"All that glitters is not gold."
What do we mean by karats?
Before understanding the difference between 22K and 24K, one must know what K or karat stands for.
It is a term used to measure the purity of gold. The higher the karat value, the purer the gold would be. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 24.
With this in mind, 24K gold is the purest gold you can buy. One should know that gold is malleable in its pure state. Other metals such as copper, nickel, silver, palladium are added in the composition to strengthen it and produce jewellery. Thus, one can say that karat is also measurement of the ratio of gold to other metals or alloys. Different types of gold (according to karat) Below are the common karat available in the market
24 Karat Gold: 24K gold signifies 99.9 percent purity and also called pure gold as it doesn’t contain traces of any other metals. One should know that there is no higher form of gold than 24K. If we talk about 24K gold price in India, it fluctuates every day.
But since this is the purest form of gold, it is naturally more expensive than 22K or 18K. However, it is suited for investment purposes but not for regular forms of jewellery as it is too soft for the latter purpose.
22 Karat Gold: It contains 22 parts of gold mixed with 2 parts of other metals such as copper, zinc. Due to other traces of metal in the composition, it is harder than a 24K pure gold and thus, appropriate to make jewellery. Gold of this karat is also known as ‘916 gold’ as it comprises 91.67% of pure gold.
18 Karat Gold: It contains 18 parts of gold to 6 parts of other metals. In percentage terms, 18K gold is equal to 75% gold and the other 25% contains other metals such as Zinc, copper, nickel, etc.
The additional metals in 18K gold makes it harder & durable than 24K and 22K, which is too soft for jeweller. 14 Karat Gold: It is made up of 58.3% gold and 41.7% of other metals. Compared to 18k gold, 14K is more durable as well as affordable.
The 14K gold jewellery is ideal for everyday use and offers more resistance to wear and tear than 18 and 22K gold.
Note: Apart from the above-mentioned karat, other karat ranging from 10K, 9K gold are also available in the market. However, all of them have low gold content and are not suitable for those who are looking for some return value.
Difference between 24K Gold and 22K Gold
Here is the key difference between 24K gold and 22K gold:
Purity: 24K signifies 99.9 % purity and 22K is approximately 91 percent pure gold, with the other 9% consisting of other metals such as copper, silver,zinc, etc.
Durability: While 24K gold is brilliant in colour, the jewellery (if made) with 24K gold won’t be as durable as 22K gold jewellery.
It is because 24K gold is too soft to resist wear and tear. The presence of additional metals in 22K gold helps to make the jewellery more durable. Cost: Since 24K gold is 99.9% pure, it is more expensive than 22K gold 24K gold or 22K gold- Which one should I go for?
If one is looking for investment, then it is ideal to go for a 24K gold coin/bar. It is because 22K gold coin/bar won’t fetch the same value at the time of selling as 24K gold as the latter contains 99.9% gold.
However, if you are buying gold for jewellery then go for 22K as it will withstand wear and tear better than 24K gold, and has the most amount of gold in jewellery form.
Why is 22K gold preferred over 24K gold? 22K gold is preferred in case of jewellery. It is because 24K gold is malleable in its pure state and jewellery made with this kind of gold will break easily.
Thus, most people prefer 22K over 24K gold as it also helps them to get better value when sold. Should I buy 22k gold or 24k gold as an investment?
If you are purchasing gold as an investment or emergency fund (or perhaps portfolio diversification) then go for 24K gold. 24K gold contains 99.9% gold whereas 22K gold contains 91.7% gold.
When you are buying a 24K gold coin/bar, always look for a hallmark certification to ensure its purity. It is better to buy gold from a BIS hallmarked jeweller so that you get prevalent value of gold when you sell it.
Which Karat gold is best for jewellery? It depends on how much you will be wearing that piece of jewellery or how simple or intricate you would like that piece to be. 14K or 18K gold jewellery is perfect for those who want to wear gold jewellery everyday and at the same time want intricate work.
This is not possible in the case of 22K gold jewellery as it will be too soft to hold gems, if any, or withstand regular wear and tear.
How can I measure gold purity using karats? It is fairly easy to calculate the amount of gold in the gold jewellery you have bought through the number of karats.
For e.g, you purchase a ring that is 14K gold. Since the gold purity is measured on a scale of 0 to 24, divide 14 by 24 which will give you 0.583.
This means your 14K gold ring contains 58.3% gold.
How do you test gold purity at "home"?
Inspect the gold closely for a stamp (or "hallmark") that indicates its purity, or lack thereof. A gold-plated item may have "GF" or "HGP" stamped on it, while pure gold pieces may have "24K" stamped on them. You can also hold the gold item up to a magnet—if it seems drawn to the magnet, it isn't pure gold.
1.Look for a hallmark. A piece of gold will usually be stamped with a mark indicating its type. A stamp of “GF” or “HGP” indicates that the piece is gold-plated, not pure gold. In contrast, a pure gold piece of jewelry may show a “24K” or other marking indicating fineness.
Hallmarks are usually located inside the band of rings or near the clasp on necklaces. However, be aware that some hallmarks can be faked.
This is why it’s important to use a mark as only one of many indicators of authenticity.
The hallmark may be very small. You might even need a magnifying glass in order to see it clearly.
2.Look for fading around the edges of the piece. Turn on a bright light or lamp. Hold the piece close to the lamp’s light. Rotate it in your hand, so that you can examine all of the edges in particular. If you see that the gold appears faded or worn away at the edges, then it’s likely wear on the plating. This means that piece isn’t pure gold.
