22 Karat (22K) gold contains 22 parts gold out of 24, with the remaining 2 parts consisting of carefully controlled alloying metals such as copper and silver. This results in a gold purity of 91.67% Au, internationally recognized as 916 fine gold.
22K gold represents the highest-purity gold alloy commonly used for jewelry and cultural applications, especially in India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Purity & Grade Classification
| Karat | Gold Content | Fineness |
|---|---|---|
| 22K | 91.67% Au | 916 |
| 24K | 99.9 – 99.99% Au | 999 / 999.9 |
| 18K | 75.00% Au | 750 |
| 14K | 58.50% Au | 585 |
Industry Markings:
✔ 916 (most common stamp)
✔ 91.6% Au
✔ 22K
Strengthening & Metallurgical Behavior
Crystal Structure: Face-Centered Cubic (FCC) gold-based solid solution.
Strengthening Mechanisms:
✔ Solid-solution strengthening from Cu and Ag atoms
✔ Work hardening during forming and fabrication
❌ No precipitation hardening
❌ Limited heat-treat response
Metallurgical Characteristics:
• Single-phase gold alloy
• Uniform solid-solution microstructure
• No phase separation in service conditions
• Excellent castability and formability
Refining & Processing Properties
Manufacturing typically involves controlled alloy melting, casting, rolling, wire drawing, forging, stamping, jewelry fabrication, and surface finishing.
Recycling:
✔ Easily remelted
✔ Alloy composition adjustable during refining
✔ Very high gold recovery efficiency
Available Forms of 22K Gold
✔ Jewelry (rings, chains, bangles, bracelets)
✔ Coins (investment & commemorative)
✔ Medallions
✔ Limited bullion bars (region-specific)
Applications
Jewelry: Traditional, wedding, and high-wear ornamental jewelry
Investment: Gold coins and cultural wealth storage
Religious & Ceremonial: Temples, artifacts, cultural ornaments
Advantages of 22K Gold
✔ High gold content (near-pure)
✔ Significantly stronger than 24K gold
✔ Rich, deep gold color
✔ Excellent balance of purity and durability
✔ Strong resale value and cultural acceptance
Limitations of 22K Gold
⚠ Softer than 18K or 14K alloys
⚠ Prone to deformation under heavy mechanical wear
⚠ Not ideal for gemstone-heavy or high-stress settings
Why Choose 22K Gold?
Choose 22K gold when high purity, cultural significance, durability, and long-term value retention are priorities. It offers an optimal compromise between the purity of 24K gold and the mechanical strength of lower-karat alloys.
Avoid 22K gold when:
• Very high mechanical strength is required
• Industrial or structural applications are involved
In summary: 22 Karat (22K) gold, graded as 916 fine gold, is the global benchmark for high-purity jewelry. By alloying small amounts of copper and silver, it achieves a refined balance of purity, strength, and workability ideal for ornamental, cultural, and investment-linked applications.