What is the Difference Between 22 Karat and 24 Karat Gold?

When buying gold, you’ll often hear terms like 22 karat or 24 karat around you. But what do they actually mean? Whether you're shopping for jewelry or investing in gold, understanding the difference between these two purities is essential. Let us break it down for you in this blog!

What Does “Karat” Mean

Gold karat (abbreviated as "K" or "Kt") is a measure of the purity, indicating the proportion of pure gold in a piece of jewelry or an item. In India, gold is measured based on the karat scale which ranges from 0 to 24. The zero karat denotes that gold is impure. On the other hand, 24K gold is the highest possible quality of gold.

Often gold is mixed with other metals like silver, copper, or zinc to enhance its strength and durability, as pure gold (24K) is too soft for daily wear. The karat system helps buyers and jewelers understand how much pure gold is present in an item.

The widely bought gold is 22K and 24K, so let’s understand what they mean in the next section.

What is 22K Gold

22 Karat or 22K is commonly used to make jewelry or ornaments often by mixing the other metals to strengthen the gold. It is a type of gold that contains 91.6% pure gold, with the remaining 8.4% made up of other metals like copper, silver, or zinc.

What is 24K Gold

24K or 24 Karat of gold is the purest form of gold, which consists of 99.9% of gold with no significant presence of any other metal. This type of gold has a rich, bright yellow color and is highly valued for its purity. However, due to its softness and malleability, 24K gold is not commonly used in everyday jewelry, as it can bend easily and prone to scratches. Instead, it is often used for investment purposes in the form of gold bars and coins.

22 Karat Vs 24 Karat of Gold

Here are some differences you must know before buying or investing in gold:

Gold Karat and Purity

Check out the table below for gold purity level:

Now that we have understood the difference between 22 and 24 karat of gold. Another question that often comes to mind is why 22 karat of gold preferred more when compared to 24 karat? Let’s understand that in the next section.

Why 22K of Gold is Preferred Over 24K

22K gold is often preferred over 24K gold for several reasons:

• Durability: 22 karat of gold are more durable when compared to 24 karat of gold as it consists of 91.67% of gold and 8.33% of other metals. This strengths 22K of gold for daily wear, reducing wear and tear.
• Workability: 22k purity of gold is easy to work with for the jewelry makers, allowing for more designs and finer details.
• Cost: The cost of 22K gold is more affordable when compared to 24K, due to the purity of gold.
• Cultural Preference: 22K gold is given more importance in some cultures, particularly in India and the Middle East, for jewelry and ornaments. 

To Conclude

Both 22K and 24K gold serve different purposes. While 24K gold boasts the highest purity, its softness makes it less practical for everyday jewelry. On the other hand, 22K gold, with its alloy mix, is stronger and more durable, making it a preferred choice for jewelry. Cultural preferences, workability, and affordability also contribute to the widespread adoption of 22K gold. Therefore, when purchasing gold, you should consider their usage, whether durability for ornaments or purity for investment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How are gold prices determined? 

The rate of gold is determined based on several various external factors, such as fluctuation in the currency exchange rate, demand and supply, inflation, interest rates, geographical events etc.

2. Why is 24 karat of gold not used for making jewelry?

The 24 karat of gold is not used for making jewelry because it’s the purest form of gold which is soft in nature, delicate and cannot resist wear and tear.

3. Can I get a loan against my gold jewelry?

Yes, you can get a loan against your gold jewelry. These are called Gold Loan, where you pledge your gold as collateral and receive funds in return.