• Source:JND

We Indians love Gold–be it any festival or any auspicious occasion, Indian families rush to buy gold either in the form of jewellery or bullion. Meanwhile, one thing they all need to ensure is purity, and the official unit for measurement of purity for the yellow metal is Karat (K). 24 Karat gold is considered the purest gold, as the karat system operates on a fractional scale of 24 parts. When you buy a 24, 22 or 18 karat stamp, it simply tells how many of those 24 parts are completely pure gold, and how many parts are alternative alloy metals like copper, silver, nickel, or zinc. 

Why Is Gold Measured in Karats?

Gold is measured in karats because trading 100 per cent pure gold is not possible, as it is naturally too soft, malleable, and delicate. A 100 per cent pure gold could not be easily shaped into fine jewellery. 

So, to bring it to a practical design, jewellers must melt it down and blend it with stronger alloy metals. The karat system was created as a universal mathematical standard to clearly tell buyers exactly how much real gold remains inside that hardened metallic blend.

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Gold Karat Chart: Understanding 24K, 22K, 18K, 14K, and 10K

Karat Rating

Gold Purity %

Parts Ratio (Out of 24)

Common Hallmark Stamps

Best Used For

24K Gold

99.9% Pure

24 Parts Gold

999

Investment bars/bullion/coins.

22K Gold

91.6% Pure

22 Parts Gold/2 Parts Alloy

916

Intricate traditional/bridal jewellery.

18K Gold

75.0% Pure

18 Parts Gold/6 Parts Alloy

750

Diamond/stone jewellery, watches, wedding bands.

14K Gold

58.3% Pure

14 Parts Gold/10 Parts Alloy

585

Everyday jewellery, rings, active wear.

10K Gold

41.7% Pure

10 Parts Gold/14 Parts Alloy

417

Budget-friendly, scratch-resistant jewellery.

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Which Gold Karat Is Best for Jewellery?

There is no specific answer to it. A buyer has options to match the karat on the basis of lifestyle, design preference, and budget. However, 18K to 22k gold is considered a good choice in Jewellery. 

  • 18K or 22K Gold- If you prioritise a bright, warm, and highly prestigious yellow-gold colour, the 22K gold could be a good choice for it. Meanwhile, 18K could be a slightly cheaper option with the same features. 

  • Choose 14K Gold- Jewellery of this purity is considered good for daily wearing as they are tough against scratches, highly resilient to daily impacts. 

Does Higher Karat Mean Better Quality?

I think higher karat only means higher purity and value. It does not necessarily offer better quality, as quality in jewellery depends on the artisan's craftsmanship, design, and stone settings. 


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