What Is 22K Gold?
22K gold is 91.7% pure gold (22 parts gold out of 24 total parts). The remaining 8.3% is typically copper, silver, or zinc, which gives the metal just enough strength for intricate jewelry work while keeping gold content extremely high.
22K gold is the preferred standard for traditional jewelry in South Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. In the US, it's less common but increasingly recognized as a premium option between 18K (75%) and 24K (99.9%).
Where You'll Find 22K Gold
- Indian gold jewelry — Bridal sets, bangles, necklaces, earrings
- Middle Eastern jewelry — Traditional and bridal pieces
- South Asian coins — Indian Sovereign coins, various regional coins
- Government bullion coins — South African Krugerrands (22K), British Sovereigns (22K)
- American Gold Eagles — US government coin is 22K (91.67% gold)
22K Gold Hallmarks
- 916 or 917 — Numeric purity marks (most common internationally)
- 22K or 22KT — US/UK direct marking
- 916 KDM — Indian mark (KDM = cadmium solder, older jewelry)
- 916 Hallmark — BIS hallmark on Indian 22K jewelry
22K vs 24K Gold
| Feature | 22K Gold | 24K Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | 91.7% | 99.9% |
| Durability | Good | Soft — prone to scratching |
| Jewelry Use | Excellent | Limited (too soft) |
| Common Use | Jewelry, Sovereigns, Eagles | Bullion bars, coins |
22K Gold Value
22K gold is worth 91.7% of the gold spot price per troy ounce. Dealers typically pay 85–95% of melt value for 22K jewelry and 95–100% for recognized bullion coins (American Gold Eagles, Krugerrands).