22K vs 24K vs 18K: What Purity You're Actually Selling
Hallmark stamps can be confusing. This breakdown explains each purity level and how it affects your final offer.
When you bring gold jewellery to a buyer, the single biggest driver of your offer is purity — not design, not age, not whether it is fashionable. Here is what every karat marking actually means.
The karat system explained
Pure gold is 24 karats. Every karat below 24 represents an alloy — copper, silver or zinc mixed in to add hardness. Indian jewellery is almost always 22K or 18K.
| Karat | Hallmark | Gold purity | Common use in India |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 999 | 99.9% | Coins, bars, investment gold |
| 22K | 916 | 91.6% | Traditional jewellery, bangles, chains |
| 18K | 750 | 75.0% | Diamond-set rings, modern jewellery |
| 14K | 585 | 58.5% | Export jewellery, rare in domestic market |
How purity affects your offer
If the live 24K rate is ₹7,500 per gram, a 22K piece of 10 grams nets you: 10 × 0.916 × 7,500 = ₹68,700. The same weight in 18K yields: 10 × 0.75 × 7,500 = ₹56,250. The difference is over ₹12,000 on just 10 grams — purity matters enormously.
Making charges and design value are not part of any buyback offer. You are always paid for the gold content only — which is exactly why XRF testing in front of you is non-negotiable.
What about mixed pieces?
Some antique jewellery mixes 22K and 18K elements — for example, a 22K base with 18K clasps. XRF identifies purity zone by zone, and the offer reflects the actual weighted average of what was tested.
Got gold to sell?
We come to you.
Doorstep visit, XRF tested in front of you, paid at the live rate — in Noida and Greater Noida.