22 Carat

For 22 Carat Gold the number 916 is used to denote 91.6 grams of pure gold per 100 grams of alloy. The figure ‘916’ thus represents 22 carat gold. Despite what some people think, it’s not very common to find pure gold items that are ‘100 per cent’ pure.

High end jewellery, particularly Asian and Arabic jewellery and some coins are often sold with a purity level of 22 carats, or gold 916. The high gold content of 22 Carat gold makes it a softer alloy than lower Carat gold and therefore ideal for the manufacture of intricate designs. The negative aspect of 22 carat jewellery is that it is easily damaged as the alloy is not as hard wearing in everyday use as a lower carat alloy.

Did you know gold 916 was the same as 22 carat gold? While the term 22 carat gold might be more common, these two expressions of gold purity are synonymous, so don’t worry if you’re being sold gold 916 when you’re searching for 22 carat gold!

Did you know gold 990 was the same as 24 carat gold? While the term 24 carat gold might be more common, these two expressions of gold purity are synonymous, so don’t worry if you’re being sold gold 990 when you’re searching for 24 carat gold!

Because of its high purity, the 22 carat gold rate will be close to but below the ‘pure’ gold rate or price.