Different Gold Karats Explained: 18K, 20K, 22K, 24K

Gold has been an integral part of Indian culture since ancient times. It has been part of major Indian festivals and wedding ceremonies. Gold is both a symbol of wealth and purity. 

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The precious yellow metal is most widely used as jewellery for its luxurious appeal. Gold jewellery and gold coins come in various karats depending on their purity. The higher the karat the purer and costlier the commodity.

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What does karat mean?

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Karat is a unit that measures the fineness or purity of gold metal. The karat number represents the weight of the fine metal in proportion to the total weight of the commodity, including alloy metals.

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Since pure gold is a very soft metal, it can’t be worn as jewellery in its purest form. To make gold wearable for jewellery, it is alloyed with other metals, like zinc, copper, silver, and nickel. 

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This mixture of gold with various alloys defines the karat size. Physical gold, such as jewellery, bars, or coins, can be purchased in various karats—9K, 10K, 14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, and 24K.

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Understanding Various Gold Karats & Gold Purity

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Learn what all different types of karat sizes of gold mean: 

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24K (100% gold)

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24-karat gold is the purest form of gold. It is soft and has no additional alloy metals. It has 99.9% gold and is very soft, which means it can be easily moulded.

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As the purest form of gold, it stands out as the most valuable investment option for investors. Investing in gold is one of the most lucrative investment options. 

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With technological advancements, investors can now make digital gold investments. Digital gold is nothing but gold in electronic form. 

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It is a much safer and better option to invest in digital gold, as there is no hassle of storage fees and zero possibility of theft. 

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22K (91.7% gold)

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22 karat is a composition of 91.7% gold and 8.3% alloy additives. 22-karat gold jewellery is the most precious and expensive. 

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It has the highest composition of gold, with roughly 8% alloy metals, which make the jewellery resilient and long-lasting.

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Due to its higher concentration, 22K gold jewellery has more intricate details and is suitable for occasional wear.

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18K (75% gold)

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18K gold is a blend of 75% gold metal and 25% alloy metals like silver and copper. Due to its high gold ratio, 18-karat gold is suitable for making precious and luxurious jewellery.

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18K gold jewellery is slightly more expensive than 9K, 10K, and 14K jewellery due to its higher gold composition. 

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14K (58.3% gold)

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14 karat is a blend of 58.3% gold and 41.7% other alloy metals. It is a bit more expensive than 10K gold and is also ideal for everyday jewellery options. 

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Its composition has a higher rate of gold compared to other metals. 14-karat gold is most commonly used in making engagement rings and heritage jewellery because of its appeal and durability. 

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10K (41.7% gold)

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10 karat gold comprises 41.7% gold metal and 58.3% alloy metals like zinc, copper, and silver. This form of gold doesn’t scratch or dent as easily compared to 24K pure gold. 

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A 10-karat gold jewellery is cheaper and suitable for everyday wear. It is used in making chains and earrings.

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9K (37.5% gold)

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9 karat gold is a combination of 37.5% gold with 62.5% alloy metals, namely, silver, copper, zinc, and nickel. This combination makes jewellery durable and resistant to scratches, wear, and tears.

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