Top News

In India, gold isn’t just a precious metal; it’s the foundation of our traditions, social standing, and financial security. Whether it’s a wedding or a festival like Dhanteras and Diwali, buying gold has always been considered auspicious in Indian families. But whenever a common man steps into a jewelry shop, the math of carats presents a dilemma. The shopkeeper immediately asks whether he wants 24 carat, 22 carat, or 18 carat.

In fact, most people make the mistake of judging gold’s price and purity solely by its shine. It’s crucial to understand that the purer the gold, the softer and more malleable it is. This is why 100% pure gold can never be used to create durable jewelry. Let’s explore, in simple terms, how gold purity is determined, what carat actually means, and which gold you should choose based on your budget and needs.

Gold is available in many colors across the world, not just yellow.

Did you know that the ‘Au’ symbol used to represent gold in chemistry is connected to the ancient Latin word ‘Aurum’? It literally means ‘sunrise glow’ or ‘shining morning’. Generally, only yellow gold is seen in trend in our country. However, more than 15 types of gold are sold in the international market depending on the color and quality. In many parts of the world, people like to wear white, pink (rose gold), green, purple and even black gold.

The real game of carats: Know the difference between 24, 22 and 18 carats

The term “carat” comes up frequently when shopping, but few people understand its true meaning. Simply put, a carat represents one-24th of the weight of a piece of gold. This indicates how much of the piece of jewelry or metal is pure gold and how much is mixed with other metals, such as copper or silver. There are five main types of carat gold sold in the market:

• 24-carat gold: This is 99.9% pure and is considered the purest gold. However, due to its extremely soft nature, it is not suitable for direct jewelry making. Therefore, people primarily purchase it as an investment, either in the form of coins or bars.
• 22-carat gold (916 gold): Contains 91.7% pure gold and the remaining 8.3% is other metals. Most traditional and heavy jewelry made in India is made from 22-carat gold.
• 18-karat gold: This is a mixture of 75% pure gold and 25% other metals. If you’re buying diamond jewelry or lightweight fancy jewelry, 18-karat is considered the most durable and suitable.
• 14-karat gold: Contains 58.3% gold. It is very strong and ideal for daily wear jewelry.
• 10 carat gold: It has only 41.7% gold content and is considered the most economical.

How is the purity of gold checked?

When investing your hard-earned money in gold, avoiding fraud should be your top priority. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has established strict rules and standards for verifying the authenticity of gold. Three key points should be kept in mind to distinguish between real and fake gold:

1. BIS Hallmark: It is mandatory to have a hallmark mark on the jewellery, which certifies that the gold has been tested as per government standards.
2. Carat and Purity Mark: Jewellery is stamped with a mark like 22K916 or 18K750, which indicates its exact purity.
3. 6-digit HUID code: This is a unique 6-digit alphanumeric code for each piece of jewelry. Using this code, you can track the jewelry’s entire history and purity within minutes using the BIS Care app.

If you’re buying gold solely for investment purposes, 24-carat coins or digital gold are the best options. However, if you’re looking for durable jewelry for a family wedding or personal use, opting for 22-carat or 18-carat gold would be wise.