The difference between 21k, 18k and 24k gold
The karat sets the share of pure gold in a piece, and from it come the price, the hardness and the resale value. This guide compares the four karats traded in Jordan.
Purity
- 24k: 99.9% pure. Deep yellow, very soft.
- 22k: 91.7%. Common in the Gulf and India.
- 21k: 87.5%. The standard karat in Jordan, Egypt and Syria.
- 18k: 75%. Harder, available in white and rose.
- 14k: 58.3%. The cheapest and hardest.
Price
The gram price is proportional to purity: an 18k gram is 18 ÷ 21 of a 21k gram at the global price. In the shop, workmanship is added, and it is usually higher on 18k because its pieces are finer, so the final gap between two pieces is smaller than you would expect.
Resale
When selling, only the weight at the karat’s buy price counts. 21k and 24k hold value better because their fees are lower. Intricate 18k loses a larger share because the fee paid is not recovered.
Which to choose
- Saving: 24k or 21k bars and liras.
- Everyday jewellery that may be sold later: plain 21k designs.
- Modern designs and stones: 18k, accepting a larger loss at sale.
- Light accessories: 14k.