Difference Between Gold Carats

Posted by Nigam Ashru on July 4th, 2022

We all are well aware that the purity of gold is measured in terms of carat. Carat is the unit that is used to measure the purity of gold. The higher the carat in a gold item, the purer the gold in it would be. Be it moulded into coins, bars or precious jewellery; gold is available in a variety of carats, and these carats are used differently.

Here’s a simple guide that will help you understand the difference between all varieties of gold carats available:

24K Gold

The 100 per cent pure gold is 24 carat gold, as it doesn’t include any traces of other metals. It is said to be 99.9 per cent pure in the market and has a distinct bright yellow colour. As it is the purest form of gold, it is naturally more expensive than other types.

22K Gold

The 22 carat gold is commonly used in making regular jewellery. 22K means that 22 parts of the metal amount to gold and the rest two parts are some other metals that make the texture of gold harder, thus making the metal durable.

In 22K gold, only 91.67 per cent is pure gold. The remaining 8.33 per cent consist of metals like silver, zinc, nickel or other alloys. Although it is used in making plain gold jewellery, 22K gold isn’t preferable form to make any heavy studded gold jewellery. It is because diamonds and other precious gemstones have their weights while 22 karat gold is softer than these stones and is incapable of holding them firmly through the daily use of the jewellery piece. This form of gold is often found in a lot of wedding jewellery and other items that are worn occasionally.

18K Gold

18 carat gold comprises 75 per cent pure gold mixed with 25 per cent of other metals like copper or silver, etc. Highly suitable for making studded and diamond jewellery, 18k gold is less expensive as compared to 24K and 22K. This type of gold has a rich yellow tone with a slightly dull shade that makes it absolutely desirable for exquisite gold and diamond jewellery pieces.

14K Gold

14 carat gold is produced from 58.3 per cent pure gold and a 41.7 per cent mixture of other metals like copper, zinc, silver and nickel. With only 14 parts of gold out of 24, it’s usually less expensive than other higher karats of gold. The presence of a higher amount of alloyed metals makes 14K gold more resistant to wear and tear. And as it is harder and more durable, it is ideal for making daily-wear jewellery, especially for an active lifestyle. It is also less likely to cause any skin allergies.

Which is the best one?

So, which type of gold is best for your jewellery? Honestly, there is no such thing as ‘the best type of gold’ for anyone. It merely depends on what kind of jewellery you are going for and how often will you be wearing it! While choosing the gold for a wedding ring or daily wear chain, it’s essential to keep in mind a few other factors such as your skin sensitivity, lifestyle and aesthetic taste. It’s also important to shop with a budget in mind. 

All of the above forms of gold have their own uniqueness and desirability. So whether you decide to go for 14K or 24 carat gold, the only thing that matters is that you make a purchase worth it because gold will glitter anyway!