Choosing between 9K, 14K and 18K gold changes how your jewellery looks, how it wears and what it costs. We come from a family that has worked in gold for over 60 years, and here is the simple version we share with customers.
What does "karat" mean?
Karat (K or KT) measures how much pure gold is in the metal, out of 24 parts. 24K is pure gold, which is too soft for most jewellery, so it is mixed with other metals (alloys) like silver, copper and zinc for strength and colour.
| Karat | Pure gold | Hallmark number |
|---|---|---|
| 9K | 37.5% | 375 |
| 14K | 58.5% | 585 |
| 18K | 75% | 750 |
| 22K | 91.6% | 916 |
9K gold
- Look: a softer, paler gold colour.
- Strength: very hard and scratch resistant, thanks to the higher alloy content.
- Price: the most affordable way to own solid gold jewellery.
- Best for: everyday rings, studs and pieces you never take off, and for setting moissanite at a lower overall price.
14K gold
- Look: a rich, warm gold that still looks clearly "gold".
- Strength: durable enough for daily wear and holds stones securely.
- Price: the middle ground, and the most popular choice for diamond jewellery worldwide.
- Best for: engagement rings, lab grown diamond solitaires, tennis bracelets and studs.
18K gold
- Look: the deepest, most luxurious colour of the three.
- Strength: softer, so it can scratch or bend more easily with heavy wear.
- Price: the highest, as it contains the most gold.
- Best for: heirloom pieces, bridal jewellery and anyone with sensitive skin who wants the highest gold content.
What about 22K?
22K is the traditional choice for Indian gold jewellery and investment. It is beautiful but too soft to hold diamonds and gemstones securely over time, which is why stone-set jewellery is usually made in 9K, 14K or 18K.
Yellow, white or rose gold?
Colour comes from the alloy, not the gold itself. Yellow gold keeps the classic warm tone, rose gold adds copper for a pink glow, and white gold is mixed with white metals and usually rhodium plated for a bright finish. All three are available in any karat.
How karat affects price
Gold is priced by weight at that day's rate, multiplied by its purity. A ring in 18K gold contains twice as much pure gold as the same ring in 9K. Want to see how it all adds up? Read our lab grown diamond ring price guide, which walks through a real example.
Always check the hallmark
In India, gold jewellery must carry a BIS hallmark with the purity number (375, 585 or 750) and a unique HUID code. You can verify the HUID on the government BIS Care app. Never buy gold jewellery without it.
Our quick recommendation
- Moissanite on a budget: 925 silver or 9K gold.
- Lab grown diamond engagement ring: 14K gold.
- Heirloom or bridal piece: 18K gold.
Shop lab grown diamond rings and moissanite rings in your choice of gold, or design your own. Still unsure? Visit our Lucknow stores (11:45 AM to 8:45 PM, closed Wednesdays) and compare them side by side.