Short answer: the karat number tells you how much of a piece is pure gold, out of 24 parts. 24K is almost pure gold (99.9%), 22K is about 91.7%, 18K is 75%, 14K is about 58.3% and 10K is about 41.7%. Higher karats look richer and hold more gold value per gram, but they are softer and scratch or bend more easily. For most everyday jewelry in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, 14K is the practical sweet spot for durability and price, 18K is the classic choice for fine jewelry and engagement rings, 22K suits traditional and occasional pieces, and 24K is mainly for bullion and investment rather than daily wear.
That is the quick version. The rest of this guide goes deeper: what each karat is made of, how color and durability change, which karats are more likely to cause skin reactions, what hallmarks mean in each country, how to calculate the gold value of any piece, and how to choose the right karat for rings, chains, earrings, children's jewelry and investment. You can check the live price per gram for every karat on our gold price today page and value any item with the gold calculator.
What "karat" actually means
Karat (spelled "carat" in British English when referring to gold purity, and not to be confused with the carat used to weigh gemstones) is a measure of the proportion of pure gold in an alloy. Pure gold is defined as 24 karat. Every other karat is a fraction of 24.
The formula is simple: gold percentage = karat ÷ 24 × 100. So 18K is 18 ÷ 24 = 0.75, or 75% gold. The remaining 25% is made up of other metals, usually silver, copper, zinc, nickel or palladium, which change the color, hardness and cost of the alloy.
Many countries also use a three-digit "fineness" number, which expresses purity in parts per thousand. You will often see these numbers stamped on jewelry, especially items made in Europe and Asia.
| Karat | Gold content | Fineness stamp | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 999 (or 9999 for 99.99%) | Bullion bars and coins, some traditional jewelry |
| 22K | 91.7% | 916 | Traditional jewelry in India, the Gulf and Southeast Asia; some bullion coins |
| 21K | 87.5% | 875 | Jewelry in parts of the Middle East and North Africa |
| 18K | 75.0% | 750 | Fine jewelry, engagement rings, luxury watches |
| 14K | 58.3% | 585 | Everyday jewelry, especially in the US and Canada |
| 10K | 41.7% | 417 | Budget jewelry in the US and Canada, class rings |
| 9K | 37.5% | 375 | Everyday and budget jewelry in the UK and Australia |
Note that 14K is stamped 585 rather than 583. The industry standard alloy is made slightly above the exact 14/24 fraction to guarantee that it meets the minimum, and the 585 mark reflects that convention.
24K gold: the purest, softest option
24K gold is as close to pure as commercially practical, usually 99.9% or 99.99%. It has an intense, warm yellow color that many people find beautiful and that cannot be matched by lower karats.
The downside is softness. Pure gold is one of the most malleable metals, so 24K jewelry dents, scratches and bends easily. Prongs cannot hold gemstones securely, clasps wear quickly, and rings can lose their shape. That is why most jewelers in Western markets rarely use 24K for everyday pieces.
24K is the standard for investment gold. Bullion bars and many government bullion coins are 24K, because their value is tied directly to the gold content and they are not meant to be worn. If your goal is to own gold as an asset rather than as jewelry, 24K bullion usually gives you the most gold for your money, because premiums over the metal value are lower than for jewelry.
22K gold: rich color with a little more strength
22K gold contains about 91.7% gold. The small proportion of alloy metals makes it slightly harder than 24K while keeping a deep yellow color. In India, the Gulf states and parts of Southeast Asia, 22K is the traditional standard for jewelry, especially for weddings and festivals, and many families buy it partly as a store of value.
22K is still relatively soft. It works well for bangles, necklaces and pieces worn on special occasions, but it is less suitable for rings worn every day or for delicate settings that hold stones. Some well-known bullion coins, such as the American Gold Eagle and the British Sovereign, are also struck in 22K for durability; their value is based on the pure gold they contain.
If you are buying 22K jewelry, expect prices to be quoted per gram with a separate making charge, a practice common in South Asian and Middle Eastern jewelry markets. That structure makes it easy to compare the gold value with the labor cost.
18K gold: the classic fine-jewelry standard
18K gold is 75% gold and 25% alloy metals. It offers a good balance between the rich look of high-karat gold and the strength needed for well-made jewelry. In Europe it is often the default for fine jewelry, and in the US, UK, Canada and Australia it is a popular choice for engagement rings, wedding bands and luxury watches.
