What a karat measures
A karat (also written carat in Pakistan, or shortened to K) is a measure of gold purity. Do not confuse it with the carat used to weigh diamonds.
The scale runs up to “24K”, which means pure gold with no other metal mixed in. A lower karat means a smaller share of gold and a larger share of alloy, the other metals such as copper, silver or zinc that are mixed in to change hardness and colour.
Weight and purity are separate. A tola of “21K” jewellery weighs the same as a tola of “24K” bar, but it contains less pure gold. Weight units are covered in Tola, masha and ratti.
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“24K, 22K and 21K” compared
| Karat | Gold content | Hardness | Typical use in Pakistan |
|---|---|---|---|
| “24K” | Pure gold, the top of the scale | Soft, scratches and bends easily | Bars, biscuits, coins, held as savings |
| “22K” | High gold share, small share of alloy | Harder than “24K”, still fairly soft | Traditional jewellery, bridal sets, bangles |
| “21K” | Slightly less gold than “22K”, more alloy | Harder and more durable | Everyday jewellery, chains, rings |
Lower karats are also sold, mainly for pieces set with stones, where a harder metal holds the setting better. They are less common in the traditional sarafa market.
Why jewellery is rarely “24K”
Pure gold is too soft for most jewellery. Thin chains stretch, prongs bend and bangles lose shape. Jewellers add alloy to make the piece last. That is why “22K” and “21K” dominate jewellery shops, while “24K” is mostly bought in bar or biscuit form.
Colour
Pure gold has a deep yellow colour. As the share of alloy rises, the colour changes. More copper gives a redder tone and more silver gives a paler one. Colour alone is not a reliable purity test, because alloy mixes can be adjusted to imitate a richer shade.
How the “24 karat, 22 carat and 21 karat gold rates” relate
Sarafa markets usually quote a rate for “24K” gold per tola and per gram. Rates for “22K” and “21K” are generally lower in proportion to their lower gold content. Some dealers also add or deduct a margin of their own.
In practice:
- “24 karat gold rate”: the reference rate, applied to bars, biscuits and the pure gold content of any item.
- “22 carat gold rate”: a lower rate for “22K”, reflecting the alloy share.
- “21 karat gold rate”: lower again, because “21K” contains less gold than “22K”.
We do not publish a daily rate on this page. Check the current rate with your local sarafa association or a dealer you trust, and note the date and time of the quote. How the daily rate is formed is explained in How gold rate is set.
To work out the value of a piece from its weight and karat at a rate you type in, use the calculator:
Fill in the empty fields to see the result.
| Karat | Fineness, ‰ | Price per gram at this purity |
|---|
Value = grams × purity (karat / 24) × price per gram of pure gold. 1 troy ounce = 31.1035 g, 1 tola = 11.6638 g, 1 baht = 15.244 g, 1 luong = 37.5 g. Shops add making charges and buy back below the selling price.
Choose the unit (gram, tola, troy ounce and others), enter the weight, select the purity and type the per-unit price you were quoted. The result is the value of the gold content only. It does not include making charges.
Making charges and resale
A jewellery bill normally has two parts: the gold value, based on weight, karat and rate, and the making charges (labour). When you sell back, many shops pay only for the gold content and may deduct a further amount for impurity or wastage. This is why the resale value of jewellery is often well below its purchase price. Details are in Making charges and resale.
Hallmarks and stamps
A hallmark is a stamp on the metal that states its purity, and sometimes the maker or testing centre. Common forms are:
- a karat mark such as “22K” or “21K”;
- a fineness mark showing parts of pure gold per thousand;
- a maker's or shop's mark.
In Pakistan, hallmarking practice is not uniform across shops and cities. A stamp on its own shows what the maker claims. It does not prove that the piece was tested independently. Ask for a written receipt that states the weight, the karat and the rate used, and keep it. Rules on hallmarking and dealer obligations can change. Check the current position with the relevant authority or your sarafa association before relying on a stamp.
How gold purity is tested
| Method | How it works | Damage to item | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Touchstone (kasauti) | The item is rubbed on a dark stone and acid is applied to the streak | Very light surface mark | Traditional and quick. Accuracy depends on the tester's skill. |
| Acid test | Acids of known strength are applied to a scratch | Small scratch | Separates broad karat ranges. Less precise for close grades such as “21K” and “22K”. |
| XRF machine ("karat meter") | X-rays read the metal composition at the surface | None | Common in sarafa markets. Reads the surface only, so plated or filled items can mislead it. |
| Fire assay | A sample is melted and the gold is separated and weighed | Destroys the sample | The most accurate method. Used for bars and refining, not for everyday jewellery checks. |
| Density (water) test | Weight in air is compared with weight in water | None | Can flag hollow or filled items. Stones and solder affect the result. |
For a large purchase or sale, getting a second test from an independent testing lab is a reasonable precaution.
Gold for saving, zakat and tax
Karat matters beyond the shop. For zakat, what counts is the pure gold content you hold, so the karat of your jewellery affects the calculation. See Zakat on gold. Tax treatment is covered in Gold and tax, and a wider overview is in Gold in Pakistan.
Physical gold is different from gold price instruments traded on screens. Leveraged products that follow the gold price can lose money fast, and they give you no metal. Read Metals and Law and regulators before considering them.
Frequent questions
Which is purer, “22K” or “21K” gold?
“22K” is purer. It contains a larger share of gold and less alloy than “21K”.
Is “24K” gold used for jewellery in Pakistan?
Rarely. It is too soft for most pieces. “24K” is mostly sold as bars, biscuits and coins.
Why is the “21 karat gold rate” lower than the “22 carat gold rate”?
Because “21K” jewellery contains less pure gold per tola or gram. The rate follows the gold content, with any dealer margin added.
Does a “22K” stamp prove purity?
No. A stamp is the maker's claim. Ask for a receipt that states the karat, and have the item tested if the amount is significant.
Is a karat meter test accurate?
It is accurate for the surface of solid items. It can be misled by plating or by a different metal inside, so a touchstone or assay check can still be useful.
Where can I find today's “24 karat gold rate”?
Ask your local sarafa association or a trusted dealer for the current quote and note its date. You can then use the calculator on this page to value your gold at that rate.