Why 24 Carat Gold Is for Investment, Not Jewellery
At 99.9% pure, 24 carat gold is too soft for everyday jewellery — it scratches and bends easily, which is why rings and bracelets are almost always a lower carat alloyed with other metals. 24k gold is instead the standard for investment products: bullion bars, Britannia and Sovereign coins, and gold certificates. If you're pricing an investment coin or bar rather than a piece of jewellery, this is the purity you want.
Other Purities & Related Pages
22 Carat (22k)
Hallmark 916
21 Carat (21k)
Hallmark 875
18 Carat (18k)
Hallmark 750
14 Carat (14k)
Hallmark 585
9 Carat (9ct)
Hallmark 375
Scrap Gold
Selling & dealer estimate
Price History
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Per Troy Ounce
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Sovereign Coins
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Main Calculator
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Methodology
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Frequently Asked Questions
24 carat gold is 99.9% pure with almost no alloy metals to add hardness, so rings and bracelets made from it deform and scratch easily. Jewellery is usually made from 22k, 18k, 14k or 9ct gold instead, which is alloyed with metals like copper and silver for strength.
999 indicates 99.9% pure gold by weight — the hallmark used for 24 carat gold bullion, coins and bars in the UK.