18K is harder than 22K and 24K but softer than 14K. Over years of daily wear, an 18K ring will show more fine scratches and may wear thinner than a 14K ring of the same design. Many people accept that as part of the character of fine jewelry, and a jeweler can polish or re-tip worn areas.
Because 18K contains more gold, it costs more than 14K for the same weight and design. It also tends to have a slightly deeper yellow color. For white and rose gold, 18K and 14K can look similar once finished, because the color is dominated by the alloy and, for white gold, by plating.
14K gold: the durable everyday choice
14K gold contains about 58.3% gold. It is the most common karat for jewelry in the United States and is widely used in Canada. The higher proportion of alloy metals makes it noticeably harder and more resistant to scratches and bending, which is why it is a favorite for everyday rings, chains, earrings and bracelets.
14K is cheaper than 18K for the same weight, and it still looks convincingly golden. The color is slightly paler than 18K yellow gold, but many people cannot tell the difference without comparing pieces side by side.
For people with active lifestyles, those who work with their hands, or anyone buying a ring they will never take off, 14K is often the most practical choice. It holds gemstones securely and keeps its shape well.
10K and 9K gold: affordable and tough
10K gold (about 41.7% gold) is the lowest karat commonly sold as gold jewelry in the United States and Canada. 9K gold (37.5%) plays a similar role in the United Kingdom and Australia. These karats are the most durable and the least expensive, because more than half of the metal is not gold.
The trade-offs are a paler color, lower resale value per gram, and a higher proportion of base metals, which can tarnish slightly over time or cause reactions in people with sensitive skin. They are good choices for budget pieces, class rings and items that will take a beating, but less suited to heirloom jewelry or pieces bought partly for their gold value.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | 10K / 9K | 14K | 18K | 22K | 24K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold content | 37.5–41.7% | 58.3% | 75% | 91.7% | 99.9% |
| Color (yellow) | Pale | Warm | Rich | Deep | Deepest |
| Scratch and dent resistance | Highest | High | Moderate | Low | Lowest |
| Allergy risk | Higher | Moderate | Lower | Low | Very low |
| Price for same weight | Lowest | Low | Higher | High | Highest |
| Gold value per gram | Lowest | Low | Medium | High | Highest |
| Best for | Budget, heavy wear | Everyday rings and chains | Fine jewelry, engagement rings | Traditional and occasion wear | Bullion and investment |
Yellow, white and rose gold: how alloys change the color
The metals mixed with gold do more than add strength. They change the color, and they explain why the same karat can look very different.
Yellow gold
Yellow gold alloys typically combine gold with silver and copper in balanced proportions. The higher the karat, the more intensely yellow the metal looks. Yellow gold is the traditional choice and is easy to maintain and repair.
White gold
White gold is gold alloyed with white metals, commonly palladium or nickel, along with silver or zinc. Even so, most white gold alloys are not perfectly white; they have a faint gray or yellow tint. To give the bright white finish that shoppers expect, most white gold jewelry is plated with rhodium, a hard, white platinum-group metal. Rhodium plating wears off gradually, especially on rings, and needs to be renewed every so often to keep the bright look. The karat of white gold refers to the gold content only; an 18K white gold ring is still 75% gold.
Rose gold
Rose gold gets its pink or reddish tone from a higher proportion of copper. The more copper, the redder the color. Because copper is relatively hard, rose gold alloys can be quite durable, especially at 14K. The color does not need plating and does not wear off.
Other colors
Green, gray and other colored golds exist, made with different alloy combinations, but they are much less common in mainstream jewelry.
Allergies and skin sensitivity
Pure gold rarely causes allergic reactions. Problems usually come from the other metals in the alloy, most often nickel, which is a common cause of contact allergy. Lower-karat gold contains a larger share of alloy metals, so it is more likely to trigger a reaction in sensitive people. Some white gold alloys use nickel as the whitening agent.
If you or the person you are buying for has sensitive skin, consider:
- Choosing 18K or higher, which contains less alloy metal.
- Asking specifically for nickel-free white gold, which usually uses palladium instead.
- Choosing yellow or rose gold rather than white gold, if nickel is a concern.
- Asking the jeweler what the alloy contains. A reputable jeweler should be able to tell you.
