Understanding Gold Purity: Karats & Hallmarks
Demystifying Karats (24K, 22K, 18K), hallmark certifications, and common alloys.
The Karat System
When purchasing gold jewellery, the most critical factor determining its value and durability is its purity. Pure gold is exceedingly soft—so soft that it can easily be bent or scratched. Therefore, it is almost always alloyed (mixed) with other metals like copper, silver, zinc, or palladium to give it strength.
The purity of gold is measured in Karats (K), a fractional measure out of 24.
- 24 Karat (24K): This is 99.9% pure gold. It boasts a brilliant, rich yellow color. Due to its softness, 24K gold is rarely used for intricate jewellery and is instead primarily used for investment coins and bars.
- 22 Karat (22K): Comprising 91.67% gold and 8.33% alloy metals, 22K is the standard for traditional Indian jewellery. It offers an excellent balance of the classic rich gold hue with enough durability for occasional wear. It is often referred to as "916 gold."
- 18 Karat (18K): Made of 75% gold and 25% alloys, 18K gold is highly durable and is the global standard for diamond and gemstone jewellery. The higher alloy content allows the prongs to securely hold precious stones.
- 14 Karat (14K): Containing 58.3% gold, this is highly popular in Western countries for everyday wear due to its extreme durability and lower price point.
The Importance of Hallmarking
How do you know if the gold you are buying is truly the purity it claims to be? This is where hallmarking comes in.
A hallmark is an official mark struck on items made of precious metals to certify their purity. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the sole agency approved by the government for hallmarking gold jewellery.
A genuine BIS hallmark consists of three distinct components:
- The BIS Logo: A triangular mark indicating that the verification was done in an official testing center.
- Purity Grade: For example, "22K916" (for 22 Karat) or "18K750" (for 18 Karat).
- HUID Code: A unique 6-digit alphanumeric code (Hallmark Unique Identification). You can verify this code using the official BIS Care App to see the exact details of the jeweller and the testing center.
Always insist on HUID-hallmarked jewellery. It is your ultimate guarantee of authenticity and value.
