When buying or selling gold, you will often see terms like 18K, 22K, and 24K. But what do these numbers actually mean? In this article, we explain everything you need to know about gold purity.
What Does “K” Mean in Gold?
The letter “K” stands for Karat. Karat is a unit used to measure the purity of gold. The higher the karat number, the purer the gold.
24 Karat Gold
24K gold is the purest form of gold available. It contains 99.9% pure gold with almost no other metals mixed in. It is very soft and not ideal for jewelry, but it is perfect for investment purposes such as gold bars and coins.
22 Karat Gold
22K gold contains 91.6% pure gold. The remaining 8.4% consists of other metals like silver or copper. This makes it harder and more durable, making it ideal for jewelry.
18 Karat Gold
18K gold contains 75% pure gold. It is more affordable than 22K and 24K gold and is very popular for rings, necklaces, and bracelets.
Which Gold is Best for Investment?
For investment purposes, 24K gold is the best option because of its high purity. For jewelry, 22K or 18K gold is more practical.
Use our Gold Calculator to instantly find out the value of any karat gold at today’s live market rates.
