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22K vs 24K Gold: What's the Difference?
Last updated 12 September 2026
Walk into any jewellery store in India and you will see rate boards showing both 22K and 24K prices. The difference seems simple — one is purer than the other — but the choice between them shapes everything from how much you pay, to how long your jewellery lasts, to how easily you can resell it later. This guide explains both purities in plain language.
Understanding gold purity: what "K" means
The letter K stands for karat, a unit of purity that tells you what fraction of the metal is pure gold. Pure gold is 24 parts gold out of 24 — hence 24K. 22K means 22 parts gold and 2 parts other metals. The number is not arbitrary; it maps to a precise fineness stamp (parts per thousand) that jewellers and BIS hallmarking use.
| Karat | Fineness | Gold % | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 999 | 99.9% | Coins, bars, digital gold |
| 22K | 916 | 91.6% | Traditional jewellery, bridal sets |
| 18K | 750 | 75.0% | Diamond-set, daily-wear pieces |
| 14K | 585 | 58.5% | International fashion jewellery |
24K gold (99.9% pure)
24K gold is the purest form commercially available. It carries the 999 fineness stamp and is the standard for investment products: minted coins (like MMTC-PAMP, government Sovereign Gold Bonds), gold bars, ETFs, and digital gold platforms. Because it is essentially undiluted metal, its value is straightforward to calculate and easy for any buyer worldwide to verify.
The downside is physical weakness. Pure gold is a soft metal — around 2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, roughly as hard as a fingernail. A plain 24K bangle will bend, dent and scratch with ordinary daily wear. Fine prong settings holding diamonds or gemstones would deform over time. For this reason, most traditional jewellers in India will not offer 24K wearable jewellery beyond plain chains or very simple bangles.
Today the 24K gold rate is ₹15,447 per gram (pre-GST, median across leading Indian jewellers).
22K gold (91.6% pure)
22K gold — stamped 916 — contains 91.6% gold and 8.4% other metals, typically silver, copper or zinc. This small alloy addition transforms the physical properties dramatically: 22K is significantly harder, holds intricate filigree work, retains prong shapes, and survives years of daily wear with far less deformation than 24K.
In India, 22K is the dominant jewellery purity. Virtually all traditional bridal sets, temple jewellery, Kundan and Polki pieces, and festive ornaments are made in 22K. When a jeweller quotes "the gold rate today," they almost always mean the 22K price. At current rates, 22K is priced at roughly ₹14,160 per gram — about 8.4% less than 24K, reflecting the lower gold content.
The alloy metals used in 22K are chosen carefully. Copper adds warmth to the colour and improves hardness; silver lightens the colour and adds ductility. A skilled alloy blend is what gives different jewellers' gold slightly different visual qualities, even at the same karat.
18K gold: the third standard you should know
18K (750 fineness, 75% gold) is increasingly popular in India for diamond jewellery, everyday rings, and contemporary designs. The higher alloy content makes it harder than 22K and better suited for complex stone settings. Its lower gold fraction also means a lower gold cost, so more of the piece's price reflects craftsmanship and stones rather than metal. White gold and rose gold are typically 18K with specific alloys (palladium or rhodium for white, copper for rose).
Which should you buy? A decision guide
The right purity depends entirely on how you will use the gold.
- Buying for investment or resale: Choose 24K coins or bars. They carry the highest gold content and are universally priced at spot, making resale straightforward with any dealer.
- Bridal or traditional jewellery: 22K is the correct choice. It holds complex designs, maintains its yellow colour, and is what Indian buyers and resellers expect when you eventually sell.
- Diamond-set, everyday rings, contemporary pieces: 18K provides the strength needed for fine stone settings and is the norm for imported or international-style jewellery.
- Gifting gold coins: 24K minted coins (5g, 8g, 10g, 50g denominations from brands like Tanishq, Malabar or MMTC-PAMP) are the most liquid and universally accepted gift form.
Price difference between 22K and 24K
The price gap is proportional to gold content. At today's median 24K rate of ₹15,447/g, the 22K price is approximately ₹14,160/g — a difference of about ₹1,287/g. On a 20-gram piece this adds up to ₹25,745 just in metal value, before making charges. This is why knowing the current rate matters before you shop.
Resale value: which purity sells better?
Both 22K and 24K jewellery can be resold to most jewellers, but the experience differs. 24K coins and bars from known mints fetch spot price with minimal discount. 22K jewellery resale typically involves a small deduction for assaying and melting, often 2-5% of metal value. Older jewellery without a BIS hallmark may face a steeper deduction because the buyer cannot immediately verify the purity without testing.
The practical takeaway: always buy BIS-hallmarked jewellery with a HUID stamp — it makes purity undeniable and resale smoother.
Before you buy: compare today's rate
Whatever purity you choose, the per-gram gold rate varies between jewellers by ₹50–200 at any given time. A ₹100/g difference on a 40-gram necklace is ₹4,000 — significant for most buyers. Use the comparison table to see today's rates side by side before walking into a store.