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Buying gold — whether for Akshaya Tritiya, a wedding, or as an investment — starts with one fundamental question: which karat is right for you?

At Rupashree Jewellers, Kolkata’s trusted gold jewellery store since the 1920s, we help thousands of customers make this decision every year. This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about gold purity — 24K, 22K, 18K, and 14K — so you can make the smartest purchase this Akshaya Tritiya 2026.

Understanding Gold Purity: What Do the Numbers Mean?

Gold purity is measured in karats (K), with 24 karat being the purest form. Here’s the breakdown:

Karat	Gold Content	Purity (%)	Hallmark Number	Best For
24K	24/24 parts gold	99.9%	999	Investment, gold coins, bars
22K	22/24 parts gold	91.6%	916	Traditional jewellery, bangles, necklaces
18K	18/24 parts gold	75.0%	750	Diamond jewellery, modern designs, daily wear
14K	14/24 parts gold	58.3%	585	Lightweight daily wear, budget-friendly

22K Gold: The Gold Standard for Indian Jewellery

22 karat gold (91.6% pure) is the most popular choice for traditional Indian and Bengali jewellery. It contains 22 parts gold and 2 parts alloy metals (typically copper or silver), which give it the strength needed for intricate jewellery designs while maintaining the rich, warm yellow colour that Indians love.

Why choose 22K gold:

• Traditional appeal: The deep yellow colour that defines Indian gold jewellery
• High resale value: 91.6% pure gold means excellent buyback and exchange value
• Ideal for heavy pieces: Strong enough for chur bangles, sitahar, and bridal sets
• Cultural significance: The standard for Bengali wedding jewellery and festive purchases
• BIS hallmark 916: Look for this number to verify 22K purity

Best 22K gold jewellery at Rupashree Jewellers:

• Chur and Bangles
• Sitahar and Necklaces
• Traditional Earrings
• Wedding Collections

18K Gold: Modern, Durable & Diamond-Ready

18 karat gold (75% pure) is the preferred choice for diamond jewellery and contemporary designs. The higher alloy content makes it harder and more durable — ideal for settings that need to securely hold precious stones.

Why choose 18K gold:

• Diamond settings: The extra hardness secures diamonds and gemstones firmly
• Durability: More resistant to scratches — perfect for daily-wear rings and bracelets
• Colour options: Available in yellow, white, and rose gold variations
• Modern aesthetics: Slightly lighter colour works beautifully for contemporary designs
• Lower price per gram: 25% less gold content means more affordable per gram

Best 18K gold jewellery at Rupashree Jewellers:

• Diamond Jewellery Collection
• Jonaki Lightweight Collection

24K Gold: Pure Investment Gold

24 karat gold (99.9% pure) is the purest form of gold available. It is too soft for most jewellery but ideal for investment purposes.

Key facts about 24K gold:

• Not suitable for jewellery: Too soft and malleable — bends and scratches easily
• Investment use: Gold coins, bars, and bullion are made in 24K
• Highest resale value: Commands the best price per gram
• BIS hallmark 999: Look for this to verify 24K purity

Which Karat Should You Choose? A Quick Guide

Occasion / Purpose	Recommended Karat	Why
Bengali wedding jewellery	22K	Traditional, high value, rich colour
Poila Baishakh / Akshaya Tritiya	22K	Auspicious gold with maximum purity for jewellery
Diamond engagement ring	18K	Secure diamond setting, durable for daily wear
Daily wear earrings or ring	18K	Scratch-resistant, durable
Gift for elders / parents	22K	Traditional preference, highest jewellery-grade value
Gold investment	24K	Purest form, best resale value
Lightweight modern pieces	18K	Affordable, stylish, durable

How to Verify Gold Purity: The BIS Hallmark

Always buy BIS hallmarked gold to ensure you get exactly what you pay for. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmark is your guarantee of gold purity.

What to look for on the hallmark:

• BIS logo: The triangular Bureau of Indian Standards mark
• Purity grade: 999 (24K), 916 (22K), 750 (18K), or 585 (14K)
• Assaying centre code: Identifies the testing laboratory
• Jeweller’s identification mark: The maker’s unique code

At Rupashree Jewellers, every single piece of gold jewellery carries the BIS hallmark. We never sell non-hallmarked gold — your purity is always guaranteed.

Gold Price Comparison by Karat (Kolkata)

Gold prices vary by karat. Here is how they typically compare:

• 24K gold: Highest price per gram (base rate)
• 22K gold: Approximately 5-8% less than 24K per gram
• 18K gold: Approximately 20-25% less than 24K per gram
• 14K gold: Approximately 35-40% less than 24K per gram

Note: Actual prices depend on daily gold rates, making charges, and design complexity. Visit Rupashree Jewellers for today’s rates.

Why Choose Rupashree Jewellers for Gold Jewellery

• 100% BIS hallmarked gold — guaranteed purity on every piece
• Both 22K and 18K collections — traditional and modern designs under one roof
• 900+ designs to choose from across all categories
• Certified diamonds with international certification
• Heritage since 1920s — over 100 years of trust in Kolkata
• Best exchange rates on old gold
• Buyback guarantee on all purchases
• EMI available for high-value purchases

FAQ

Q: Is 22K or 18K gold better for jewellery?

A: It depends on your purpose. 22K gold is better for traditional Indian jewellery, bangles, and necklaces — it has a richer yellow colour and higher resale value. 18K gold is better for diamond settings, daily-wear rings, and modern designs because it is more durable.

Q: How can I check if my gold is 22K or 18K?

A: Look for the BIS hallmark on the jewellery. 22K gold will show “916” and 18K gold will show “750” on the hallmark stamp. All jewellery at Rupashree Jewellers is BIS hallmarked for verified purity.

Q: Which karat gold gives the best resale value?

A: 24K gold gives the best per-gram resale value since it is 99.9% pure. Among jewellery, 22K gold gives better resale value than 18K because of its higher gold content (91.6% vs 75%).

Q: Can I exchange 18K gold for 22K gold?

A: Yes! At Rupashree Jewellers, we accept gold of all karats for exchange. You can upgrade your 18K pieces to 22K by paying the difference in gold value plus making charges on the new piece.

Q: What karat is used for gold bangles in Bengal?

A: Traditional Bengali gold bangles (chur, bauti, ratan chur) are almost always made in 22K gold. This is because Bengali jewellery tradition values the rich yellow colour and high purity that 22K provides.

Visit Rupashree Jewellers to explore our complete collection of 22K and 18K BIS hallmarked gold jewellery at 128 Rashbehari Avenue, near Deshapriya Park, Kolkata – 700029. Call us at +919830882821 or browse online at rupashreejewellers.com.