24 karat or 24k gold is purest form of gold available. To be graded as 24 karat, a gold alloy must be refined to at least 99.9% gold purity.
Fine jewelry made from 24k gold is popular in some Asian and Middle Eastern countries such China, Vietnam and Dubai. But in the United States and other Western countries, it’s much rarer to encounter 24k gold jewelry.
Read on to find out the reasons why, as well as answers to the questions people most often ask about 24k gold.
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What Does “24K Gold” Mean?
So why is it called 24k gold, exactly? The name 24 karat (24kt or 24k for short) derives from the karat system for measuring the purity of a gold alloy (a mixture of gold and other metals).
The karat system divides an alloy’s metal content into 24 equal parts, and assigns its karat grade based on how many of those parts are gold.
24k gold is 24 parts out of 24, which is equivalent to 100% pure gold. 23k gold is 23 parts out of 24 (95.8% pure), 22k is 22 parts out of 24 (91.7% pure), and so on.
If we want to get technical, then 24 karat gold is actually 99.9% gold, since it’s not possible to refine a gold alloy to 100% purity. But 24k is still commonly referred to as pure gold or 100% gold, even though it contains tiny traces of other metals.
Another name for 24k gold is 999 fine or just 999 for short. This derives from the millesimal fineness system, which calculates gold purity by parts per 1000. Thus, 999 gold is equivalent to 999 parts gold out of 1000 (99.9% pure).
| Karatage | Parts | Fineness | Purity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K Gold | 24 of 24 | 999 of 1000 | 99.9% |
| 18K Gold | 18 of 24 | 750 of 1000 | 75% |
| 14K Gold | 14 of 24 | 583 of 1000 | 58.3% |
| 10K Gold | 10 of 24 | 417 of 1000 | 41.7% |
Properties of 24k Gold
Color
24k gold is a rich, bright yellow color with an orangy undertone. This yellow hue is distinctly stronger than that seen in lower karat yellow golds.
Weight
As one of the densest materials found on Earth, gold is famously heavy. For example, a piece of pure gold the size and shape of a sugar cube would weigh about 18 times more than an actual sugar cube.
Durability
24k gold is a soft, malleable material that’s easily deformed. This makes it unsuitable for dainty or minimalist jewelry items, as these are often too flimsy to hold their shape when crafted from pure gold.
As such, pure gold jewelry is more likely to be substantial than delicate – think thick chains and chunky earrings. By having some size and weight behind it, pure gold jewelry is better able to withstand wear and tear.
This is also why you don’t see 24k gold engagement rings. Pure gold is too soft and bendable to hold fine diamonds and precious gemstones securely. 18k or 14k gold are better, stronger options for an engagement ring.
Popularity
24k gold jewelry is most popular in East and Southeast Asian countries like China, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand. You can also find pure gold jewelry in India and the Middle East (though 24k is less popular there than 22k or 21k, which are more durable but still high purity).
Notably, Eastern consumers tend to view pure gold jewelry as more of an investment than a fashion statement. 24k gold Chinese bridal jewelry, for instance, traditionally acts as dowry (money set aside to provide for a wife in the event of divorce or her husband’s death).
In Western countries, 24k gold is also widely considered a good investment. However, Western investors typically buy pure gold in the form of gold bars or coins. 24k jewelry, on the other hand, is much less common and is seen as less desirable compared to bullion.
Price
24k gold is the most expensive type of gold. It’s also the most expensive precious metal by a significant margin – even platinum currently costs less than half of what gold does.
The price of 24k jewelry is informed by the trading price of gold, which is constantly fluctuating. If you’re in the market for jewelry made from 24k gold, consult the current gold price in grams, then multiply the cost per gram by the weight in grams of your desired jewelry piece.
This is the minimum price you should expect to pay at the moment of purchase. It doesn’t include the seller’s markup to cover the cost of workmanship and their operational expenses.
What is the Best Gold Karat Grade?
The best gold karat grade depends on your unique situation, and should consider aspects like your aesthetic taste, your budget, whether you or the recipient have any metal allergies, and the occasion for the purchase.
