When selling or buying gold in Chennai, understanding purity is essential because it directly determines the value of your jewellery. The karat system measures how much pure gold is present in an alloy, with 24 karat being the purest form. This guide explains every karat level you are likely to encounter, how to identify purity, and what it means for the price you receive when selling.
What Does Karat Mean
The karat system divides pure gold into 24 parts. A piece of 22 karat gold contains 22 parts pure gold and 2 parts other metals like copper, silver, or zinc. These other metals are added to improve durability and sometimes to change the colour of the gold. The word karat (abbreviated as K or KT) should not be confused with carat, which is a unit of weight used for gemstones.
24 Karat Gold (99.9% Pure)
24K gold is the purest commercially available form of gold with 99.9% gold content. It has a rich, deep yellow colour and is extremely soft and malleable. Because of its softness, 24K gold is rarely used for jewellery in India. It is primarily used for gold coins, bars, and biscuits meant for investment purposes. When you sell 24K gold, you receive the highest per-gram rate as there is virtually no alloy content to deduct.
Purity: 99.9% (999 fineness) - Hallmark stamp: 999 - Common forms: Coins, bars, biscuits - Colour: Deep bright yellow - Durability: Very soft, scratches easily
22 Karat Gold (91.67% Pure)
22K gold is the most popular choice for jewellery in India, especially in South India and Chennai. It contains 91.67% pure gold and 8.33% other metals. The 916 stamp you see on Indian jewellery refers to this purity level (916 parts per 1000 being gold). Nearly all traditional Indian jewellery including wedding sets, chains, bangles, and temple jewellery is made in 22K.
Purity: 91.67% (916 fineness) - Hallmark stamp: 916 - Common forms: All traditional Indian jewellery - Colour: Rich warm yellow - Durability: Good balance of purity and strength
18 Karat Gold (75% Pure)
18K gold contains 75% pure gold and 25% other metals. It is harder than 22K and is commonly used for diamond-studded jewellery, watches, and contemporary designs where structural strength is needed to hold stones securely. Many international jewellery brands use 18K gold. When selling 18K gold in Chennai, the per-gram rate will be approximately 75% of the 24K rate.
Purity: 75% (750 fineness) - Hallmark stamp: 750 - Common forms: Diamond jewellery, watches, modern designs - Colour: Slightly paler yellow, also available in white and rose gold - Durability: Strong, ideal for stone settings
14 Karat Gold (58.5% Pure)
14K gold contains 58.5% pure gold and is more common in Western countries. In India, you might encounter it in imported jewellery or fashion pieces. It is quite durable but has noticeably less gold content, which means a lower selling price per gram.
Purity: 58.5% (585 fineness) - Hallmark stamp: 585 - Common forms: Imported jewellery, fashion pieces, some watches - Colour: Lighter yellow, common in white and rose gold variants - Durability: Very durable, resistant to scratching
10 Karat Gold (41.7% Pure)
10K gold is the minimum purity that can be legally sold as gold in many countries. It contains only 41.7% pure gold. It is uncommon in India but you may encounter it in imported items. Due to the high alloy content, the selling price per gram is significantly lower.
Purity: 41.7% (417 fineness) - Hallmark stamp: 417 - Common forms: Budget imported jewellery - Colour: Pale yellow - Durability: Most durable karat option
How to Identify Your Gold Purity
There are several ways to determine the karat of your gold before selling it.
BIS Hallmark: Since 2021, hallmarking is mandatory for gold jewellery sold in India. The BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) hallmark includes the BIS logo, purity in fineness (916, 750, etc.), and the HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) number. You can verify the HUID at bis.gov.in.
Look for the hallmark stamp on the inner surface of rings, clasp of chains, or back of pendants - The HUID is a 6-character alphanumeric code unique to each piece - Older jewellery may have the jeweller mark and assaying centre mark instead of HUID
XRF Testing: The most accurate method available today. XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) spectrometry analyses the exact elemental composition of your gold without damaging it. At MSR Jewellery, we provide free XRF testing for all customers, giving you an exact purity reading within seconds.
Acid Testing: An older method where a small scratch of gold is tested with nitric acid and aqua regia. While effective, it is slightly destructive and less precise than XRF. Most reputable buyers in Chennai have moved to XRF testing.
Purity and Price Comparison
Understanding how purity affects price is crucial when selling gold. If today's 24K rate is Rs 7,500 per gram, here is what each karat would be worth approximately.
24K (999): Rs 7,500 per gram (100% of pure gold rate) - 22K (916): Rs 6,875 per gram (91.67% of pure gold rate) - 18K (750): Rs 5,625 per gram (75% of pure gold rate) - 14K (585): Rs 4,388 per gram (58.5% of pure gold rate) - 10K (417): Rs 3,128 per gram (41.7% of pure gold rate)
The actual amount you receive also depends on the buyer's margin. At MSR Jewellery, our margin is only Rs 20-50 per gram, which is the lowest in Chennai compared to Rs 200-500 at TV advertisers and chain stores.
Common Purity Myths
Many sellers believe that older gold is less pure or that gold loses purity over time. This is completely false. Gold does not tarnish, corrode, or lose its purity with age. A 22K chain from 50 years ago has the same gold content as a 22K chain made yesterday. The only thing that matters is the original purity when the piece was manufactured.
Another common misconception is that all gold from big brand jewellers is 22K. In reality, many modern lightweight designs from major brands are made in 18K to keep the price accessible. Always check the hallmark before assuming the purity.
Get Your Gold Tested for Free
Not sure about the purity of your gold? Visit MSR Jewellery at Porur or T. Nagar for a free XRF purity test with no obligation to sell. Call 63690 25876 or start the process online at cashforgold.cc/contact/city. We test your gold, show you the exact purity on screen, and offer you the best rate in Chennai with our Rs 15,000 guarantee.