What Is Gold Karat?
Karat (K) refers to the purity of gold. Pure gold is commonly described as 24K, which contains approximately 99.9% gold. Other karat levels contain gold mixed with metals such as silver, copper and other alloys to improve strength and durability.
Here is a simple comparison of common gold karats:
| Gold Karat | Approx. Gold Purity | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | Coins, bars and investment gold |
| 22K | 91.6% | Traditional jewellery |
| 20K | 83.3% | Some jewellery |
| 18K | 75% | Diamond and contemporary jewellery |
| 14K | 58.5% | Modern jewellery |
| 10K | 41.7% | Some international jewellery |
In general, the higher the karat, the higher the percentage of gold contained in the item.
24K Gold
24K gold has the highest purity among commonly available gold types. Because pure gold is relatively soft, it is generally more suitable for coins and bars than for everyday jewellery.
22K Gold
22K gold has approximately 91.6% gold purity. The remaining portion consists of other metals that help improve the strength and durability of the jewellery.
22K gold is commonly used for traditional jewellery in India, including chains, bangles, necklaces and other ornaments.
18K Gold
18K gold has approximately 75% gold purity. The additional alloy content makes it harder and suitable for many contemporary and diamond jewellery designs.
Does Higher Karat Always Mean a Higher Price?
Not necessarily when comparing different jewellery products. The value of gold depends on several factors, including:
Purity × Net Gold Weight × Applicable Gold Rate
For example, 10 grams of 22K gold contain more pure gold than 10 grams of 18K gold. Therefore, the purity of each item needs to be considered before estimating its value.
The applicable gold rate can also change depending on market conditions, so the current rate is another important factor when evaluating gold.
Know Your Gold Karats Before Selling
If you want to know your gold karats, understanding the difference between 24K, 22K and 18K is only the first step. You should also understand how the buyer determines the purity, net weight and applicable gold rate before arriving at the final value.
When selling old gold, ask the buyer:
- What is the purity of my gold?
- What is the net gold weight?
- What gold rate is being applied?
- Are there any deductions?
- What is the final amount I will receive?
How Can Akshra Gold Help You Get a Transparent Price?
When selling old gold, understanding karat is important, but it is equally important to understand how the purity, weight and price of your gold are determined.
According to Akshra Gold, the company provides gold buying services that include purity testing using an XRF machine, weighing and valuation based on applicable gold prices. The company states that customers can observe the purity testing process and understand the valuation of their gold.
A transparent process can make it easier for customers to understand how their offer has been calculated.
1. Purity Testing
Your jewellery needs to be checked for gold purity before its value can be properly assessed.
According to Akshra Gold, it uses an XRF gold testing machine and conducts the testing in the presence of the customer.
2. Accurate Weighing
Weighing is another important step when evaluating gold. The buyer needs to determine the eligible gold weight that will be considered for valuation.
Jewellery may contain stones, beads or other non-gold components, so the total jewellery weight may not always represent the eligible gold weight.
3. Current Gold Rate
Gold prices can change regularly. According to Akshra Gold, its valuation process uses live gold prices.
Knowing which gold rate is being used is important because the applicable rate directly affects the calculated value of your gold.
4. Clear Calculation
A transparent gold-buying service should allow you to understand how your gold is priced.
Before accepting an offer, ask:
- What is the purity?
- What is the net weight?
- What gold rate is being used?
- Are there any deductions?
- What is the final amount to be paid?
This helps you understand how the final value of your gold has been calculated.
Why Transparency Is Important When Selling Gold
Two gold buyers may provide different offers for the same piece of jewellery. Differences can arise because of variations in purity assessment, applicable gold rates, eligible weight or deductions.
That is why you should not compare gold buyers based only on the price per gram.
Instead, compare the complete final valuation and understand how the buyer arrived at the amount.
A transparent gold buyer should explain the calculation clearly before you decide whether to proceed with the transaction.
Sell Your Gold With Better Understanding
Whether you have 22K bangles, 22K chains, 18K diamond jewellery, old rings, broken ornaments or other gold products, understanding the purity is an important first step in determining their value.
Before selling your gold, ask the buyer to check the purity, net weight and applicable gold rate and explain how the final price is calculated.
With its stated live XRF testing, live-rate valuation and transparent gold-buying process, Akshra Gold aims to help customers understand how their gold is priced before completing the transaction.
Know Your Gold Karats. Know Your Gold Value.
If you want to know your gold karats, start by understanding the purity difference between 24K, 22K, 18K and other karat levels. Then consider the net gold weight and applicable gold rate to understand how your jewellery is valued.
Know your purity. Know your weight. Know your rate. Then know the value of your gold.