22ct gold stamped 916 by the London Assay Office, contains 91.6% pure gold. That is the standard for South Asian fine jewellery in the UK: deeper in colour, closer to bullion in value, and the expected purity for every important occasion from Diwali gifts to full bridal sets.
Every piece at PureJewels carries a full UK hallmark. The purity has been independently tested and stamped, not just claimed on a label. If a seller cannot show you the assay mark, that “22ct” is unverifiable.
Rosette Garland Necklace | 16 Inch
£1,705.00
22ct Gold Bloom Stud Earrings
£310.00
22ct Sunrise Gold Rosettes Floral Stud
£280.00 – £310.00Price range: £280.00 through £310.00
Sale
22ct Gold Enamel Floral Pendant
£800.00
22ct Gold | Foxtail Chain | 22 Inches
£2,000.00
22ct Gold Refined Facet Hoops
£350.00
Sale
22ct Yellow Gold Studs
£965.00
What 22ct Gold Actually Means
22 carat means 22 parts out of 24 are pure gold — 91.6% gold content. The remaining 2 parts are copper and silver alloy, added for structural strength. Pure 24ct gold is too soft for daily wear jewellery.
Caratage | Fineness Mark | Gold % | Typical Use |
24ct | 999 | 99.9% | Investment bars and coins |
22ct | 916 | 91.6% | South Asian bridal & fine jewellery |
18ct | 750 | 75.0% | Western and contemporary fine jewellery |
9ct | 375 | 37.5% | High-street fashion jewellery |
What to Watch Out For When Buying 22ct Gold
- Hallmark — look for the 916 fineness mark plus the assay office sponsor mark. Without both, the carat claim is unverifiable
- Making charges — the labour fee added on top of the gold weight price. At PureJewels these are shown separately; ask for the breakdown before any purchase
- Weight — for plain pieces (chains, bangles, kadas), gram weight drives the price. Always ask for it
- Hollow vs solid — hollow-link chains and bangles look similar to solid pieces but use less gold and are more fragile. Ask which you are buying
- Sunrise Gold — PureJewels’ exclusive 22ct alloy blend. Still 916 hallmarked; the blend gives a consistent warm colour across our range
Why South Asian Families Choose 22ct
Across Punjabi, Gujarati, Tamil, Pakistani and Bengali traditions, 22ct is the default standard — not a compromise. It holds value closer to bullion, carries the deep yellow-gold colour that reads as “real gold” in South Asian communities, and is the expected purity for gifts at weddings, naming ceremonies, Diwali and Eid. Giving a 9ct piece in its place can cause genuine offence.
Also Known As — Regional Names
- Sona — Hindi/Urdu/Punjabi word for gold. “Sona ka zevar” = gold jewellery
- Kangan / Bangri / Kada — bangles (Punjabi)
- Jhumka / Jhumki — drop or bell-shaped earrings
- Haar — necklace. Rani haar: long layered necklace
- Payal / Pazeb — anklet
- Nath / Nathni — nose ring or nose stud
- Tikka / Passa — bridal head jewellery (maang tikka along the parting; passa worn to the side)