.3% other metals like copper or silver and 91.7% gold, 24k gold is considered pure gold because it contains 99.9% gold.
What is the purity of 18 carat gold in India? ›
What is the 18-carat gold purity percentage? Carat measures the purity of gold, and the higher the carat, the more gold the item contains. 18-carat gold is an alloy consisting of 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts of other metals like silver, zinc, nickel, or copper. Therefore, the 18-carat gold purity percentage is 75%.
How can you tell the difference between 18k and 24k gold? ›
Difference in Appearance
24k gold is always a vivid, bright yellow. 18k gold comes in a wide range of colors, as it is an alloy, a metal mixed with other metals. Some common colored gold that is available in 18k purity includes rose gold (gold and copper) and white gold (usually nickel and gold).
Which gold is best in India? ›
The highest purity of gold items is commonly known as 24K, the global standard for the highest purities of both gold and silver products is designated as 999.9 fine, and your MMTC-PAMP purchases are guaranteed to consistently meet these standards.
Should I buy 18k or 22K gold? ›
Thus, whenever you're purchasing gold for investment purposes primarily, it is advisable to opt for higher purity such as around 22k as it carries an intrinsic value and will be hypoallergenic compared to 18k or 14k gold. If you prefer to get a pure set of gold, then 22k should be your best choice.
Why is Indian gold so yellow? ›
In the United States, gold is often alloyed with metals such as silver, copper, and zinc to strengthen it and make it more durable. These alloys can give the gold a more white or pale yellow appearance. However, in India, gold is often alloyed with copper and silver, which can give the gold a more yellow appearance.
Which gold is best to buy? ›
However, 24k gold will be the best option for investment because it is 99.9% pure gold. Even though 24k gold is not durable and scratches easily, it carries a bigger inherent value than 22k gold (only 91.67% gold).
Which country gold is best quality? ›
Dubai holds the honor of being the country (more accurately, an independent city-state in the UAE) with the purest gold. Not far behind are a few other countries well known for producing gold of exceptionally high purity. Bangkok, Thailand: Before it was Thailand, it was named Siam, the Sanskrit word for gold.
Can 18 carat gold be worn everyday? ›
While you can use 18k gold every day, it is not the gold caratage most suitable for everyday use. For example, you should remove your jewellery when engaging in activities where they're likely to contact hard surfaces. You should not keep 18k gold rings on when lifting weights.
18 karat gold is purer and, well, more gold than 9 karats, so it's always best to opt for 18 karats if you can. It doesn't tarnish, it's more durable and because it costs more, it'll be worth more in the long run. Conversely, 9-karat gold contains a higher proportion of other metals so it will tarnish over time.
Can you wear 22K gold everyday? ›
Wearing 22K gold earrings every day is generally considered safe and practical for several reasons, but there are also some factors you might want to consider: Advantages: Hypoallergenic: Gold is less likely to cause allergic reactions compared to other metals, making it suitable for long-term wear.
What karat gold is best for everyday use? ›
Advantages: Most jewelers and consumers love 14k gold for its perfect balance of durability, affordability, and appearance. It's a bright gold that can handle everyday wear. Disadvantages: There is the potential for allergic reactions to the alloy like with 10k gold.
Can you wear 24k gold everyday? ›
Theoretically 24k gold jewelry can be worn every day since it's very good for sensitive skin and is very tarnish resistant. However, it is not the most practical jewelry to wear daily because of its weight, high value and lack of durability against everyday wear and tear.
Is it better to buy 22K or 24K? ›
In case you want to buy gold as an emergency fund or investment (or probably for diversifying your portfolio), then you should opt for 24K gold. It contains 99.9% gold while 22K contains 91.7% gold. When you buy a 24K gold bar or coin, make sure there it has hallmark certification for ensuring its purity.
Is 18k gold worth buying? ›
Is 18k gold worth the extra money? 18k gold is a popular choice for jewelry due to its durability and beauty. It contains 75% pure gold, making it more valuable than 14k or 10k gold. The extra money spent on 18k gold can be worth it if you're looking for a high-quality piece that will last.
Which is more valuable 18k or 24K gold? ›
The price of gold depends on its purity, measured in karats or KT. The highest karat gold is 24K or pure gold. As pure gold is the highest quality, 24K gold is generally more expensive than 18K gold.