The European Union restricts nickel release from items that are in prolonged contact with the skin, which has pushed many European jewelers toward palladium-based white gold. Outside the EU, rules differ, so asking is the safest approach.
Hallmarks and purity marks by country
A purity mark tells you the karat or fineness of the metal. How reliable that mark is depends on the country's rules.
United States
The Federal Trade Commission's jewelry guidance explains that gold jewelry is usually marked with its karat, and that items marked with a karat should also carry the trademark of the company that will stand behind the mark. The FTC revised its Jewelry Guides in 2018 and removed the old 10-karat minimum threshold for using the word "gold," provided the karat is clearly disclosed, for example "8K gold." There is no independent government assay office; marks are applied by manufacturers and are subject to federal law on precious metal stamping and to the FTC's guides.
United Kingdom
The UK has one of the oldest and strictest hallmarking systems in the world. Under the Hallmarking Act 1973, gold items weighing more than one gram must be independently tested and hallmarked by one of the UK's assay offices before they can be described as gold. A full UK hallmark includes a sponsor's mark, a fineness mark such as 375, 585, 750 or 916, and an assay office mark, according to the Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office. Recognized gold standards include 375, 585, 750, 916, 990 and 999.
Canada
Canada's Precious Metals Marking Act and Regulations, enforced by the Competition Bureau, require that a gold item bearing a quality mark be at least 9K and set tolerances for how far the actual gold content can fall below the mark. A quality mark must generally be accompanied by a registered trademark. Marking is not compulsory, but if an item is marked, the mark must be accurate.
Australia
Australia does not have a compulsory national hallmarking system like the UK's. Manufacturers and importers commonly stamp karat or fineness marks, and those claims are subject to Australian Consumer Law, which prohibits misleading representations. When buying valuable pieces, ask for documentation and buy from established retailers.
International fineness marks
Pieces made in Europe, the Middle East and Asia are often stamped with fineness numbers rather than karats: 375, 585, 750, 875, 916 or 999. Recognizing these numbers helps you identify the karat of jewelry bought abroad or inherited.
Solid gold versus plated, filled and vermeil
Not everything that looks like gold is solid gold. These terms describe products with a layer of gold over another metal, and US rules set minimum standards for some of them.
| Term | What it means | Gold value |
|---|---|---|
| Solid gold | The whole item is made of a gold alloy of the stated karat. | Full value of the gold content |
| Gold filled | A layer of at least 10K gold mechanically bonded to a base metal; under FTC guidance, if the gold layer is less than 1/20 of the total metal weight, the marking should state the fraction. | Small; a fraction of the item's weight |
| Gold vermeil | Sterling silver coated with gold of at least 10K, at least 2.5 microns thick, under the FTC's Jewelry Guides. | Mostly silver value plus a thin gold layer |
| Gold electroplate | A thin layer of at least 10K gold, at least 0.175 microns thick, applied electrolytically over base metal; "heavy gold electroplate" requires at least 2.5 microns. | Negligible |
| Gold plated / gold tone | A very thin gold layer or simply gold-colored metal. | Negligible or none |
These definitions come from the FTC's Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries (16 CFR Part 23) and apply to marketing in the United States. Other countries use similar concepts but different wording. For valuation purposes, only solid gold carries meaningful melt value.
How to calculate what a piece is worth in gold
Knowing the karat lets you estimate the value of the gold in any piece. This is useful when comparing prices, insuring jewelry, or deciding whether to sell.
- Weigh the piece in grams. A small digital scale that reads to 0.01 g is ideal. Remove stones if you can, or subtract their estimated weight, because stones do not count as gold.
- Find the karat. Look for a stamp such as 14K, 585, 18K or 750.
- Find today's price per gram for that karat. The gold price page shows it for 24K, 22K, 21K, 18K, 14K and 10K in your currency.
- Multiply. Weight × price per gram for the karat = gold value.
For example, with spot gold at $4,150 per troy ounce, a gram of 24K is worth about $133.43, 18K about $100.07 and 14K about $77.83. A 6-gram 14K chain therefore contains roughly 6 × $77.83 = $467 of gold, while the same chain in 18K would contain roughly $600. Our gold calculator does this automatically and lets you add a making charge to estimate a retail price.
Remember that this is the metal value, not the retail price or the price a buyer will pay you. Jewelry prices include design, labor and retail margin, while buyers of scrap gold pay less than the full metal value. Our explanation of how gold prices are set covers premiums and spreads in more detail.
