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22K vs 18K vs 14K Gold: Which Purity Should You Buy?

Higher karat means more gold but softer metal. Here is how to choose the right purity for daily wear, bridal and investment pieces.

Editorial Desk

Editorial Desk

25 Jul 20261 min read

Understanding karats

Karat measures the proportion of pure gold in an alloy. 24K is pure gold; jewellery is alloyed for durability.

  • 22K (91.6%) — the Indian standard for traditional and bridal jewellery. Rich colour, good value retention.
  • 18K (75%) — harder and more scratch-resistant; ideal for diamond and gemstone settings and daily wear.
  • 14K (58.5%) — the most durable and affordable; popular for lightweight, everyday designs.

How to decide

Choose 22K for value and tradition, 18K for intricate stone work, and 14K for rugged everyday pieces. Remember that making charges and resale value differ across purities.

Editorial Desk

Written by

Editorial Desk

The in-house editorial team covering gold, diamonds and the Indian jewellery trade.

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