Updated September 8, 2026 · By Bulawan
Definition: karat and fineness
Karat is the number of parts of pure gold in 24 parts of metal. 18K means 18 of 24 parts are gold, or 75%. Fineness expresses the same thing in parts per thousand: 18K = 750.
Purity comparison table
| Karat | Purity | Fineness mark | Price vs 24K |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 999 | 100% |
| 22K | 91.67% | 916 | 91.67% |
| 21K | 87.5% | 875 | 87.5% |
| 18K | 75% | 750 | 75% |
| 14K | 58.5% | 585 | 58.5% |
How purity changes the price per gram
Bulawan derives every karat price from the 24K market reference: 22K = 24K × 22/24, 21K = 24K × 21/24, 18K = 24K × 18/24, 14K = 24K × 0.585. Multiply by your item's weight in grams to get the reference gold value.
Reference gold value only. Actual buying, selling, retail, and pawnshop values may vary based on purity testing, workmanship, condition, stones, buyer margins, and location.
Frequently asked questions
- Is 24K gold pure?
- 24K is 99.9% pure gold — the highest commercially available purity. It is soft and rarely used for daily-wear jewelry.
- What does 750 mean on gold?
- 750 means 750 parts per thousand pure gold, which is 18 karat (75%).
- Which karat is most common in the Philippines?
- 18K is the most common karat in Philippine retail jewelry. 21K and 22K are common in jewelry brought from the Middle East.
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