Karat Converter
Convert between karat, purity percentage and hallmark fineness — free.
Reference: karats & purity
Note: always check the hallmark stamped on the item (e.g. 916 or 750) — it is the most reliable indicator of karat and purity when buying or selling.
Understanding gold karats
Karat measures gold purity out of 24 parts: 24K means 24 parts pure gold (99.9%), 22K means 22 parts gold and 2 parts alloy (91.6%), down to 10K at just 41.7% gold. Lower karats are harder, more durable, and cheaper per gram.
Genuine pieces carry a hallmark showing fineness in parts per thousand: 999 for 24K, 916 for 22K, 875 for 21K, 750 for 18K, 585 for 14K and 417 for 10K. This stamp is your most reliable reference when buying from a jeweller or selling \u2014 counterfeit pieces can carry fake stamps, so always buy from reputable dealers.
In Canada, 22K dominates traditional South Asian jewellery, 14K is the everyday high-street standard, and 18K is preferred for diamond settings because the harder alloy grips stones securely. Investment bars and coins, such as Royal Canadian Mint products, are usually 24K (999.9) to track the global spot price as closely as possible.
Once you know your item\u2019s karat, use our gold calculator with today\u2019s per-gram rate to find its CAD value.
Q1. What does 24K, 22K or 18K gold mean?
Karat measures gold purity out of 24 parts: 24K is 99.9% pure gold, 22K is 91.6%, 21K is 87.5%, 18K is 75%, 14K is 58.5% and 10K is 41.7%. The rest is alloy metals that add strength.
Q2. What do hallmark numbers like 916 or 750 mean?
They are the fineness in parts per thousand: 916 means 91.6% gold (22K), 875 means 87.5% (21K), and 750 means 75% (18K). Always check the hallmark before buying or selling.
Q3. Which karat is best for jewellery in Canada?
22K dominates traditional South Asian jewellery for its rich colour and good value; 14K is the everyday standard in Canadian high-street shops; 18K is preferred for diamond settings because the harder alloy holds stones better. 24K is too soft for most jewellery and is used for bars and coins.
Q4. Is 14K gold real gold?
Yes — 14K gold contains 58.5% pure gold mixed with alloys. It is durable and affordable, and it is the standard karat for everyday jewellery sold across Canada.