Gold purity explained: 24k, 22k, 18k and 14k

What a karat means

Karat describes how much of an alloy is pure gold, out of 24 parts. Pure gold is 24 karat, and lower karats are mixed with other metals such as copper, silver and zinc to add strength.

Common purities

• 24k: about 99.9% gold. Rich in colour but soft, so it is used mainly for coins and bars rather than everyday jewellery.
• 22k: about 91.6% gold. A deep, warm colour that is traditional for jewellery in India, and still soft enough to need some care.
• 18k: 75% gold. A strong balance of purity and durability, and the usual choice for diamond and gemstone jewellery because it holds stones securely.
• 14k: about 58.3% gold. Harder and more affordable, and well suited to very active wear.

Which should you choose?

For pieces set with stones, or worn daily, 18k is a dependable choice. For plain chains, bangles and traditional pieces where colour matters most, 22k is popular. Higher purity is not automatically better: the right purity depends on how the piece will be worn.

Colour and alloys

Yellow, white and rose gold come from different alloys, not different kinds of gold. The karat still tells you how much of the metal is pure gold.

Check the hallmark

Look for the hallmark stamped on the piece. It confirms the purity, and it is the easiest way to be sure of what you are buying.