Gold Karat Guide — Gold Karats, Purity Chart & Karat Scale
Gold karat (K) tells you how pure your gold is. 24K means pure gold, while 14K and 18K are mixes of gold and other metals. This page explains what 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K and 24K mean, how karats work in different countries, what stamps like 585 and 750 mean, and how purity affects value.
Gold Purity Chart — Karat Scale, Gold Price Per Gram
| Karat | Pure Gold % | Common Stamps | Price/Gram (approx) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 100% | 24K, 999, 24kt | $142.30 | Investment bars, coins. Too soft for most jewelry. |
| 23K | 95.8% | 23K, 958, 23kt | $136.37 | High-purity jewelry, some regional pieces. |
| 22K | 91.7% | 22K, 916, 22kt | $130.44 | Traditional jewelry, coins (e.g. Indian gold). |
| 21.6K | 90% | 21.6K, 900 | $128.07 | Regional jewelry, 90% pure gold. |
| 21K | 87.5% | 21K, 875 | $124.51 | Middle Eastern, Asian ceremonial jewelry. |
| 20K | 83.3% | 20K, 833, 20kt | $118.58 | Asian, Middle Eastern jewelry. |
| 19K | 79.2% | 19K, 792 | $112.65 | Some specialty jewelry. |
| 18K | 75% | 18K, 750, 18kt | $106.72 | Fine jewelry, luxury pieces. Richer color, softer. |
| 16K | 66.7% | 16K, 667 | $94.87 | Dental gold, some specialty jewelry. |
| 15K | 62.5% | 15K, 625 | $88.94 | Dental gold, some European jewelry. |
| 14K | 58.5% | 14K, 585, 14kt | $83.01 | Most popular US jewelry. Durable, affordable. |
| 12K | 50% | 12K, 500 | $71.15 | Some European jewelry. |
| 10K | 41.7% | 10K, 417, 10kt | $59.29 | Budget jewelry, very durable. |
| 9K | 37.5% | 9K, 375 | $53.36 | UK, European jewelry. |
| 8K | 33.3% | 8K, 333 | $47.43 | European budget jewelry. |
What Karat Means (and How It's Different from Carat)
Karat (K) is a scale from 0 to 24 that describes how much of an alloy is pure gold. 24K is pure gold, 12K is half gold, 18K is three-quarters gold, and so on. The rest of the metal is made from alloys like silver, copper, nickel, or zinc, which change the color and hardness of the final piece.
This is different from carat (with a "c"), which is a unit of weight used for gemstones like diamonds. When you see 14K or 18K stamped on jewelry, that's always talking about gold purity, not gemstone size.
Main Karats Explained — 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, 24K
While the chart above includes many purities, most real-world jewelry and scrap gold falls into a few common karats. Here's what those mean in practice.
10K gold (417)
10K gold is 41.7% pure gold and 58.3% other metals. It's very durable and affordable, which makes it popular for budget jewelry and heavy-wear items. In the US, 10K is the minimum legal purity that can be sold as "gold".
14K gold (585)
14K gold is 58.5% pure gold and is the most common choice for engagement rings and everyday jewelry in the US. It offers a good balance between gold content, durability, and price. Stamps include 14K, 585, or sometimes "14kt".
18K gold (750)
18K gold is 75% pure gold and has a richer, deeper yellow color than 14K. It's common in luxury and designer jewelry. Because it has more gold, it is softer and more expensive than 14K, and its price per gram is closer to pure gold.
22K gold (916)
22K gold is 91.7% pure and is widely used in traditional jewelry in parts of Asia and the Middle East. It has a very rich yellow color but can be too soft for very detailed or delicate settings.
24K gold (999)
24K gold is considered pure gold (99.9%+). It's used mainly for investment bars and coins, and less often for everyday jewelry because it's soft and scratches easily. When people talk about the gold price on the news, they're usually referring to 24K gold.
Gold Karats by Region — US vs Europe vs Asia
Gold standards and common karats vary around the world. Knowing this can help you understand why you see different stamps on jewelry from different countries.
- United States: 10K, 14K and 18K are most common. 10K is the legal minimum purity to be called "gold". 14K dominates for engagement rings and everyday jewelry.
- United Kingdom and Europe: 9K (375), 14K (585) and 18K (750) are widely used. Many European countries have strong hallmarking laws and official assay offices.
- Asia and Middle East: Higher karats like 18K, 21K, 22K (916) and even 24K are more common, especially for traditional wedding jewelry and investment-style pieces.
Understanding Stamps: 417, 585, 750, 916 and More
Many pieces of gold jewelry show a three-digit number instead of a karat mark. These numbers indicate how many parts per thousand are pure gold in the alloy.
| Fineness stamp | Approx karat | Gold % | Where you might see it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 333 | 8K | 33.3% | European budget jewelry |
| 375 | 9K | 37.5% | UK & EU jewelry |
| 416 / 417 | 10K | 41.6–41.7% | US jewelry, class rings |
| 500 | 12K | 50% | Some older European pieces |
| 583 / 585 | 14K | 58.3–58.5% | Very common on rings & chains |
| 625 | 15K | 62.5% | Vintage UK/European jewelry |
| 667 | 16K | 66.7% | Dental gold, specialty alloys |
| 750 | 18K | 75% | Fine jewelry, designer pieces |
| 792 | 19K | 79.2% | Less common; some specialty pieces |
| 833 | 20K | 83.3% | Some Asian/Middle Eastern jewelry |
| 875 | 21K | 87.5% | Middle East & North Africa |
| 900 | 21.6K | 90% | Regional jewelry; some coins |
| 916 / 917 | 22K | 91.6–91.7% | Indian, Asian & Middle Eastern jewelry |
| 958 | 23K | 95.8% | High-purity regional jewelry |
| 990 | ~24K | 99.0% | Some bars/coins; “fine gold” variants |
| 999 / 999.9 | 24K | 99.9–99.99% | Investment bars & bullion coins |
These marks often sit next to maker's marks or assay office symbols in countries with strict hallmarking rules. Our Gold Hallmarks Guide breaks down those symbols in detail.
