Gold purity is measured in karats (also spelled carats) or fineness (parts per thousand). 24 karat means 24/24 — pure gold. Every other karat is an alloy.
The conversion table
| Karat | Purity | Fineness mark | Color tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 999 | Bright yellow |
| 22K | 91.6% | 916 | Rich yellow |
| 21K | 87.5% | 875 | Yellow |
| 18K | 75.0% | 750 | Soft yellow |
| 14K | 58.3% | 585 | Pale yellow |
| 10K | 41.7% | 417 | Very pale |
The remaining percentage is usually a mix of silver, copper, palladium, or zinc — chosen to give the alloy hardness and a specific color tone.
Why pure 24K isn't always the answer
Pure gold is extremely soft. You can scratch a 24K ring with a fingernail. It dents from normal wear within weeks. That's why 24K is mostly used for:
- Investment bars and coins (no daily wear, only stored)
- Wedding gifts in tradition-heavy markets (worn on special occasions only)
- Religious objects
It is not a practical choice for daily-wear jewelry.
22K — the Gulf and South Asian standard
In the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, India, and Pakistan, 22K is the dominant choice for jewelry. It retains the rich yellow color that buyers in these markets associate with "real gold," while being just hard enough for daily wear.
- Resale value: Excellent. 22K is universally recognized and easy to sell back to jewelers.
- Wear: Will scratch over years but holds up to normal use.
- Best for: Bangles, necklaces, wedding sets, investment-jewelry hybrids.
21K — the Egyptian and Levantine standard
Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria use 21K as the default. It's slightly harder than 22K, retains a similar color, and is cheaper per gram than 22K of the same weight.
- Resale value: Strong within the region; slightly weaker outside it.
- Wear: A touch more durable than 22K.
- Best for: Everyday jewelry in MENA markets.
18K — the European, American, and luxury-brand standard
Cartier, Tiffany, Van Cleef — virtually every Western luxury house uses 18K. It's hard enough for intricate settings (especially with diamonds), holds its polish for decades, and is the international standard for "fine jewelry."
- Resale value: Lower per gram than 22K (less gold per gram), but luxury brand premium can offset this.
- Wear: Excellent durability.
- Best for: Engagement rings, diamond settings, designer pieces.
14K and 10K
Common in the US for everyday fashion jewelry. Cheap, hard, durable, but the gold content is low enough that resale value is modest.
How to choose
Ask yourself two questions:
-
Am I buying jewelry or investment?
- Pure investment → 24K bars or coins, not jewelry.
- Jewelry to wear → 22K (Gulf/Asia) or 18K (luxury/Europe).
-
How important is resale value to me?
- High → 22K, in your region's standard purity.
- Low (it's sentimental) → any karat that matches the look you want.
What to verify when buying
- The hallmark stamp (999, 916, 875, 750…) on the piece.
- A certificate from the jeweler stating weight and karat separately from making charges.
- The shop's reputation — established jewelers in regulated markets (Dubai Gold Souk, Saudi gold markets) cannot legally underdeclare karat without severe penalties.
Use our calculator to verify the spot value of any karat at any weight in your local currency before you negotiate.