GoldQuestions
Gold purity, karat, and fineness
Gold purity describes how much gold is present compared with other metals, using terms such as carat or fineness.
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Last reviewed: 2026-05-23
Carat and fineness
24 carat is treated as pure gold in everyday language. Fineness expresses purity in parts per thousand, such as 999.9 for very high-purity bullion.
Why purity matters
Purity affects metal value calculations, product description, and comparisons between bullion, jewellery, and scrap gold.
Educational disclaimer
This guide is educational only and is not financial, investment, tax, legal, or personal advice.
FAQs
Is 22 carat pure gold?
No. 22 carat gold contains a high proportion of gold but also includes other metals.
What does 999 gold mean?
It usually means 999 parts gold per 1,000 parts metal.
Does higher purity always mean better?
Not necessarily. The right comparison depends on purpose, durability, price, and resale context.