Karat tells you how much of a piece is pure gold. 24 karat is nearly pure. Lower karats mix gold with other metals, such as copper and silver, which makes it harder and changes its colour.
How pure each karat is
- 24K: 99.5% gold or more (hallmark 24K995). Coins and bars are often 99.9% (marked 999).
- 22K: 91.6% gold (hallmark 22K916).
- 18K: 75% gold (hallmark 18K750).
- 14K: 58.5% gold (hallmark 14K585).
These are the grades used in BIS hallmarking.
24K: for coins and bars
24K gold is soft. It bends and scratches easily, so it is rarely used for jewellery. It is the usual choice for gold coins and bars, which carry much lower making charges than jewellery.
22K: for most traditional jewellery
22K is the standard for Indian jewellery: necklaces, bangles, chains and wedding sets. It keeps a rich yellow colour and is strong enough for everyday wear. Most jewellery rates you see quoted are for 22K.
18K: for diamond and stone-set pieces
18K is harder, so it holds stones securely and suits rings, studs and light pieces for daily wear. Its colour is slightly paler, and it costs less per gram because it contains less gold.
How the prices compare
The price of each karat follows its gold content. On Gold Bhav:
- 22K = 24K × 22 ÷ 24, about 91.7% of the 24K rate
- 18K = 24K × 18 ÷ 24, or 75% of the 24K rate
So if 24K is ₹14,000 per gram, 22K is about ₹12,833 and 18K is ₹10,500. Shops can differ a little from this. See today's rates and the rate history.
Which should you choose?
- Wedding and traditional jewellery: 22K.
- Diamond or stone-set jewellery, and pieces for daily wear: 18K.
- Gold to keep rather than wear: 24K coins or bars from a trusted seller, because almost all of what you pay is for the gold itself.
This is general information, not investment advice. Whatever you choose, check the hallmark: see how to check a hallmark.
Resale
When you sell, shops pay for the gold content at the rate for that purity, minus their deduction. A 22K piece is valued at the 22K rate and an 18K piece at the 18K rate. Making charges are not paid back.
Sources
- Bureau of Indian Standards, Brief on Hallmarking Scheme, updated 1 October 2026 (purity grades)