Gold Purity Chart: 24K 22K 18K 14K - Complete Guide

Gold Purity Chart: 24K 22K 18K 14K – Complete Guide

Gold Purity Chart: 24K 22K 18K 14K – Complete Guide for Sellers

Gold purity determines exactly how much of your jewellery is actual gold – and therefore how much cash you receive when you sell. Understanding the gold purity chart is the single most important step before selling any gold ornament.

This guide explains every purity level, the BIS hallmark codes on your jewellery and how purity directly impacts your resale value.

At a Glance

24K gold purity999 – 99.9% pure gold
22K gold purity916 – 91.6% pure gold
18K gold purity750 – 75.0% pure gold
14K gold purity585 – 58.5% pure gold
Most Indian jewellery22K (916) hallmark
XRF test at AtticaConfirms exact purity
Last UpdatedMay 2026

Complete Gold Purity Chart

KaratFineness% Pure GoldBIS HallmarkRate Today (per g)Common Use
24K99999.9%999₹15,250Gold coins, bars, investment
23K95895.8%958₹14,619Rare; some traditional jewellery
22K91691.6%916₹13,965Most Indian jewellery
20K83383.3%833₹12,703Some traditional/antique pieces
18K75075.0%750₹11,438Diamond jewellery, white gold
14K58558.5%585₹8,921Western jewellery, some modern
10K41741.7%417₹6,360Rare in India
9K37537.5%375₹5,719Not common in India

How to Find Your Gold’s Purity

·       BIS hallmark on your jewellery – look for the 6-digit HUID and the purity code (916, 750, etc.)

·       XRF (X-ray fluorescence) test – the most accurate method; takes 30 seconds at the branch

·       Acid test – older method; less common now that XRF is standard

·       Stamping alone – not always reliable; XRF gives the final definitive reading

How Purity Affects Your Resale Value

A 10g necklace at 22K yields ₹1,39,690 today. The same 10g piece at 18K yields ₹1,14,375 – a difference of ₹25,315. Knowing your purity before selling prevents being underpaid. Formula: Cash Value = Weight (g) × (Purity / 24) × Today’s 24K Rate.

What Purity to Expect by Jewellery Type

Jewellery TypeTypical PurityWhy
Bangles (Indian traditional)22K (916)High purity preferred for gifting
Necklaces (Indian)22K (916)Traditional preference
Mangalsutra22K (916)Auspicious traditional piece
Diamond ring/solitaire18K (750)Durability for stone setting
White gold jewellery18K (750)Rhodium plated for white appearance
Gold coins24K (999)Investment grade
Gold bars24K (999)Investment grade
Antique/vintage pieces20K–22KOlder crafting standards

Why Choose Attica Gold Company

Attica Gold Company is ISO 9001:2015 certified with 200+ branches across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Pondicherry. Your wait is over.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purity of 22K gold?

22K gold is 91.6% pure gold – it has 22 parts gold and 2 parts alloying metals (usually copper and silver for strength). The BIS hallmark code is 916.

How do I check gold purity at home?

The most reliable way is to visit a gold buyer or jeweller for XRF testing. At home, look for BIS hallmarks stamped on the jewellery (916 = 22K, 750 = 18K, 999 = 24K).

Is 22K or 24K gold better for resale?

24K gold gives a higher per-gram payout (since it is 100% gold), but most Indian jewellery is 22K. At resale, each is paid at the correct rate for its actual purity as tested by XRF.

What does the BIS hallmark mean?

BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) hallmark certifies gold purity. The 6-digit HUID (Hallmark Unique ID) on BIS-hallmarked jewellery allows you to verify purity via the BIS Care app.

Can the acid test prove my gold is 22K?

The acid test can indicate approximate purity ranges but is less accurate than XRF. Attica Gold uses XRF for all purity testing.

Why does my antique jewellery test at 20K?

Older jewellery was often made to traditional standards (20K or 21K) before BIS hallmarking became standard. This is common and expected.

Does a higher karat mean more durable jewellery?

No – higher karat (more pure gold) is actually softer. 24K pure gold is the softest; 18K and 14K are more durable because of alloying metals. For resale, higher purity gives a higher per-gram rate.

Sell Gold for Cash

Get today’s live gold rate at your nearest Attica Gold branch

Visit a nearby branch for quick valuation, transparent pricing, and instant cash for your gold.

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