Live rates / Gold purity guide
Gold Purity Guide: 24K, 22K, 18K, 916 & 999
A practical GS24LIVE reference for Indian buyers who need to read karat labels, fineness stamps and BIS hallmark marks before paying for jewellery or bullion. Educational only — not purchase advice.
Purity at a glance
| Karat | Fineness | Gold % | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 999 | ~99.9% | Coins, bars, wholesale reference |
| 22K | 916 | 91.6% | Most Indian jewellery |
| 18K | 750 | 75% | Diamond / fashion jewellery |
On GS24LIVE, the live board quotes Gold 999 per 10 grams. 22K and 18K figures are calculated from that board at 91.6% and 75% — indicative only, before making and GST. Check Ahmedabad gold rate today or Deesa gold rate today.
24K vs 22K
24K is nearly pure and soft — suited to investment formats more than daily chains. 22K mixes in alloy so ornaments hold shape and take detailing; that is why Gujarat bridal and daily-wear counters quote 916 by default. A lower 22K rupee number than 24K is purity math, not automatically a “discount”.
For a longer karat comparison, see our article 22K vs 24K gold difference. For why retail sticks to 916, read why 916 gold is popular in India.
18K (750)
Eighteen karat is harder and often used for diamond settings and lighter fashion lines. It contains less gold per gram than 22K, so metal value is lower for the same weight — making and design still dominate the final bill. Confirm the stamp says 750 / 18K, not 916, before you compare per-gram quotes.
BIS hallmark & HUID
New jewellery sold through formal channels in India should carry BIS hallmarking: the BIS mark, fineness (for example 916), and a unique HUID. Photograph the marks with the invoice weight. If a counter cannot show them on a new piece, pause and compare elsewhere.
Hallmarking confirms assayed purity for the piece; it does not set today's gold rate. Use the live board for metal direction, then verify marks at the counter.
Estimate before you buy
Multiply net gold grams by the purity-adjusted rate, then add making and tax separately. The gold rate calculator does that with live Gold 999 input. Check Ahmedabad gold rate today or the 7-day gold price trend. Compare gold and silver roles in a household budget in our gold vs silver guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do 999, 916 and 750 mean on gold jewellery?
They are fineness marks: 999 is 24K (~99.9% gold), 916 is 22K (91.6% gold), and 750 is 18K (75% gold). The rest of the alloy is other metals for hardness or colour.
Is 22K the same as 916?
Yes. Indian jewellery boards and BIS hallmarking commonly use 916 for twenty-two karat gold — the grade most Gujarat bridal and daily-wear sets use.
What should a BIS hallmarked piece show?
Look for the BIS logo, the fineness number (such as 916), and a unique HUID on new jewellery. Match those marks to the purity line on your invoice before you pay.
Should I buy 24K jewellery for daily wear?
24K is soft. Coins and bars suit 24K; most wearable ornaments are 22K or 18K. Choose based on use, not only purity percentage.