When shopping for gold jewellery in India, most buyers default to 22 karat gold because of tradition and familiarity. However, 18 karat gold has been growing in popularity, particularly among younger buyers and those looking for contemporary or western-influenced designs. Here is how the two compare across the factors that matter most.
Purity and Price
22K gold contains 91.6% pure gold (916 purity), while 18K gold contains 75% pure gold (750 purity). This means 18K gold costs approximately 18% less per gram than 22K gold for the same weight. If you are buying purely for investment or resale value, 22K will hold more of its value over time.
Durability and Scratch Resistance
Because 18K gold contains a higher proportion of alloying metals (silver, copper, palladium), it is significantly harder and more scratch-resistant than 22K gold. This makes it a better choice for rings and bracelets that are subject to daily wear and contact with hard surfaces. 22K jewellery is softer and more prone to scratches and dents over time.
Design Flexibility
The additional hardness of 18K gold allows jewellers to create more intricate and finely detailed designs, including settings for diamonds and precious stones. Most diamond jewellery in India is set in 18K gold for this reason. 22K gold is less suitable for complex stone settings as it can deform more easily under the pressure of setting prongs.
Resale Value
22K gold commands a better resale rate at jewellers and gold dealers because of its higher purity content. When you sell 18K gold, you will typically receive the metal value at 75% of the 24K rate, minus the dealer's margin. Both are easily resalable, but 22K fetches more per gram.