Gold Karat Comparison Guide
From 24K investment-grade pure gold to practical 18K fine jewellery, every karat has a specific purpose. This guide explains what each karat is, where it's used, how much it costs relative to spot, and which one makes sense for your situation.
What Is a Karat?
A karat (abbreviated K or kt) measures the proportion of pure gold in a piece of metal. The scale is based on 24 equal parts: 24K means all 24 parts are gold (theoretically 100% pure, practically 99.9%+). 18K means 18 parts are gold and 6 parts are other metals. The remaining metals — copper, silver, zinc, palladium — are called alloys and are added to improve hardness, colour, or workability.
Do not confuse "karat" (gold purity) with "carat" (diamond weight). Despite sharing the same word in many languages, they measure completely different things. In British and Commonwealth English, "carat" is used for both — context determines meaning. In American English, "karat" specifically denotes gold purity.
Every piece of gold jewellery or bullion sold in regulated markets must bear a hallmark stamp identifying its karat purity. In the UAE, the Dubai Precious Metals Council (DPMC) oversees mandatory hallmarking. The numeric equivalent of the karat stamp is the millesimal fineness — the parts per thousand that are pure gold. A 22K piece is hallmarked 916 (91.6 parts per 100, or 916 per 1,000). A 24K piece is hallmarked 999.
24K Pure Gold
24K gold (999 fine, 99.9% pure) is the purest form of gold commercially available. Its colour is deep, vivid yellow — unmistakably golden and more saturated than any alloyed form. Pure gold does not tarnish, rust, or corrode. It is chemically inert under normal conditions, which is one reason it has been used as money and a store of value throughout human history.
From a physical standpoint, 24K gold is soft (roughly 30 on the Vickers hardness scale, compared to 150+ for steel). This makes it easy to work with for minting bars and coins but impractical for most wearable jewellery. Investment bullion — 1g, 5g, 10g, 100g, and 1kg bars from certified refiners — is overwhelmingly 24K. Major brands include PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, Emirates Gold, and bars certified by the DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre).
In UAE, 24K investment gold is VAT-exempt under the Federal Tax Authority's zero-rating for qualifying precious metals. This is a significant benefit: a 100g bar at 280 AED/gram saves 1,400 AED compared to jewellery (which attracts 5% VAT). Use our gold calculator to see the current metal value of any 24K piece.
22K — Gulf Jewellery Standard
22K gold (916 fine, 91.67% pure) is the dominant jewellery karat across the GCC. Dubai's Gold Souk price boards, Riyadh's jewellery markets, and the souks of Kuwait and Muscat all use the 22K rate as their primary reference. When Gulf buyers say "gold price," they typically mean the 22K gram rate.
The appeal of 22K is its combination of high gold content and sufficient workability. The approximately 8.3% alloy (usually copper) raises the hardness enough for craftsmen to produce fine bangles, chains, and earrings that hold their shape over years of wear. Yet the gold content remains high enough that a 22K piece looks and feels unmistakably like gold — both to the eye and to the hand.
Traditional Gulf bridal gold — known as mahr or shabka in different countries — is almost always 22K. Sets can include elaborate necklaces, multiple bangles, earrings, and rings, collectively representing significant financial value as well as cultural meaning. Buying and gifting 22K gold at milestone events (weddings, births, Eid) is deeply embedded in GCC culture across all demographics.
Making charges for 22K jewellery in Dubai range from approximately 5 AED/gram for simple machine-made designs to 40+ AED/gram for intricate handcrafted pieces. These charges are negotiable at traditional souks but typically fixed at mall-based retailers.
21K — Traditional Arab Gold
21K gold (875 fine, 87.5% pure) is the standard karat in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and many other Arab countries outside the Gulf. It is slightly less pure than 22K, which increases hardness a little further and allows for somewhat more intricate detailing in jewellery designs.
In UAE markets, 21K is commonly available in souks and retailers that serve Egyptian, Levantine, and South Asian communities. The price per gram is approximately 87.5% of the 24K rate — proportionally less than 22K — making it slightly more affordable per gram while still providing high gold content. For buyers comparing 22K and 21K: the difference is modest (about 4 percentage points of purity), and the practical difference in appearance is minimal.
If you purchase 21K jewellery in the GCC and plan to sell or appraise it in Western markets, be aware that 21K is not a recognised standard in Europe or North America. Jewellers in those markets may test and revalue the piece at the nearest recognised karat (18K or 22K), which could affect what you're offered. Within the Arab world and Southeast Asia, 21K is well understood and easily resold.
18K — Fine Jewellery
18K gold (750 fine, 75% pure) is the international fine jewellery standard and the most widely used karat in European and luxury markets. Its hardness — approximately 120–150 HV depending on the alloy mix — makes it significantly more durable than 22K or 24K, enabling styles and constructions that would be impossible in softer gold. Pronged settings for diamonds and precious stones, delicate filigree, and tension settings all require 18K or harder alloys.
18K is also available in coloured variants that are not achievable at higher karats. White gold (18K with palladium or silver alloy) and rose gold (18K with copper-heavy alloy) are popular in fine jewellery collections worldwide. The lower gold content means the raw metal cost per gram is about 75% of the 24K rate, but making charges for 18K pieces are often higher than 22K because the designs tend to be more complex and labour-intensive.
In the GCC, 18K is the preferred karat for diamond jewellery and pieces designed in Western or contemporary styles. High-end retailers in Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and branded boutiques sell primarily 18K collections alongside luxury watch brands. Traditional souk buyers who prioritise gold content over design complexity typically prefer 22K.
14K and Below
14K gold (585 fine, 58.3% pure) is the most common jewellery karat in the United States and is popular across Europe. It offers excellent durability — harder than 18K due to the higher alloy proportion — at a significantly lower cost per gram. The lower gold content also means it's less yellow and more muted in appearance compared to 22K or 24K, which is a style choice for many Western buyers.
In GCC markets, 14K is relatively uncommon and occupies a niche primarily served by imported Western jewellery. Gulf consumers generally prefer higher gold content as a cultural and investment preference, which is why 22K dominates. However, 14K pieces from international brands (Tiffany & Co., Cartier entry-level, etc.) are available at mall retailers and duty-free shops in GCC airports.
Below 14K, you'll find 10K (41.7% pure, popular in some markets) and 9K (37.5%, common in the UK). These are generally not sold in GCC gold souks. Very low-karat pieces are sometimes referred to as "gold-filled" or "gold-plated" in other markets — these are entirely different products where gold is only a surface coating, not the base metal.
Comparison Table
| Karat | Purity % | Gold per gram | Common Use | Typical Making Charge | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 0.999g | Investment bars, coins | 0.5–3% premium | ~30 HV (soft) |
| 22K | 91.7% | 0.917g | Gulf jewellery standard | 5–40 AED/g | ~90 HV |
| 21K | 87.5% | 0.875g | Arab/Egyptian jewellery | 5–35 AED/g | ~100 HV |
| 18K | 75.0% | 0.750g | Fine jewellery, diamond settings | 10–60 AED/g | ~120–150 HV |
| 14K | 58.3% | 0.583g | Western everyday jewellery | Varies widely | ~120–150 HV |
| 10K | 41.7% | 0.417g | Budget jewellery (US market) | Varies widely | ~150+ HV |
To calculate the live metal value of any karat, use our gold calculator. It automatically applies the current spot price so you can see exactly how much metal value is in any piece.