24K vs 22K vs 18K Gold — Price Difference Per Gram Explained (2026)
With gold at $4,750/oz in 2026, the gap between 24K and 18K gold is over $38 per gram. We explain exactly how karat purity affects price, which karat to buy for investment vs jewellery, and how to verify what you're paying.
The Karat Price Difference in Numbers (April 2026)
With the international gold spot price at approximately $4,750 per troy ounce in April 2026, here is what you pay per gram for each major karat purity:
| Karat | Purity | Hallmark | Price/gram (USD) | Price/gram (INR) | Price/gram (PKR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 999 | $152.70 | ~₹15,284 | ~₨43,400 |
| 22K | 91.67% | 916 | $140.00 | ~₹14,010 | ~₨39,780 |
| 21K | 87.5% | 875 | $133.60 | ~₹13,375 | ~₨37,975 |
| 20K | 83.33% | 833 | $127.25 | ~₹12,740 | ~₨36,165 |
| 18K | 75% | 750 | $114.53 | ~₹11,465 | ~₨32,550 |
| 14K | 58.33% | 585 | $89.07 | ~₹8,920 | ~₨25,290 |
| 10K | 41.67% | 417 | $63.63 | ~₹6,373 | ~₨18,066 |
The price difference between 24K and 18K is approximately $38 per gram at current prices. On a 20-gram piece of jewellery, that's a $760 difference — purely from the karat choice.
How Karat Purity Is Calculated
The karat system divides gold purity into 24 parts. Pure gold is 24 karats = 24/24 = 100% gold. The formula for pricing any karat:
Price = (Spot Price ÷ 31.1035) × (Karat ÷ 24) × Weight in Grams × Exchange Rate
For example, 22K gold contains 22 parts gold out of 24, or 91.67%. So 22K gold per gram = 24K price per gram × 0.9167.
Hallmark numbers are the decimal version of this fraction, rounded:
- 999 = 24K (999 parts per 1000 = 99.9%)
- 916 = 22K (916 parts per 1000 = 91.6%)
- 875 = 21K
- 750 = 18K
- 585 = 14K
- 417 = 10K
24K Gold — The Investment Standard
24-karat gold is 99.9% pure gold with virtually no other metals. It is the international standard for:
- Investment gold bars (from 1g to 400oz London Good Delivery bars)
- Gold coins (Canadian Maple Leaf, Australian Kangaroo, Chinese Panda)
- Traditional Asian jewellery (Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese styles)
- Gold ETFs and digital gold products (all backed by 99.9% pure gold)
Downside for jewellery: 24K gold is very soft (Vickers hardness ~30), making it prone to scratches and deformation in everyday wear. This is why 24K jewellery is rare in Western markets.
22K Gold — The South Asian Jewellery Standard
22K gold (91.67% pure, 8.33% alloy — typically copper, silver or zinc) is by far the most popular jewellery standard in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Gulf states. The alloy addition provides significantly greater hardness (enabling intricate designs) while keeping the gold content high enough to retain its traditional prestige value.
In India and Pakistan, wedding jewellery sets, bangles, and traditional ornaments are almost universally 22K. The hallmark 916 is stamped on all certified 22K jewellery.
18K Gold — The Western Fine Jewellery Standard
18K gold (75% pure) is the dominant standard for fine jewellery in Europe, North America, and Australia. It offers a balance of:
- Sufficient gold content for a rich yellow colour
- High hardness (suitable for setting diamonds and gemstones without risk of deformation)
- Better value for money than 22K for fashion-oriented pieces
White gold (18K) is created by alloying with palladium or white metals, then often rhodium-plated. Rose gold (18K) uses a higher copper alloy content for the characteristic pink hue.
Which Karat Should You Buy?
For investment: 24K bars or coins. Maximum gold content, easiest to resell at spot price globally.
For South Asian jewellery: 22K. Best balance of purity, durability, and cultural authenticity.
For Western fine jewellery: 18K. Industry standard; best for gem-set pieces.
For fashion jewellery (budget): 14K or 10K. Lower gold content but more durable and less expensive.
How to Verify the Karat You're Buying
In 2026, all reputable gold sellers provide:
- A physical hallmark stamp on the piece (999, 916, 750 etc.)
- A receipt showing weight, karat, gold rate, and making charges separately
- In India: a BIS Hallmark (Bureau of Indian Standards) which is mandatory since 2021 for any gold above 2 grams
- In UAE: Dubai Municipality hallmark
Use our free gold calculator to verify that the price quoted to you matches the current spot price for your karat and weight.
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