Gold Purity Explained: Karat, Fineness, and What the Numbers Mean
10 January 2025
When you buy gold jewellery in India, you'll encounter two systems for describing purity: karat and fineness. Understanding both helps you make informed decisions.
The Karat System
The karat system divides gold purity into 24 parts. Pure gold is 24 karat (24K). Common standards:
| Karat | Fineness | Gold Content | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 999 | 99.9% | Investment bars, coins |
| 22K | 916 | 91.6% | Most Indian jewellery |
| 18K | 750 | 75.0% | Designer & studded jewellery |
| 14K | 585 | 58.5% | Lightweight & fashion jewellery |
The Fineness System
Fineness expresses purity in parts per thousand. When you see "916" stamped on a gold article, it means 916 parts out of 1,000 are pure gold — equivalent to 22 karat.
Why the Remaining Metal Matters
Pure gold (24K) is very soft and impractical for most jewellery. The alloying metals (typically copper, silver, and zinc for gold) add strength and durability. Different alloy compositions also create different colours — rose gold uses more copper, white gold uses palladium or nickel.
What to Look For
On any BIS-hallmarked article, you will find the fineness number stamped clearly. This, combined with the HUID, gives you verified proof of the gold's purity — tested and certified by an independent, BIS-authorized laboratory.
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