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Updated 22 October 2026 · Source: All-Pakistan Sarafa Association
24K vs 22K vs 21K Gold: Which Should You Buy in Pakistan?
24K vs 22K gold comes down to purpose: 24K (99.9% pure) is for saving, 22K (91.67%) is the standard for bridal jewellery, and 21K (87.5%) suits everyday wear. Today 24K costs Rs434,536 per tola, 22K Rs398,325 and 21K Rs380,219.
24K vs 22K vs 21K Gold: The Quick Answer
Buy 24K gold to save, 22K for wedding jewellery you will keep, and 21K for pieces you will wear every day. Per gram of pure gold all three cost the same; the real differences are durability, making charges and how much you lose to kat when you sell.
- Saving or investing: 24K bars or coins, with little or no making charge and usually no kat.
- Bridal sets and heirloom pieces: 22K, the traditional Pakistani standard, bright yellow and still workable.
- Rings, bangles and chains worn daily: 21K or 18K, which are harder and resist scratches better.
24K vs 22K vs 21K Gold Comparison Table
| 24K | 22K | 21K | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity | 99.9% | 91.67% | 87.5% |
| Hallmark stamp | 999 | 916 | 875 |
| Pure gold in 1 tola | 11.65 g | 10.69 g | 10.21 g |
| Other metals | None | 8.33% (copper, silver) | 12.5% (copper, silver) |
| Price per tola today | Rs434,536 | Rs398,325 | Rs380,219 |
| Price per 10 grams | Rs372,544 | Rs341,499 | Rs325,976 |
| Colour | Deep yellow | Rich yellow | Yellow, slightly lighter |
| Hardness | Very soft | Medium | Harder |
| Best for | Bars, coins, savings | Bridal and heirloom jewellery | Everyday jewellery, Gulf designs |
| Making charges | None to low | Medium to high | Medium to high |
| Kat when selling | Usually none on bars | Around 12.5% | Around 12.5% |
Price Difference Between 24K, 22K and 21K Gold Today
Karat rates are worked out from the 24K Sarafa rate in proportion to purity. On 21 October 2026:
| Weight | 24K | 22K | 21K | 24K − 22K | 22K − 21K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 gram | Rs37,255 | Rs34,150 | Rs32,598 | Rs3,105 | Rs1,552 |
| 10 grams | Rs372,551 | Rs341,505 | Rs325,982 | Rs31,046 | Rs15,523 |
| 1 tola | Rs434,536 | Rs398,325 | Rs380,219 | Rs36,211 | Rs18,106 |
| 3 tola | Rs1,303,608 | Rs1,194,974 | Rs1,140,657 | Rs108,634 | Rs54,317 |
| 5 tola | Rs2,172,680 | Rs1,991,623 | Rs1,901,095 | Rs181,057 | Rs90,528 |
| 10 tola | Rs4,345,360 | Rs3,983,247 | Rs3,802,190 | Rs362,113 | Rs181,057 |
So 22K is about 8.3% cheaper than 24K for the same weight, and 21K about 4.5% cheaper than 22K. But you get proportionally less gold: per gram of pure gold, the price is identical at about Rs37,292.
What Does Karat Mean?
Karat measures purity on a scale of 24 parts. 24K means 24 out of 24 parts are gold; 22K means 22 parts gold and 2 parts other metals; 21K means 21 parts gold and 3 parts other metals. The other metals, usually copper and silver, make the gold harder and change its colour slightly.
Karat (purity) is different from carat, a weight used for diamonds, and from kat, the deduction a jeweller takes when buying jewellery back.
24K Gold: Best for Saving
24K gold is 99.9% pure, sold mainly as biscuits and bars from 1 tola up to the 10-tola TT bar. It is too soft for most jewellery, but because you pay little or no making charge and usually face no kat on resale, almost all your money stays in gold. See 24K gold price and gold bar prices.