What each karat costs in practice
It helps to see how the metal value changes across karats for the same piece. The table below uses an illustrative spot price of $4,150 per troy ounce and shows only the value of the gold content, before any design, labor or retail margin.
| Item | 10K | 14K | 18K | 22K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 g wedding band | about $222 | about $311 | about $400 | about $489 |
| 8 g chain | about $445 | about $623 | about $801 | about $978 |
| 20 g bangle | about $1,112 | about $1,557 | about $2,001 | about $2,446 |
Two things stand out. First, moving from 14K to 18K raises the gold content of a piece by about 29%, which is why 18K jewelry costs noticeably more for the same design. Second, the retail price of jewelry is usually well above these figures. A jeweler's price includes the design, the craft involved, stones, overheads and margin, and those costs do not scale neatly with karat. A simple 18K band may therefore cost less than twice its gold value, while an intricate piece may cost several times its gold value.
Making charges and how to compare them
In many South Asian and Middle Eastern shops, prices are shown as the gold value at today's rate plus a making charge, either per gram or as a percentage. This transparent structure makes comparison easy: check that the gold rate used matches the day's price for that karat, then compare making charges between shops. In Western markets, prices are usually quoted as a single figure. You can still estimate the implied markup by calculating the gold value with our gold calculator and comparing it with the price tag.
What it means when you sell
When you sell gold jewelry for its metal, most buyers pay a percentage of the melt value, not the retail price you paid. A higher karat piece keeps more of its value in metal terms, simply because it contains more gold. That is one reason families in some cultures prefer 22K for pieces bought partly as savings. If resale value matters to you, higher karats with modest making charges retain more of their cost than lower karats with heavy design markups.
Buying gold jewelry abroad
Travelers often buy gold jewelry in places known for competitive prices, such as the Gulf, India or Southeast Asia. A few precautions help you get genuine value.
- Know the local karat conventions. In India and the Gulf, 22K and 21K are common. Make sure you know which karat you are being quoted for.
- Check local hallmarking. India made hallmarking mandatory for gold jewelry from June 2021, starting in districts with assaying centers, and hallmarked pieces carry a six-digit alphanumeric code known as the HUID, according to the Government of India. Other countries have their own systems; ask what mark to look for.
- Compare the daily rate. Shops usually display the day's gold rate per gram. Compare it with the international price converted into the local currency on our gold price page, bearing in mind local taxes and duties.
- Get an itemized receipt. It should show the weight, karat, gold rate, making charge and taxes. You may need it for customs, insurance or resale.
- Check customs rules at home. Many countries have duty-free allowances and declaration requirements for goods bought abroad, including jewelry. Check your own country's rules before you travel.
- Pay in local currency. If you pay by card, choose the local currency rather than your home currency to avoid expensive dynamic currency conversion, as our guide to paying abroad explains.
Questions to ask the jeweler before you buy
A good jeweler will welcome these questions. Clear answers are a sign you are dealing with a reputable seller.
- What karat is this, and is it marked? Ask to see the stamp or hallmark.
- What is the weight in grams? This lets you calculate the gold value.
- What is the alloy? Especially for white gold, ask whether it contains nickel or palladium.
- Is it solid gold or plated? Confirm whether the piece is solid, gold filled, vermeil or plated.
- Is it rhodium-plated? For white gold, ask how often re-plating will be needed and what it costs.
- What is your buy-back or exchange policy? Some jewelers offer trade-in credit or buy-back at a stated percentage of the gold value.
- What warranty or aftercare is included? Free cleaning, prong checks and resizing can add real value over the life of a piece.
- Can I have a detailed receipt? It should list karat, weight, stones and price for insurance purposes.
Which karat should you choose?
The right karat depends on how the piece will be worn, your budget, your skin, and whether you care about its gold value. Here is a practical guide by use.
Engagement rings
Engagement rings are worn every day for decades and often hold a valuable stone. 14K and 18K are the most common choices. 14K is tougher and holds prongs securely at a lower price; 18K has a richer color and a more luxurious feel but will show wear sooner. If you choose 18K, consider having the prongs checked periodically. Platinum is another option for settings, though it is a different metal with its own price and characteristics.
Wedding bands
Plain bands have no stones to secure, so the main concern is scratching and wear. 14K offers the best durability for everyday wear; 18K is popular for its color and prestige. Many couples choose the same karat as the engagement ring so that the two wear at a similar rate and look consistent side by side.
