Gold Purity Explained: Your Guide to the Karat Scale

Gold possesses a universal and timeless appeal, transcending cultural boundaries to stand as the ultimate symbol of elegance, power, and prestige. Understanding its purity. is useful to know, as there are variations in the jewellery world.

For those embarking on marriage and are looking to have family heirlooms of their own, the choice of gold purity is usually taken into consideration, especially when celebrating the auspicious Guo Da Li and the Si Dian Jin tradition, where gold is a tangible blessing.

This post provides a guide to understanding the karat scale and navigating the different purities of gold with confidence.

What is Gold Purity?

Simply put, gold purity refers to the percentage of pure gold present. Because pure gold is inherently soft, it must be combined with other metals (known as alloys) to increase its strength and resilience before it can be crafted into jewellery.

The "karat" is the standardised unit of measurement for gold purity. The karat system measures the proportion of gold in 24 parts. 24 karat (24K) represents pure gold, while any other karat reflects the percentage of gold mixed with other metals. For example, 22 karat gold contains 22 parts gold, and 18 karat gold contains 18 parts gold.

This term shouldn't be confused with 'carat'. Carat (with a 'C') refers exclusively to the weight of a gemstone or Diamond, where one carat equals 200 milligrams. Meanwhile, karat (with a 'K') measures the purity of the metal.

The Karat Scale: A Guide to Gold Purity

This section will detail the most common karats found in the world of fine jewellery, helping you understand the balance between purity and wearability.

24K Gold

24K gold is defined as 99.9% pure gold, making it the highest standard of gold purity. It is celebrated for its rich, intense yellow colour and intrinsic value. However, its soft and malleable nature means 24K gold is easily scratched or dented, making it less suitable for jewellery that is intended for everyday wear. This level of gold purity is often more reserved for collecting, or even traditional ceremonial pieces where its symbolic purity is paramount.

22K Gold

22K gold sees purity with enhanced durability as compared to 24K gold. Its composition means it possesses a gold purity percentage of 91.6% (22 parts gold to 2 parts alloy). Known in some traditions as 916 gold, it is highly prized for its use in traditional, intricate jewellery, especially in Asia, due to its rich, warm yellow hue.

18K Gold

18K gold is widely regarded as a global standard for luxury fine jewellery. Its gold purity percentage stands at 75% (18 parts gold to 6 parts alloy). This mix provides an excellent balance of purity and durability, making it a highly popular choice for gifts, bespoke engagement rings, wedding bands, and heirlooms to be. 18K gold jewellery offers the necessary hardness for secure stone setting and daily wear; most of B.P.’s keepsakes are crafted in 18K gold – with platinum pieces as the exceptions.

14K Gold

14K gold has a purity level of 58.3% (14 parts gold to 10 parts alloy). This higher percentage of alloys makes it a more robust metal, and can also result in a more affordable price point. 

10K Gold

10K gold represents a purity of 41.7% (10 parts gold to 14 parts alloy). As it has a lower percentage of purity, this makes 10K gold the most affordable option, whilst also being the most resistant to scratches. Due to the relatively higher proportion of alloys, 10K gold generally has a lighter colour than its higher-karat counterparts.

Gold Purity at a Glance

For quick and easy reference, the following chart summarises the different levels of gold purity:

Karat	Purity Percentage	Durability	Common Uses
24K	99.9%	Soft	Ceremonial Jewellery, Collection
22K	91.6%	Good	Traditional Jewellery, especially in Asia
18K	75%	Heirloom worthy	Fine Jewellery
14K	58.3%	Excellent	Fine & Demi-Fine Jewellery
10K	41.7%	Excellent	Everyday Demi-Fine Jewellery

The Role of Alloys: Understanding Gold Colour

The richness of pure gold is a vibrant, unmistakable yellow. However, there is a spectrum of golds, such as white and rose, which is achieved by strategically alloying the pure gold with different metals. Here is a breakdown of how different gold colours are achieved:

• White Gold: Created by alloying gold with white metals such as palladium, silver, or nickel. White gold is typically finished with a rhodium plating to achieve its bright white shine.
• Rose Gold: Achieved by alloying gold predominantly with copper, which provides its distinctively warm, romantic, reddish-pink hue. The greater the copper content, the deeper the rose colour.

These specific alloys not only dictate the metal's final colour but also profoundly affect the metal's durability and overall physical properties, which must be considered during the design and crafting process.

Choosing the Right Gold Purity for Your Jewellery

As we discussed above, different karats have different levels of durability. Therefore, selecting the ideal gold purity for your piece should be guided by its intended purpose and your preferences.

Firstly, for jewellery intended for daily wear, such as an engagement ring or wedding band, choosing for quality and higher durability – our recommendation is 18K – would be best, in consideration of a lifetime’s wear and tear. 

Secondly, consider your desired aesthetic since the richness of the gold colour varies significantly along the karat scale. Those who want the richest, warmest colour for their jewellery often gravitate towards 22K or 18K gold, while those who prefer a subtler, lighter hue might choose 14K gold.

Last but not least, purity also plays a part in the value of a jewel, as gold is measured by weight. Lower karat gold (10K or 14K) offers durable options at more accessible pricepoints, whilst gold jewellery with higher purity tend to be more valuable.

Your Gold Journey with B.P. de Silva

At B.P. de Silva, every jewel celebrates a story. Our dedication in crafting exquisite fine and high jewellery. has seen through generations of safekeeping life’s sweetest memories through fine jewellery and design.

Whether you are commissioning a bespoke heirloom, or selecting a modern Si Dian Jin set. Our Jewellery Specialists will be happy to assist. Ask us about gold purity and we’ll gladly share so you understand the true value of your keepsake.

If you're looking to explore the world of fine gold jewellery, visit our flagship boutique or book a virtual concierge appointment today. Our team will guide you in choosing the perfect masterpiece for you, or for a loved one.