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Karat : Karat is the term used to measure the gold content or purity.

Karat is basically a unit used to measure the purity of gold. The higher the karatage, the purer the gold.

to understanding the difference between 24k, 21k ,18,14k,10k,and 9k Gold.

24K gold

24k gold is also called pure gold or 100 per cent gold. This means that all 24 parts in the gold are all pure gold without traces of any other metals. It is known to be 99.9 per cent pure and takes on a distinct bright yellow color. There is no higher form of gold than 24K and you must be aware of this before you go to a dealer who might tell you that they’re selling you 25K or 26K gold. Since this is the purest form of gold, it is naturally more expensive than 21K or 18K gold. However, this type of gold is lesser in density as compared to gold of a lower karatage which makes it soft and pliable. Hence, it is not suited for regular forms of jewellery. 24K gold is also used in electronics and medical devices such as those used for children suffering from ear infections who are fitted with gold tympanostomy tubes that are known to improve aeration of the middle ear.

21K gold

22K gold jewellery implies that 21 parts of the jewellery amounts to gold and the balance 3 parts are some other metals. This kind of gold is used for very expensive jewellery because it can be deigned by hand and mostly made for elite persons. In 21K gold, of the 100 per cent, only 87.5 per cent is pure gold. The other 8.33 per cent comprises metals like silver, zinc, nickel and other alloys. It is this addition of metals that make the texture of gold harder thereby making the jewellery durable. However, you must know that although this can be used to make plain gold jewellery.

24 karat gold contains 24 parts pure gold. 21 karat gold contains 21 parts gold and3 parts of other metals added as alloy. 21 karat gold contains 21 parts gold with three parts of other metals added. 18 karat gold contains 18 parts pure gold with 6 parts of other metals added. In the West the karat is expressed in fineness. For eg. 24 k gold is expressed as 1000 parts out of 1000 pure or fineness 1.000. 21 k is expressed as 21 divided by 24 , multiplied by 1000 which will give you a fineness of .875, 21 karat is 21 divided by 24 multiplied by 1000 which is .875 fineness and similarly 18 karat is .750 fineness.

Buyer's Tip

24 karat = 100% gold or Pure gold
21 karat = 87.5 % gold
18 karat = 75.0 % gold
14 karat = 58.3 % gold
12 karat = 50.0 % gold
10 karat = 41.7 % gold
  9 karat = 37.5 % gold

Why 21 Karat Gold