Gold Karat Guide
What is 24K, 22K, 21K and 18K Gold?
Understanding gold karats — purity, hallmarks, durability, and which karat is right for jewellery vs investment.
Gold Karat Comparison Table
| Karat | Hallmark | Purity | Colour | Best For | Dubai VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 999 / 999.9 | 99.9% | Vivid yellow | Investment bars, coins, electronics | Zero-rated (0%) |
| 22K | 916 | 91.67% | Rich yellow | Traditional jewellery, bridal sets | 5% |
| 21K | 875 | 87.5% | Yellow | South Asian jewellery, bangles | 5% |
| 18K | 750 | 75% | Yellow / White / Rose | Fine jewellery, diamond rings | 5% |
| 14K | 585 | 58.5% | Lighter yellow | Western markets, sports jewellery | 5% |
Each Karat Explained
24K Gold — The Purest Form
24K gold contains 99.9% pure gold with no alloying metals. Its vivid, deep yellow colour is unmistakable. Because it has no hardening alloys, 24K is very soft — a fingernail can scratch it. This makes it unsuitable for most jewellery but perfect for investment bars, coins, and electronic components. In Dubai, 24K investment gold is VAT zero-rated. You'll find 24K gold bars from 1g to 1kg at the Gold Souk and licensed dealers.
22K Gold — The Jewellery Standard
22K gold (hallmark 916) is 91.67% pure gold alloyed with 8.33% copper and silver. It's significantly harder than 24K, making it workable for jewellery without losing much of gold's characteristic colour. 22K is the dominant karat in Dubai Gold Souk — most necklaces, bangles, earrings, and anklets are 22K. It's popular across India, Pakistan, and the wider South Asian diaspora. When you resell 22K jewellery, buyers know exactly what they're buying.
21K Gold — South Asian Favourite
21K gold (hallmark 875) is 87.5% pure, with 12.5% alloy. It is harder than 22K, making it better for intricate filigree work and detailed designs. Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, and some Indian buyers particularly favour 21K. The slightly lower gold content gives 21K a marginally lower price per gram than 22K, making large jewellery sets more affordable.
18K Gold — Fine Jewellery Standard
18K gold (hallmark 750) is 75% pure gold, 25% alloy. The higher alloy percentage creates a noticeably harder metal — ideal for rings, especially those with diamond and gemstone settings. 18K also opens up white gold (rhodium-plated) and rose gold (copper-rich alloy) possibilities. Branded jewellery from European houses (Cartier, Tiffany, Bulgari) typically uses 18K.