Gold Price per Gram by Karat: 24K, 22K, 18K and 14K Explained
Jewelry is rarely pure gold. Here is how karats work, how to turn the ounce price into a price per gram for each purity, and what to expect when you buy or sell.
Key takeaways
- Karat measures purity: 24K is pure gold, 18K is 75% gold, 14K is about 58% gold.
- Price per gram of pure gold = spot price per troy ounce ÷ 31.1035.
- Multiply that by the purity to get the gold value of any karat.
- Jewelry sells above its gold value and is bought back below it.
Karat and purity
| Karat | Gold content | Fineness mark | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 999 | Bars, coins, some Asian jewelry |
| 22K | 91.7% | 916 | Gold coins, Indian and Gulf jewelry |
| 21K | 87.5% | 875 | Middle East and North Africa jewelry |
| 18K | 75.0% | 750 | Fine jewelry in Europe and the US |
| 14K | 58.3% | 585 | Most US jewelry |
| 10K | 41.7% | 417 | Lowest karat sold as gold in the US |
The rest of the metal is usually silver, copper or zinc, which make the piece harder and change its color. Look for the stamped mark, such as "750" or "14K," on the clasp or inside a ring.
How to calculate the price per gram
- Take the gold spot price per troy ounce, shown live on our gold page.
- Divide by 31.1035 to get the price of one gram of pure gold.
- Multiply by the purity of your karat.
Example at $4,170/oz: 24K ≈ $134.07/g · 22K ≈ $122.90/g · 18K ≈ $100.55/g · 14K ≈ $78.21/g
These are example figures. Recalculate with today's live price. Our gold investment calculator converts ounces, grams and kilograms for you.
Why jewelry costs more than its gold value
A jeweler's price includes design, labor, stones and the store's margin. Simple chains can sell close to their gold value; designer pieces may sell for several times it. When you sell old jewelry, buyers typically pay a percentage of the melt value, because they need to refine it.
Tips before you sell
- Sort pieces by karat and weigh each group separately.
- Know the melt value before you walk in, using the formula above.
- Get at least two or three offers, and ask how each buyer calculates its price.
- Separate pieces with valuable stones or brand names, which may be worth more than melt value.
Local gold prices in Gulf and North African markets are tracked by our sister sites Dahab Dubai, Rial Dahabi and Dinar Dahabi.
This article is general education, not personalized financial advice. Read our editorial policy and disclaimer.
