Gold karat explained
Gold purity is described in two ways:
- Karat (K). A scale that counts how many parts of an item are gold out of a fixed total. The top of the scale means pure gold. Each step down means less gold and more other metals.
- Fineness. A stamped figure that shows gold content in parts per thousand. A higher fineness number means more gold.
Both describe the same thing. Fineness is more exact, and it is what most refiners, banks and international markets use. Karat is the term most jewellers and buyers in Pakistan use day to day.
Alloy means a mix of metals. Jewellery gold is gold mixed with silver, copper, zinc or other metals. Purity tells you what share of the weight is actually gold. That share is what gives the piece its metal value.
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Karat to fineness: the main grades
The table shows the common grades. Look for the exact karat and fineness stamped on the item, or shown on a test report. Enter that value in the calculator below instead of relying on a general label.
| Grade | Typical stamp | Gold share | Common use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest karat (fine gold) | Fineness mark at the top of the scale | Practically all gold | Bars, coins, investment gold | Soft and scratches easily. Rarely used for jewellery that is worn every day |
| High jewellery karat | Fineness mark just below fine gold | Large majority gold | Traditional jewellery in Pakistan and South Asia | Deep yellow colour. Softer than lower grades |
| Middle karat | Middle fineness mark | About three quarters gold | European-style jewellery, stone settings | Harder. Holds stones well. Comes in white and rose colours |
| Lower karat | Lower fineness mark | Under two thirds gold | Everyday rings, watches, imported pieces | Durable and cheaper per gram. Lower metal value |
In searches like "22k vs 24k gold", buyers are usually comparing the high jewellery karat with fine gold. Fine gold has a higher gold share, so it has more metal value per unit of weight. The jewellery grade gives up some purity so the piece can be worn and keep its shape.
Why jewellery is not pure gold
Pure gold is very soft. If a necklace, bangle or ring were made from fine gold, it would bend, stretch and scratch in normal use. Thin chains would break, and claws holding stones would open. Jewellers add other metals for these reasons:
- Strength. Copper and silver make the metal harder, so the shape and the stone settings hold.
- Colour. Copper gives a reddish tone (rose gold). Silver, palladium or nickel give white gold. More copper deepens the yellow.
- Workability. Soldering joints, casting fine detail and setting stones are easier with an alloy.
- Solder. Joints often use a solder of lower purity. This can reduce the average purity of the whole piece slightly.
The trade-off is that you pay for weight that is partly not gold. When jewellery is sold back, buyers usually pay for the gold content and deduct for impurities and wastage. Making charges are rarely refunded. The page on Bars, Coins, Jewellery covers these costs.
Hallmarks: how purity is stamped
A hallmark is a stamp on a gold item that states its purity. A full hallmark can include:
- A fineness or karat mark. The purity figure, sometimes followed by "K".
- An assay or testing mark. Shows that an independent office or lab tested the metal.
- A maker's or jeweller's mark. Identifies who made or sold the piece.
- Other marks. Some systems add a year letter or a unique ID.
Hallmarking practice in Pakistan is not uniform. Many pieces carry only a jeweller's own stamp, which is a claim rather than independent proof. A stamp can also be faked or worn away. In practice:
- Ask for a written receipt that states the karat, the weight and the price per unit.
- For larger purchases, ask for a test at a lab using X-ray fluorescence (a non-destructive machine test).
- Bars and coins from known refiners usually show fineness, weight, refiner name and often a serial number. Keep any certificate that comes with them.
Practical testing methods are described in Check Gold Purity.
Calculate gold value by weight and purity
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.
The calculator works out the value of the gold content. You enter four things:
- Weight of the item.
- Unit: gram, troy ounce, tola, baht, luong and others. The Ounce, Tola and Gram page explains how they relate.
- Purity: the karat or fineness from the stamp or test report.
- Price of fine gold per unit. Type the price you have from a source you trust, or use the configured feed if one is shown.
The result is weight multiplied by gold share multiplied by price. It does not include making charges, wastage, dealer margin or taxes. A jeweller's selling price or buy-back offer will differ from it. This page does not show a live gold price. To learn how quoted prices are formed, see How Gold Price Is Set and Gold in Pakistan.
Purity and other forms of gold
Karat and hallmarks matter only when you hold physical metal. Paper and digital gold products track a price instead. Some of them are leveraged CFDs (contracts for difference, where you trade price changes without owning the metal). With leverage, losses can grow fast and can exceed what you expected to risk. Read Physical vs Paper Gold and Risk management before using any of them. For an overview of the topic, start at Gold.
Frequent questions
What does the top carat grade mean for gold purity?
It is the top of the karat scale: practically pure gold. Bars and coins usually show the exact fineness, which is more precise than the karat label.
What is the difference in "22k vs 24k gold"?
Fine gold has the highest gold share. The jewellery karat contains a small share of other metals to make it harder. Per unit of weight, fine gold has more metal value. The jewellery grade is more practical to wear.
Is a jeweller's stamp proof of purity?
Not on its own. A jeweller's stamp is the seller's claim. An independent assay mark or a lab test report is stronger evidence.
How is gold purity checked in Pakistan?
The common methods are machine testing with X-ray fluorescence, the touchstone and acid tests, and fire assay for bars. See Check Gold Purity.
Why does a buy-back offer differ from the calculator result?
The calculator values only the gold content at the price you typed. Dealers deduct for impurities, solder and their own margin, and they set their own buying price.
Does higher karat mean better jewellery?
Not in every sense. Higher karat means more gold per gram. Lower karat is harder and holds stones better. The right choice depends on how the piece will be used.