Everyday chains and bracelets
Chains and bracelets take constant stress at the links and clasp. 14K is usually the best balance of strength and cost. Very fine chains in high karats can stretch or break more easily. For heavier chains worn as a store of value, 18K or 22K can make sense if you accept a little more wear.
Earrings
Earrings, especially the posts that pass through the skin, are where allergy matters most. Higher karats or nickel-free alloys are a good idea for sensitive ears. Because earrings take less mechanical stress than rings, softer karats are less of a problem.
Children's jewelry
Children's jewelry needs to be sturdy and safe. 14K is a common choice. For piercings, nickel-free materials are important. Small, secure designs reduce the risk of loss and injury.
Traditional and occasion jewelry
For wedding sets, festival jewelry and pieces with cultural significance, 22K is often expected and valued. These pieces are typically worn less often, so softness matters less, and their high gold content means they retain more metal value.
Buying gold as an investment
If your main aim is to hold value, jewelry is an inefficient route because of design and retail markups. 24K bullion bars and coins, or 22K bullion coins valued on their pure gold content, usually give you more gold per unit of money spent. If you want jewelry that also holds value, higher karats with low making charges are closer to that goal than lower karats with heavy design costs.
Regional preferences and what they mean for you
Karat preferences vary strongly by market, and understanding them helps when you buy abroad or compare prices online.
- United States and Canada: 14K dominates everyday jewelry, with 10K for budget pieces and 18K for fine jewelry.
- United Kingdom and Australia: 9K is very common for everyday pieces, 18K for fine jewelry and engagement rings, and 22K for some traditional items.
- Continental Europe: 18K (750) is the standard for fine jewelry, with 14K (585) common in some countries and 8K (333) found in budget jewelry in Germany.
- India, the Gulf and Southeast Asia: 22K dominates traditional jewelry, with 18K growing for modern designs and diamond-set pieces.
- Middle East and North Africa: 21K and 18K are widely used.
When comparing prices across markets, always compare the price per gram of pure gold content plus the making charge, rather than the headline price of a piece. A 22K necklace will naturally cost more per gram than a 9K one because it contains more than twice as much gold.
Testing and verifying karat
Stamps can wear off, and occasionally they are wrong. If you need to confirm the karat of a piece, several methods exist:
- Hallmark check: In the UK, an independent hallmark is strong evidence. Elsewhere, a clear stamp plus a maker's mark from a reputable brand is a good sign.
- Acid testing: Jewelers use testing acids on a touchstone to estimate the karat. It is quick and cheap but slightly destructive to the tested spot and requires skill.
- Electronic testers: Handheld devices measure electrical properties to estimate karat. Results can be affected by plating.
- X-ray fluorescence (XRF): Non-destructive analysis that measures the elements present at the surface. Many serious buyers and assay offices use it. Thick plating can still affect results.
- Fire assay: The most accurate method, used by assay offices and refiners, but it destroys the sample.
For everyday purposes, a reputable jeweler's XRF or acid test is usually enough. For high-value pieces or inheritance disputes, an assay office report provides stronger evidence.
Caring for gold of different karats
- Remove rings for heavy work. Gym sessions, gardening and manual work can scratch and bend even 14K.
- Clean gently. Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush are enough for most gold jewelry. Avoid harsh chemicals, especially chlorine, which can damage alloys over time.
- Store pieces separately. Harder items can scratch softer ones. Keep 22K and 24K pieces in soft pouches.
- Re-plate white gold as needed. When white gold starts to look yellowish, a jeweler can re-apply rhodium.
- Have settings checked. Prongs on engagement rings should be inspected periodically, particularly in 18K and higher.
Repairs, resizing and mixing karats
The karat you choose also affects what happens when a piece needs work. Jewelers repair gold with solder, a gold alloy designed to melt at a slightly lower temperature than the piece itself. For a clean, durable repair that keeps the piece's purity, the solder should match the karat and color. A reputable jeweler will use matching solder, and in the UK, repairs to hallmarked items must not reduce the article below the standard of its hallmark.
Resizing a ring is usually straightforward in 14K and 18K. Sizing up often requires adding a small piece of matching gold, which adds a little material cost; sizing down removes a small section, which some jewelers credit back. Very high karat rings can be resized too, but their softness means the ring may need extra care afterwards. White gold rings typically need re-plating after resizing, because the heat and polishing remove the rhodium around the join.
