Gold Karat Purity Calculator
Use this calculator to determine the amount of pure gold (24K) present in your gold item, based on its total weight and specified karat purity.
Calculation Results:
Pure Gold Weight (grams): 0.00
Gold Purity (%): 0.00%
Understanding Gold Karats and Purity
Gold has been a symbol of wealth, status, and beauty for millennia. When you purchase gold jewelry or items, you often encounter terms like "14K," "18K," or "24K." These numbers refer to the gold's purity, measured in karats (often abbreviated as 'K'). Understanding what karats mean is crucial for appreciating the value and properties of your gold.
What is a Karat?
A karat is a unit of measurement indicating the proportion of pure gold in an alloy. Pure gold is defined as 24 karats. This means that if an item is 24K gold, it is 100% pure gold, with no other metals mixed in. When gold is less than 24K, it means it's an alloy – a mixture of gold and other metals like copper, silver, zinc, or nickel.
Why is Gold Alloyed?
While 24K gold is the purest form, it is also very soft and malleable. This makes it susceptible to scratches, dents, and deformation, especially in jewelry that is worn daily. To enhance its durability, strength, and sometimes to alter its color (e.g., rose gold, white gold), pure gold is mixed with other metals. This process creates an alloy that is more suitable for various applications, particularly jewelry.
Common Gold Karats and Their Purity:
- 24 Karat (24K): This is 100% pure gold. It's bright yellow, very soft, and typically used for gold bars, coins, and some traditional jewelry in certain cultures where softness is acceptable.
- 22 Karat (22K): Contains 91.67% pure gold (22 parts gold, 2 parts other metals). It's still quite soft but more durable than 24K. Often used in traditional Indian and Middle Eastern jewelry.
- 18 Karat (18K): Contains 75% pure gold (18 parts gold, 6 parts other metals). This is a popular choice for fine jewelry due to its good balance of purity, durability, and rich color.
- 14 Karat (14K): Contains 58.33% pure gold (14 parts gold, 10 parts other metals). It's a common choice in Western countries, offering excellent durability and affordability while retaining a significant gold content.
- 10 Karat (10K): Contains 41.67% pure gold (10 parts gold, 14 parts other metals). This is the lowest karatage that can be legally sold as gold in many countries. It's very durable and the most affordable option, though its gold content is lower.
How the Gold Karat Purity Calculator Works:
Our calculator simplifies the process of determining the actual amount of pure gold in your item. You simply input two values:
- Total Gold Item Weight (grams): This is the overall weight of your gold item, including the gold alloy and any other components (though for simplicity, we assume the entire weight is the gold alloy).
- Gold Karat: This is the karat purity stamped on your gold item (e.g., 10, 14, 18, 22, 24).
The calculator then uses the fundamental ratio of karats to 24 (representing 100% pure gold) to calculate:
- Pure Gold Weight (grams): The exact weight of 24K gold contained within your item.
- Gold Purity (%): The percentage of pure gold in the item, which is derived directly from its karat value.
Example Calculation:
Let's say you have an 18K gold ring that weighs 10 grams.
- Total Gold Item Weight: 10 grams
- Gold Karat: 18K
Using the formula:
- Pure Gold Weight = 10 grams * (18 / 24) = 10 * 0.75 = 7.5 grams
- Gold Purity (%) = (18 / 24) * 100 = 0.75 * 100 = 75%
This means your 10-gram, 18K gold ring contains 7.5 grams of pure gold.
Knowing the pure gold content is essential for accurate valuation, especially when buying, selling, or appraising gold items. Use this calculator to quickly and accurately assess the true gold value of your possessions.