Gold Plated Stamps: GP, GE, HGE, GF (Not Solid Gold)
Not every “gold” stamp means solid karat gold. Many marks indicate a thin layer of gold over a base metal. These pieces can look like gold but have much lower melt value.
| Stamp | What it usually means | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| GP | Gold plated (thin plating) | Low scrap value; plating can wear off over time. |
| GEP / GE | Gold electroplated | Very thin gold layer; base metal matters most. |
| HGE | Heavy gold electroplate | Thicker than standard plating, still not solid gold. |
| GF | Gold filled (bonded layer; thicker than plating) | More durable than plating; scrap value is usually limited vs solid gold. |
| RGP | Rolled gold plate | Gold layer over base metal; value depends on gold content and weight. |
If you see GP/GE/HGE/GF alongside a number like 14K or 585, treat it as a red flag and get the piece tested. For a deeper comparison, see Gold Filled vs Solid Gold.
Home Scale Checks: What You Can (and Can't) Verify
A home scale won’t tell karat by itself, but it can help you avoid obvious mistakes and estimate value more accurately before you visit a buyer.
- Weigh in grams: Use a digital jewelry scale (0.01g resolution if possible). Write down the weight.
- Check stamps first: Look for karat (10K/14K/18K/22K/24K) or fineness (417/585/750/916/999). If it says GP/GE/HGE/GF, it's likely not solid gold.
- Estimate melt value: Multiply weight (g) × today’s price per gram for that karat. Use the Gold Price Per Gram page for live rates.
- Optional density sanity-check (best for coins/bars): If you can measure volume (water displacement in mL), density ≈ mass (g) ÷ volume (mL). Pure gold is ~19.3 g/mL; many base metals are much lower. This test is error-prone for hollow jewelry, stones, mixed metals, and irregular shapes.
For accurate verification, buyers and jewelers use acid tests or XRF scans. If the offer matters, get it tested—especially for high-purity pieces or anything with unclear stamps.
Quick Checklist: Reading Gold Stamps
If you just need a fast answer before you sell or insure a piece, this checklist keeps you out of the most common traps.
- Find the stamp (inside a ring band, near a clasp, or on the back of a pendant). Use a phone flashlight and zoom.
- Match it to a purity: karat (10K/14K/18K/22K/24K) or fineness (417/585/750/916/999).
- Watch for plating words: GP/GE/HGE/GEP/GF/RGP often means it’s not solid gold.
- Weigh the item in grams, then estimate melt value using the price table and calculator on Gold Price Per Gram.
- Get a test if it matters: XRF is quick and non-destructive; acid tests can help but require care.
Common Confusions & Red Flags
- “K” vs “KT”: Both are commonly used to mean karat (e.g., 14K and 14KT). The exact letters vary by maker.
- Numbers without context: A three-digit mark like 585/750/916 usually indicates fineness, but random numbers can also be model codes. Look for placement and nearby maker/assay marks.
- Plating next to “14K” style numbers: If you see GP/GE/HGE/GF near a karat/fineness mark, assume it’s not solid until tested.
- Hollow or weighted jewelry: Some chains/bracelets are hollow; some pieces are “weighted” with filler. Weight alone can overstate melt value.
- Stones and non-gold parts: Remove stones where possible (or subtract their weight). Clasps, springs, and pins may be different metal.
When you want a definitive answer, testing beats guessing. If you’re unsure, start with a quick XRF scan at a jeweler or buyer.
Karat Durability Comparison: 10K vs 14K vs 18K vs 22K vs 24K
Higher karat means more pure gold, richer color, and higher price per gram—but also a softer metal. Lower karat has more alloy, which usually makes it tougher for daily wear.
| Karat | Durability (daily wear) | Color | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10K | Highest | Light yellow | Work rings, chains, class rings, budget pieces |
| 14K | High | Warm yellow | Engagement rings, everyday jewelry, stone settings |
| 18K | Medium | Richer yellow | Fine jewelry, dress pieces, luxury rings (with care) |
| 22K | Low | Deep yellow | Traditional bangles/necklaces, ceremonial pieces, some coins |
| 24K | Lowest (softest) | Pure gold | Bars, bullion, investment coins; not ideal for daily rings |
Tip: If you have metal allergies, ask what alloy is used (nickel is more common in some white gold). In uncertain cases, an XRF scan can confirm composition quickly.
Typical Karats by Jewelry Type
While any karat can technically be used for almost any kind of jewelry, some patterns show up again and again in real-world pieces.
- Engagement rings and wedding bands: Usually 14K or 18K in the US and Europe.
- Necklaces and chains: 10K, 14K and 18K are common; in Asia you may see 22K.
- Bracelets and bangles: 10K and 14K for durability, 18K or 22K for traditional or high-end pieces.
- Earrings: Often 14K or 18K; lighter wear means slightly softer gold is less of an issue.
How to Tell If Your Gold Is Real
- Look for stamps: 8K–24K, or 333, 375, 417, 585, 750, 916, 999.
- Real gold usually doesn't flake or peel like plating when scratched lightly in an unseen area.
- Use a magnet—solid gold is not magnetic, although some gold-filled items may contain magnetic cores.
- When in doubt, have it tested by a jeweler or buyer for a reliable answer.
For a detailed step-by-step on home tests and their limits, see our How to Test Gold at Home guide.