3. Look for spotting on the piece’s surface. If you hold the piece under a bright light, do you notice white or red spots anywhere on it? The spots may be very tiny and difficult to see. That is why it’s important to examine the piece under a bright light and maybe with a magnifying glass. These spots indicate that the gold plating may be wearing away showing the metal underneath.
4. Place a magnet against the potential gold item. Hold a magnet directly above the piece. Lower the magnet until it is almost touches the surface of the item. If you feel as if the magnet is being drawn or pulled downward, then the item is not pure. The other metals in the item, such as nickel, are responding to the magnet. A pure gold piece will not draw the magnet, since non-ferrous.
5. Apply some vinegar to the surface and look for a color change. Get a dropper and fill it up with white vinegar. Hold your metal object firmly in your hand or set it on a table. Place a few drops of vinegar onto the object. If the drops change the color of the metal, then it is not pure gold. If the color stays the same, then it is pure gold.
6.Rub your gold against a jeweler’s stone. Position a black jeweler’s stone on a table. Hold your gold piece firmly in your hand. Wipe it across the stone firmly enough to leave a mark. If the mark that you’ve left on the stone is solid and gold in color, then the piece is pure. If there is no line or only a faint one, then the piece is likely plated or not gold at all.
Be careful with this method as you run the risk of damaging your jewelry. You also have to use the right type of stone or the marks will be meaningless. You can get a jeweler’s stone through a jewelry supply store online or by talking with your local jeweler.
7. Rub your gold across a ceramic plate. Set an unglazed ceramic plate firmly on a countertop or table. Hold your gold item in your hand. Scrape the item against the plate. Watch to see if a streak or line of any type appears. A black line indicates that the item is not gold or is plated.
8.Test your gold against liquid foundation makeup. Coat the top of your hand with a thin layer of liquid foundation. Wait until the foundation is dry. Press your metal item against the foundation and rub. Authentic pure gold will leave a line in the makeup. If you do not see a line, then the object is plated or another metal.
9. Use an electronic gold tester. This is a small hand-held device with a probe at the end that you can buy online or through a jewelry supply store. To analyze a metal, you rub a conductive “tester” gel on to the metal item. This gel is usually available for purchase from the same places that sell testing devices.
After you’ve applied the gel, rub the probe against the item. How the metal responds to the electricity will indicate whether or not it is pure metal.
Use the instructions that come with your tester to determine the exact results. Gold is a conductive metal, so a pure gold piece will have higher readings than a plated one.
10. Insert your gold into an XRF machine. This is a machine that many jewelers use to instantly determine the quality of a metal sample. Because of its cost this method may not be suitable for home use, unless you plan on using it regularly. To use an XRF scanner, place the piece of metal inside, activate the machine, and wait for the read out.
11.Take your gold to an assayer. If you keep getting mixed results or if you’d like to verify your finding, talk to your jeweler about getting another professional opinion.
An assayer will perform a deep analysis of the content of the metal. This can be a costly option, so only use it if you believe your item may be worthwhile.
12. Buy an acid testing kit for a more precise estimate of gold karat purity. You can purchase one of these kits through a jewelry tool supplier.
The kit will contain all of the materials that you’ll need along with a set of detailed instructions. Make sure to read the instructions carefully before beginning and conduct an inventory of the supplies before starting.
These kits can be quite affordable, if ordered online. They start at around $30.
14.Inspect the needles for karat value labels. Your kit will contain a number of needles that you’ll use for testing different types of gold. Look for a karat value marking on the side of the needle. Each needle will also have a colored gold sample at the tip. Use the yellow needle for yellow gold and the white needle for white gold.
15.Make a notch with an engraving tool. Turn the piece around until you find a less noticeable spot. Hold an engraving tool firmly in your hand and make a small divot in the metal. The goal is to expose the deeper layers of the metal.
16 Put on protective gloves and goggles. Since you are working with acid, it’s important to don thick, but fitted, gloves. Eye protection is also a good idea, just to be extra cautious. Avoid touching your face or your eyes while working with the acid.
17. Place a drop of acid on the notch. Select the proper needle for the gold type. Then, hold the needle tip directly over the notch. Push the plunger of the needle down until a single drop of acid drops into the divot.
19. Read the results. Look closely at the divot that you made earlier and where you just applied the acid. The acid will react with the metal and may turn a particular color. Generally, if the acid turns a green color, this indicates that the piece is not pure metal, but instead gold plated or another metal entirely.
Since testing kits have different color indications, make sure to read the color guide carefully as you interpret the test results.
You can also do the nitric acid test. Nitric acid can help determine the presence of base metals in gold items. Apply a small amount of nitric acid to a discreet part of the item.
Observe any color changes; if the acid causes the metal to turn green, it may indicate a lower gold content.
How can you tell if something is gold without hallmark? Expert Answer It would be needed to test it in a scientific way - by acid testing, or electronic testing, or laser testing.
Typically you'll want to find a jewelry appraiser to do that for you. It costs money, but it is highly recommended if you are going to sell jewelry. It would be a poor financial decision to make assumptions on your own.
Good video about check gold; https://youtu.be/oek3cSKhy8o?si=CfYjqJPW8zQ7hRQk
This is information you can use on your own risk, we just give you some idea how you can check gold purity.
Sincere
Nordmanden.dk