Gold is a precious metal that is well-known among people. Many people look to gold for jewelry, historical currency, and even investment. One term that frequently comes up in discussions about gold is “karat.” You might have heard terms like 24-karat gold, 18-karat gold, or 20-karat gold.

So, what is karat?

In the context of precious metals, karat is a measure of gold content. It indicates the percentage of gold present in an item, such as jewelry or gold bullion. This measure is a key consideration for those buying gold. The term “karat” originates from the ancient Greek word “keration,” which refers to the carob tree’s seed pods.

Calculating Gold Karat Content

Gold content varies from 1 karat to 24 karats. Gold content can also be expressed in percentages. For example, how many percent is 24-karat gold? Here’s the formula:

Gold Content = (n/24) x 100

Here, “n” represents the karat value of gold (e.g., 24 for 24-karat gold), and 100 is the conversion factor. For instance, if you buy a 20-karat gold necklace, it contains 83.33% gold. Similarly, an 18-karat gold ring contains 75% gold. 24-karat gold has a gold content of 99.99% to 100%. Typically, 24-karat gold is found in the form of bullion.

Standard Karat Measurements

To simplify gold content calculations, the National Standardization Agency (BSN) has established standard karat values. Here are the details:

• 24 karat: 99.90-99.98% gold content.
• 23 karat: 95.83-98.89% gold content.
• 22 karat: 91.67-95.82% gold content.
• 21 karat: 87.50-91.66% gold content.
• 20 karat: 83.33-87.49% gold content.
• 19 karat: 79.17-83.32% gold content.
• 18 karat: 75.00-79.16% gold content.
• 17 karat: 70.83-74.99% gold content.
• 16 karat: 66.67-70.82% gold content.
• 15 karat: 62.50-66.66% gold content.
• 14 karat: 58.33-62.49% gold content.
• 13 karat: 54.16-58.32% gold content.
• 12 karat: 50.00-54.15% gold content.
• 11 karat: 45.83-49.99% gold content.
• 10 karat: 41.67-45.82% gold content.
• 9 karat: 37.50-41.66% gold content.
• 8 karat: 33.33-37.49% gold content.

24-Karat Gold Jewelry is Rare

As previously mentioned, 24-karat gold has the highest gold content and, consequently, is more expensive. Interestingly, 24-karat gold is rarely used for making jewelry.

Why?

Gold is resistant to corrosion and oxidation. Only three chemicals react with it: aqua regia, fluorine, and chlorine. This makes high-karat gold items more expensive. Furthermore, pure gold, or 24-karat gold, is not durable and can easily deform. Therefore, when making jewelry such as rings, bracelets, or necklaces, pure gold is often mixed with other metals like silver, palladium, or copper to enhance durability and resistance to scratches.

Want to Own 24-Karat Gold?

24-karat gold is often recommended for investment purposes due to its high purity and resistance to tarnish. People commonly invest in gold bars, gold coins, and digital gold.

At Treasury, you can now purchase 24-karat gold not only in stores but also online through our app. Treasury offers affordable digital gold, starting from just IDR 5,000. It’s cheaper than a cup of espresso, right?

In addition to digital gold, you can buy Nusantara gold coins and convert digital gold into physical bullion through our Print Gold / Jewelry feature, starting from 0.1 grams.

You can also purchase gold jewelry from UBS Lifestyle through Treasury, perfect for enhancing your appearance. Moreover, there is a guarantee of gold ownership with PT Untung Bersama Sejahtera (UBS) according to the gram weight purchased. The safety of transactions and the legality of this app are assured. Treasury offers a comprehensive package, doesn’t it? Interested? Download the Treasury app now!