22K Gold: The Bridal Standard
22K gold is 91.67% pure and stamped 916. It is the traditional choice for Pakistani wedding sets, bangles and necklaces: bright yellow, valuable and still strong enough for detailed work. Its weakness is cost: making charges are often high on bridal pieces, and kat is deducted when you sell. See the 22K gold rate.
21K Gold: Everyday and Gulf Jewellery
21K gold is 87.5% pure and stamped 875. It is popular for daily-wear rings, chains and bangles, and is the main jewellery karat in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, so much of the gold brought home by overseas Pakistanis is 21K. It is harder than 22K and slightly cheaper per tola. See the 21K gold rate.
True Cost: Buying and Selling 3 Tola
Here is what happens if you buy 3 tola and sell it back on the same day at today’s rates, assuming typical making charges and a 12.5% kat deduction on jewellery:
| Option | You pay | You get back | You lose | Loss % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K bars (no making, no kat) | Rs1,303,608 | Rs1,303,608 | Rs0 | 0.0% |
| 22K set (Rs15,000/tola making) | Rs1,239,974 | Rs1,045,602 | Rs194,372 | 15.7% |
| 21K set (Rs15,000/tola making) | Rs1,185,657 | Rs998,075 | Rs187,582 | 15.8% |
The gap is the real price of wearing gold. Making charges and kat, not the karat itself, are what reduce your money. This is why savers choose 24K bars and treat jewellery as something to enjoy rather than an investment.
Making charges vary widely by design and shop. Ask for the gold rate and making charge separately; see gold making charges in Pakistan and what is kat.
Which Karat Should You Buy?
| If you want to… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Save money in gold | 24K bars or coins | Lowest making charges and no kat |
| Buy a bridal set | 22K | Traditional colour and value, holds detailed designs |
| Wear a ring or bangle every day | 21K or 18K | Harder, resists scratches and bending |
| Set diamonds or stones | 18K | Strong enough to hold stones securely |
| Gift for a child | 21K or 22K | Durable; small light pieces |
| Exchange for new jewellery later | 22K | Easy to value; ask about exchange kat |
How to Check the Karat of Your Gold
- Look for the stamp: 999 or 24K, 916 or 22K, 875 or 21K, 750 or 18K.
- Get the karat, weight and rate written on the bill.
- For larger purchases, use a karat-testing shop in the Sarafa bazaar; electronic (XRF) testers check purity without damaging the piece.
- Be cautious of prices well below the day’s karat rate; they often mean lower purity than claimed.
24K vs 22K vs 21K Gold: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 24K and 22K gold?
24K is 99.9% pure gold and very soft. 22K is 91.67% gold with 8.33% other metals, which makes it harder and suitable for jewellery.
Which is better, 22K or 21K gold?
22K has more gold and is the bridal standard in Pakistan. 21K is harder and slightly cheaper, which suits everyday jewellery. Neither is better in every case.
Is 24K gold good for jewellery?
Not usually. It is too soft and bends or scratches easily, so it is mostly sold as bars and coins.
How much cheaper is 22K than 24K gold today?
Rs36,211 per tola cheaper: Rs398,325 against Rs434,536.
How much cheaper is 21K than 22K gold today?
Rs18,106 per tola cheaper: Rs380,219 against Rs398,325.
Which gold is best for investment in Pakistan?
24K bars or coins, because you avoid most making charges and usually face no kat when selling.
Is 21K gold real gold?
Yes. 21K is 87.5% pure gold, stamped 875, and is the main jewellery karat in the Gulf.
What does 916 mean on gold?
916 means 91.6% pure, which is 22K gold.
Does 22K gold lose value?
The gold itself follows the market price. What you lose when selling jewellery is the making charge you paid and the kat deduction.
Related Gold Rates and Tools
Rates are for information only and exclude making charges, kat and dealer premiums. Not investment advice. See our disclaimer and methodology. Official daily rate source: All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association rates (Business Recorder).
