What 22K gold actually is
Karat is a ratio out of twenty-four. 22K means twenty-two parts gold to two parts other metal, which is 91.67% gold by weight. It is stamped 916 in fineness terms.
It is rich and soft, so it is used for coins and for jewelry traditions that prize deep colour. The American Gold Eagle and the Krugerrand are both 22K, but each contains a full troy ounce of fine gold, so the coin weighs more than an ounce overall. For the coin side of this, see gold coin value.
What 22K is worth right now
At the spot price this page loaded with, $4,072.10 per troy ounce, 22K works out to:
| Weight | Melt value | Roughly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 gram | $120.01 | A thin chain link or a small pendant |
| 5 grams | $600.05 | A pair of earrings |
| 10 grams | $1,200.11 | A bangle or a heavy chain |
| 1 pennyweight | $186.64 | The unit a pawn shop will quote |
| 1 troy ounce | $3,732.76 | A heavy set of bangles |
These are melt figures: the metal only, at 100% of spot, before any buyer’s margin and before deducting stones.
22K against the other karats
| Karat | Gold content | Value vs 22K | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10K | 41.67% | −54.5% | Class rings, budget chains |
| 14K | 58.33% | −36.4% | Most US jewelry |
| 18K | 75.00% | −18.2% | Fine jewelry, watch cases |
| 22K | 91.67% | — | Gold Eagles, South Asian jewelry |
| 24K | 99.9% | +9.1% | Bars and investment coins |
A piece stamped 22K and one stamped 916 are the same alloy. Jewelry from South Asia may also carry a hallmark with 22 or 916 and the jeweler’s own mark.
Where you will find 22K gold
- South Asian and Middle Eastern jewelry. Bangles, necklaces and wedding sets are often 22K.
- Gold Eagles and Krugerrands. Both are 22K coins containing one troy ounce of fine gold.
- Heirloom pieces. Often kept for decades and passed down, so check the stamp before assuming the purity.
- Imported jewelry. Stamps vary, so look for 22K, 22 or 916.
Plated and filled pieces to rule out
These marks can sit next to a karat number and mean the piece is not solid gold. They are worth close to nothing as scrap:
- 22K GP — gold plated. A microscopically thin layer.
- 22K GF or 1/20 22K GF — gold filled. A bonded layer, typically 5% of total weight, and rarely worth refining in small quantities.
- 22K HGE or RGP — heavy gold electroplate and rolled gold plate. Still plating.
- 925 with a gold colour — vermeil: gold-plated sterling silver. The silver has value; the gold layer does not.
Solid 22K is stamped 22K, 22 or 916, with nothing else appended. Not sure? Read how to tell if gold is real.
Before you sell 22K
- Weigh it yourself first, on a scale that reads to 0.01 g, and note the number.
- Separate 22K from other karats. A mixed pile gets priced at the lowest karat in it.
- A buyer pays for the gold content, not the craftsmanship. Making charges you paid when you bought the piece are not recovered when you sell it for scrap.
- Ask for the quote as a rate per gram or per pennyweight at 22K, not as a lump sum, so you can check it against the melt figure above.
- Get three quotes. The spread between a pawn shop and a refiner on the same piece is routinely double. The full process is in how to sell scrap gold.
22K gold questions
How much is 22K gold worth per gram?
22K is 91.67% gold, so a gram is worth 0.9167 times the 24K per-gram rate. The headline rates at the top of this page show today's figure before any buyer margin.
What does 916 mean on my jewelry?
916 is the fineness stamp for 22K: 916 parts gold per thousand, or 91.6%. It is common on jewelry from South Asia and the Middle East.
Is 22K gold jewelry worth the same as its melt value?
Melt value is what a scrap buyer pays for the metal. You usually paid more when you bought it, because the price included making charges and the jeweler's margin, which a scrap buyer will not pay back.
Is a Gold Eagle 22K?
Yes. The American Gold Eagle is 22K, but a one-ounce coin contains a full troy ounce of fine gold. The alloy makes it heavier overall, not less valuable.
Can 22K gold be worn every day?
It can, but it is soft and scratches and bends more easily than 14K or 18K. That is why it is common in bangles and necklaces worn on occasion rather than in rings worn daily.