Many people wear rings or bracelets of different karats together. That is fine aesthetically, but softer pieces will wear faster where they rub against harder ones. An 18K wedding band worn next to a 14K engagement ring, for example, may slowly show more wear on the side that touches. Keeping the two rings in the same karat, or accepting occasional polishing, avoids surprises.
Finally, if you inherit pieces in different karats and want to combine them into a new design, remember that melting mixed karats together produces an alloy of uncertain purity. Jewelers usually prefer to trade old gold for its metal value against a new piece made from fresh alloy of a known karat, which keeps the finished item properly marked.
Common myths about gold karats
"Higher karat is always better quality"
Higher karat means more gold, not better craftsmanship or suitability. For a daily-wear ring, 14K can be the better-quality choice because it lasts longer.
"White gold is a different metal"
White gold is gold alloyed with white metals and usually rhodium-plated. An 18K white gold ring contains the same 75% gold as an 18K yellow gold ring.
"24K jewelry is the best investment"
24K jewelry contains the most gold, but you still pay design and retail costs, and softness can lead to damage. For pure investment, bullion is usually more efficient.
"The stamp guarantees the purity"
In the UK, independent hallmarking gives strong assurance. In many other countries, stamps are applied by manufacturers and are only as reliable as the company behind them. Buying from reputable sellers matters.
"Gold never tarnishes"
Pure gold does not tarnish, but the alloy metals in lower karats can, especially silver and copper. 9K and 10K gold may darken slightly over time, which a jeweler can polish away.
Frequently asked questions
Is 14K or 18K better for an engagement ring?
Both are good choices. 14K is more durable and less expensive; 18K has a richer color and more gold. People with active hands often prefer 14K, while those who prioritize color and prestige often choose 18K.
What does 585 mean on gold?
585 is the fineness mark for 14K gold, meaning 585 parts per thousand are gold, or about 58.5%.
What does 750 mean on gold?
750 is the fineness mark for 18K gold, meaning 75% gold.
Is 22K gold good for everyday wear?
22K is soft and scratches or bends more easily than 14K or 18K. It suits necklaces and bangles worn on special occasions better than rings worn every day.
Can you wear 24K gold jewelry every day?
You can, but it will scratch, dent and deform quickly, and it cannot hold gemstones securely. Most people keep 24K for bullion or occasional wear.
Which karat is least likely to cause an allergy?
Higher karats contain less alloy metal and are less likely to cause reactions. Nickel-free white gold and yellow or rose gold are safer choices for people with nickel allergies.
How much is my gold worth per gram?
Multiply the weight in grams by today's price per gram for its karat. The gold price page and gold calculator on this site show live values in your currency.
Can 14K or 10K gold turn my finger green?
Occasionally. Lower karats contain more copper and other metals, which can react with sweat, lotions or cleaning products and leave a harmless green or dark mark on the skin. Keeping the ring clean and dry usually solves it; switching to a higher karat reduces the chance.
Is 10K gold real gold?
Yes. 10K gold is about 41.7% gold and is legally sold as gold in the United States and Canada. It is more durable and cheaper than higher karats but contains less gold.
The bottom line
Karat is a trade-off between gold content and practicality. Higher karats offer richer color and more gold value per gram but are softer; lower karats are tougher and cheaper but contain less gold and are more likely to irritate sensitive skin. For most everyday jewelry, 14K is a dependable choice; 18K is the benchmark for fine jewelry; 22K suits traditional and occasional pieces; and 24K belongs mostly in bullion.
Whatever you choose, knowing the karat and weight lets you work out the gold value in seconds. Check today's price per gram for every karat on the gold price page, value your pieces with the gold calculator, and see how gold is moving today on the market movers page.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission – Buying platinum, gold and silver jewelry
- Federal Register – Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries (2018)
- The Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office London – FAQs
- UK Government – Hallmarking guidance notes
- Competition Bureau Canada – Guide to the Precious Metals Marking Act and Regulations
- Competition Bureau Canada – Detailed requirements for marking of precious metals
- Government of India (PIB) – Mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery from 16 June 2021
Reviewed: September 28, 2026. Values in examples use an illustrative gold price. This article is for general information only and is not financial advice.