Best for Investment
If you’re primarily concerned with purchasing precious metals as a store of wealth, then 24k gold is an excellent choice. 22k and 21k jewelry are also popular options for investment.
In many Asian and Middle Eastern countries, any karatage below 21k is viewed as poor quality. This is because jewelry buyers in these countries generally value gold purity above all other considerations.
Best for Daily Wear
In Western countries, 18k gold (75% pure) and 14k gold (58.3% pure) are the standard purities for fine jewelry meant to be worn on a daily basis.
Made by alloying pure gold with other metals, these karatages offers several advantages over purer gold grades:
- More robust: The addition of other jewelry metals hardens the gold alloy. This added sturdiness allows for jewelry that doesn’t dent or scratch as easily as higher purity alloys, as well as smaller and more delicate pieces that can hold their shape with everyday wear.
- Color variety: While 24k gold is always a rich yellow color, lower purity gold alloys can take on different colors when mixed with colored metals. For instance, white gold is made by including white metals like silver and palladium, while rose gold is achieved through the addition of copper.
- More affordable: 18k and 14k gold are significantly less expensive than 24k gold.
On the other hand, introducing other metals into a gold alloy can open the risk of allergic reaction. 24k gold is hypoallergenic, but some other jewelry metals are not.
The most common metal allergen is nickel, which is sometimes used in white gold alloys. If you or the jewelry recipient are allergic to this metal, then confirm with the vendor that the white gold you’re purchasing is nickel-free.
Copper, a key component of rose gold, is another metal which can sometimes cause skin irritation. Saying that, copper allergies are much rarer than nickel ones, and most people can wear rose gold without issue.
Best for a Budget
10k gold (41.7% pure) is the least pure and least expensive gold karat grade used to make jewelry in the United States. In some other Western countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, 9k gold (37.5% pure) is the lowest grade.
Both 10k and 9k gold comprise less than 50% gold by weight. While not the highest quality golds, they’re still recognized as real gold alloys, and many people prefer them for their high durability and affordable price points.
However, such low purity golds are generally not considered appropriate for important and meaningful purchases like engagement rings, wedding rings, or anniversary jewelry.
Where to Buy 24k Gold
While 24k gold isn’t as popular as other jewelry karatages, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options if you’d like to buy some.
Here are some notable and well-reviewed vendors of pure gold jewelry, each offering shipping within the US:
- Mene: Offers a wide range of classic and modern designs. An interesting feature of this site is that prices are tied to the live gold spot price, so they automatically update (up or down) every few seconds.
- Kuvera Jewelry: Another wide selection of 24k gold jewelry in a variety of styles.
- Auvere: A smaller selection centered around bold statement pieces. A more varied 22k gold collection is also available.
- Sunshine Jewelry: Fine jewelers selling classic chains, pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings in pure 24k gold.
You can also find a range of 24k gold pieces on Etsy. Be sure to buy from a seller with a good reputation.
FAQs About 24k Gold
Is 24k gold 100% gold?
Not quite. While 24k gold is commonly accepted to mean 100% pure gold, it’s impossible to refine gold to 100% purity. Any gold alloy of 99.9% purity or higher is considered 24k gold.
Is 24k gold the same as 999 gold?
999 gold means that 999 parts per thousand of a gold alloy are pure gold. Expressed as a percentage, 999 gold is 99.9% pure – which is the same as 24k gold.
How to identify 24k gold jewelry?
Most genuine 24k gold jewelry is stamped with a small identifying mark to denote its purity, for instance: 24 Karat, 24 KT, 24K, or 999. If in doubt, consult a jeweler or other professional for appraisal and advice.
Is 24k too soft for jewelry?
Though 24k gold is a soft material, it can still be worn as jewelry. However, you do need to take extra care when wearing 24k, as it’s much more easily damaged than lower purity karatages.
Is 24k or 22k gold better?
24k and 22k gold look and feel very similar to each other. The main difference between the two is that 24k gold contains more pure gold content, which makes it more valuable. Saying that, 22k is more durable and better suited for jewelry making.
Thank you for reading and we hope you found this information helpful. To learn about the highest purity grade for another popular precious metal, check out our guide to fine silver.