What is the highest karat gold?

24 karat (24K) gold is the highest karat, containing 99.99% pure gold. It's too soft for most jewelry but used for investment coins, bars, and some decorative pieces.

What does 585 mean on gold?

585 is the millesimal fineness hallmark for 14 karat gold — meaning 585 parts per 1,000 (58.5%) are pure gold. It's the most common karat in US and Canadian jewelry.

What is the difference between karat and carat?

For gold purity, 'karat' (US spelling) and 'carat' (UK/AU/Commonwealth spelling) mean exactly the same thing. Both measure gold purity on a scale of 24, where 24K/ct = pure gold. Unrelated to diamond carats (which measure weight).

What karat gold is best for everyday jewelry?

14K (US) or 18ct (UK/EU) is ideal for everyday jewelry — high gold content with good durability. 9ct is very durable and affordable. 24K is too soft for regular wear.

What is 375 hallmark on gold?

375 is the hallmark for 9 carat gold (37.5% pure). It's the most common karat in UK and Australian jewelry stores and the lowest purity generally accepted as 'gold' in Commonwealth countries.

Gold Karat Purity Chart – All Karats Explained

Complete reference: purity %, hallmarks, live scrap values — 6K to 24K

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Complete Gold Karat Chart – Purity, Hallmarks & Live Scrap Values

The table below shows every gold karat from 6K to 24K, with purity percentages, international hallmarks, and live scrap values per gram calculated from the current spot price. Select a currency to see local prices.

Karat	Purity %	Millesimal	Hallmarks	Per Gram	Per DWT	Per Troy Oz	Common In
24K Investment	99.99%	999	999 24K 24ct	—	—	—	Global bars/coins
22K India	91.67%	916	916 22K 22ct	—	—	—	India, Middle East
21K	87.5%	875	875 21K	—	—	—	Middle East
20K	83.3%	833	833 20K	—	—	—	Middle East
18K Europe	75.0%	750	750 18K 18ct	—	—	—	Europe, UK fine
14K USA #1	58.33%	585	585 14K 14KT	—	—	—	USA, Canada
10K US min	41.67%	417	417 10K 10KT	—	—	—	USA budget jewelry
9K / 9ct UK #1	37.5%	375	375 9ct 9K	—	—	—	UK, Australia
8K	33.3%	333	333 8K	—	—	—	Germany (historical)
Gold Filled	~5%	N/A	GF 1/20 GF	—	—	—	Fashion jewelry

Understanding Gold Karat vs. Carat

The word "karat" (US) and "carat" (UK, AU, Commonwealth) mean the same thing when describing gold purity. Both come from the Arabic qirat (meaning "bean pod"), historically used as a weight measure. Gold purity in karats is measured on a scale of 24 — so 24K gold is pure gold.

⚠️ Don't confuse gold carats with diamond carats: Diamond carats measure weight (1 carat = 0.2 grams). Gold carats measure purity. A "2 carat diamond set in 18ct gold ring" has a 0.4g diamond in gold that's 75% pure.

Karat vs. Carat: Country Differences

Country/Region	Term Used	Most Common Karat	Minimum Legal Gold
🇺🇸 USA	Karat (K)	14K	10K (41.67%)
🇬🇧 UK	Carat (ct)	9ct	9ct (37.5%)
🇦🇺 Australia	Carat (ct)	9ct	9ct (37.5%)
🇨🇦 Canada	Karat (K)	14K	10K (41.67%)
🇳🇿 New Zealand	Carat (ct)	9ct	9ct (37.5%)
🇩🇪 Germany/EU	Karat (K)	18K	8K (33.3%)
🇮🇳 India	Karat (K)	22K	14K

Hallmark Guide – How to Identify Your Gold's Karat

Gold hallmarks are small stamps on jewelry indicating purity. Here's how to identify them:

Look in hidden spots: Inside ring shanks, on clasp mechanisms, pendant bails, or the back of earring posts
Use a loupe: A 10× jeweler's loupe makes stamps readable
Numeric stamps: Three-digit numbers (375, 417, 585, 750, 916, 999) are millesimal fineness stamps
Letter stamps: 9K, 14K, 18K, 24K, 9ct, 18ct, etc.
UK-specific: Look for the lion passant (walking lion), anchor (Birmingham), or leopard head (London) alongside the fineness number

FAQs – Gold Karats

24K gold (99.99% pure) is the highest karat. It's valued for investment and as the reference standard for spot pricing, but too soft for most jewelry due to its malleability.

585 is the European millesimal fineness hallmark for 14K gold — 58.5% pure gold. It's the most common stamp on US, Canadian, and Middle Eastern jewelry.

For gold purity, they're identical — just different regional spellings. US uses 'karat' (K), Commonwealth countries use 'carat' (ct). Unrelated to diamond carats, which measure gemstone weight.

14K (USA) or 18ct (Europe) balances gold content with durability perfectly for everyday wear. 9ct is the most durable common gold alloy. 22K and 24K are too soft for daily-wear jewelry.

375 is the hallmark for 9 carat gold — 37.5% pure. Most common in UK and Australian jewelry. The lowest purity generally accepted as 'gold' in Commonwealth countries.