Karat and fineness
Karat gives the gold content in 24 parts; fineness gives the share of precious metal in thousandths. 24 karat is 999, 22 karat 916.7, 18 karat 750, 14 karat 585. Explanation with the conversion table and the usual finenesses of coins.
Karat states the gold content in 24 parts: 24 karat is pure gold, 18 karat is 18/24 or 75 % gold. Fineness expresses the same in thousandths: 999.9 is practically pure, 916.7 is 22 karat, 750 is 18 karat, 585 is 14 karat. For silver only fineness is used: 999 for bars and bullion coins, 925 for sterling.
Only the precious metal counts for value: an 18-karat piece of jewellery weighing 10 grams contains 7.5 grams of gold. Jewellery and scrap are therefore valued per gram of fine weight, not per gram of gross weight.
| Karat | Fineness | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 24 kt | 999–999.9 | Bars, Maple Leaf, Philharmonic, Britannia (since 2013) |
| 22 kt | 916.7 | Krugerrand, Sovereign, American Eagle |
| 21.6 kt | 900 | Dutch 10 guilder, 20 francs, old US coins |
| 18 kt | 750 | Jewellery |
| 14 kt | 585 | Jewellery |
Frequently asked questions
Is 22 karat worth less than 24 karat?
Per gram of gross weight yes, per gram of fine weight no. A 22-karat Krugerrand contains as much gold as a 24-karat Maple Leaf; it just weighs more.
What does 925 on silver mean?
Sterling silver: 925 parts per thousand silver, the rest usually copper. A 925 piece of 100 grams contains 92.5 grams of silver.
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