What does the term “Carat” mean in gold?

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The term “Carat” (often spelled “Karat” in the United States) when referring to gold is a measure of purity, indicating how much pure gold is present in an alloy.

What Does Carat Mean in Gold?

Gold in its purest form is very soft and not suitable for everyday wear. Therefore, it is mixed with other metals like copper, silver, or zinc to increase its strength. The carat system measures how much of the metal is pure gold.

Gold Carat Breakdown

  • 24 Carat (24ct) = 100% pure gold (99.9% technically)

  • 22 Carat (22ct) = 91.6% pure gold, 8.4% alloyed metals

  • 18 Carat (18ct) = 75% pure gold

  • 14 Carat (14ct) = 58.5% pure gold

Each carat represents 1/24th of the whole. So, 22ct gold means 22 parts gold and 2 parts other metals.

Why It Matters

  • 24ct Gold: Richest in colour, very soft—used for coins and investment bars.

  • 22ct Gold: Ideal for traditional and bridal jewellery—luxurious yet durable.

  • 18ct & 14ct Gold: More durable, ideal for everyday wear and contemporary styles.

At PureJewels, our jewellery is predominantly crafted in 22ct gold, offering the perfect balance between purity, elegance, and wearability—each piece hallmarked by the London Assay Office to ensure authenticity.

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