Gold Karat Guide
A practical guide to 24K, 22K, 18K, 14K and other common gold karat markings.
Karat is a traditional way to describe the proportion of gold in an alloy. Pure gold is represented as 24 parts out of 24, while lower-karat items contain a greater proportion of other metals.
Common karat levels
24K is used for very high-purity gold. 22K contains roughly 22 parts gold out of 24, 18K contains 18 parts, and 14K contains 14 parts. Exact legal tolerances and hallmarking rules can vary by jurisdiction.
Lower-karat alloys can be harder and more practical for daily-wear jewelry because pure gold is relatively soft.
Karat is not carat
Karat with a K describes gold purity. Carat with a C is a unit of gemstone weight. The words sound similar but measure different things.
Buying jewelry
Check the hallmark, seller reputation, return policy, workmanship and total price rather than judging an item only by karat. The retail price of jewelry can include substantial design, labor and brand value beyond the gold content.
Key takeaway
The best gold decisions usually come from understanding the product, the price components, the risks, the seller or custodian, and the purpose the gold serves in your plan. Compare multiple sources and verify important details independently.