When buying gold in India, the most common question is: Should I buy 22K or 24K gold? The answer depends on your purpose—jewelry or investment—and understanding the trade-offs between purity and durability.
Understanding Gold Purity
Gold purity is measured in karats (K), which indicates the proportion of pure gold in the alloy:
- 24K (999 purity) = 99.9% pure gold, 0.1% trace elements
- 22K (916 purity) = 91.6% pure gold, 8.4% other metals (copper, silver, zinc)
- 18K (750 purity) = 75% pure gold, 25% other metals
The added metals in 22K and 18K gold serve a purpose: they make the gold harder and more durable for everyday wear.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | 24K Gold | 22K Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | 99.9% pure | 91.6% pure |
| Color | Bright yellow | Slightly lighter yellow |
| Hardness | Very soft, bends easily | Harder, more durable |
| Best for | Investment (coins, bars) | Jewelry |
| Price | Higher (more pure) | ~8% less than 24K |
| Making charges | Lower (simpler designs) | Higher (intricate work possible) |
| Resale value | Higher per gram | Slightly lower per gram |
When to Buy 24K Gold
Reasons to buy 24K:
- Investment — Gold coins, bars, biscuits for wealth preservation
- Higher purity = better resale — When you sell, 24K commands the highest price per gram
- No making charges wastage — Coins and bars have minimal premiums over spot price
- BIS certification — Easy to verify authenticity with hallmarking
- Liquidity — Easier to sell to jewelers and gold buyers
Not ideal for: Jewelry that will be worn daily. 24K gold is too soft—it scratches easily, loses shape, and stones may fall out.
When to Buy 22K Gold
Reasons to buy 22K:
- Durability — The alloy makes it strong enough for everyday wear
- Traditional Indian standard — Most Indian jewelry is 22K
- Intricate designs possible — Craftsmen can create detailed work without pieces breaking
- Better for stone setting — Holds diamonds and gemstones more securely
- Still high value — 91.6% purity is excellent for jewelry
- Cultural acceptance — Widely accepted for weddings, festivals, gifting
Trade-off: You pay making charges (8-25%) which you don't fully recover when selling. But this is the cost of wearable jewelry.
What About 18K Gold?
18K (75% purity) is popular for:
- Modern/designer jewelry — Contemporary styles, Western designs
- Diamond jewelry — Better for complex settings
- Daily wear pieces — Most durable option
- Different colors — White gold, rose gold commonly available in 18K
The trade-off is lower purity (only 75% gold), which means lower resale value per gram.
Key Takeaways
For Investment: Buy 24K gold coins or bars from certified sources (banks, MMTC-PAMP, government mints). Avoid jewelry if your goal is investment—the making charges hurt your returns.
For Jewelry: Buy 22K gold for traditional Indian jewelry. Ensure BIS hallmarking (916 mark). For modern/diamond jewelry, 18K is fine.
Golden Rule: Never buy gold jewelry as an investment. You pay 8-25% making charges upfront, and recover only 50-70% of that when selling. Jewelry is for wearing and cultural value, not investment returns.
How to Verify What You're Buying
Always check for:
- BIS Hallmark — Government certification mark
- Purity number — 916 (22K), 999 (24K), 750 (18K)
- Jeweler's identification mark
- BIS logo (triangle)
- HUID (Hallmark Unique ID) — 6-digit alphanumeric code (mandatory since 2021)
You can verify the HUID on the BIS website to ensure authenticity.
Bottom Line
If you want pure investment-grade gold: Buy 24K coins or bars with BIS certification. See gold investment options for more.
If you want jewelry to wear: Buy 22K gold jewelry with proper hallmarking.
If you want maximum durability: Go with 18K, especially for daily-wear modern designs.
The "best" choice depends entirely on your purpose. Don't buy jewelry thinking it's an investment, and don't buy 24K coins expecting to wear them as ornaments.