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22K vs 24K Gold: What's the Difference?

Last updated 28 July 2026

The number before the "K" (karat) tells you how pure the gold is. Pure gold is 24 karat; lower karats mix in other metals for strength.

24K gold (99.9% pure)

24K, also stamped 999, is the purest investment-grade gold, used for coins, bars and digital gold. It is soft and scratches easily, so it is rarely used for intricate jewellery. Today the 24K rate is about ₹14,425/g (pre-GST).

22K gold (91.6% pure)

22K, stamped 916, is 91.6% gold with 8.4% alloy for durability - the standard for Indian jewellery. At today's rates 22K works out to roughly ₹13,226/g.

Which should you buy?

• For investment: 24K coins/bars - maximum purity, easy to value and resell.
• For jewellery you'll wear: 22K - holds designs and stones far better.
• For diamond or daily-wear pieces: 18K (75%) is harder still.

Whatever you choose, compare the gold rate today across jewellers first - the per-gram rate can differ by ₹50-150.