22K Gold
Gold that is 91.6 percent pure, hallmarked as 916 and favoured for traditional and bridal jewellery.
22K gold is the workhorse of traditional Indian jewellery. It is 22 parts pure gold to 2 parts other metals, which works out to 91.6 percent gold, and that is why you see it hallmarked as 916. The high gold content gives it a rich, warm yellow that buyers associate with heirloom and bridal pieces, while the small amount of alloy makes it just workable enough for necklaces, bangles and chains. It is softer than 18K or 14K, so it suits designs where the gold itself is the star rather than a tight stone setting.
What 916 means
The 916 mark is simply the purity fraction of 22K written as parts per thousand. 22 divided by 24 is 0.9166, which rounds to 916 out of 1000, so a piece stamped 916 is certified as 91.6 percent gold. Under BIS hallmarking in India that grade appears alongside the BIS logo and a unique HUID code.
For pricing, that fraction is the number that matters. A 10 gram 22K bangle contains 9.16 grams of pure gold, so its metal value is 10 grams times 0.916 times the current 22K gold rate. Making charges, wastage and GST are then added on top of that metal value to reach the final price.
- 22K is 91.6 percent pure gold.
- It is hallmarked 916 in India.
- The purity fraction 0.916 drives its metal value.
- 10 grams of 22K holds 9.16 grams of pure gold.
Why it dominates bridal and traditional pieces
22K hits a cultural and practical sweet spot. Its colour is noticeably richer than 18K, which reads as more prestigious for weddings and festivals, and its high gold content means the piece doubles as a store of value, an important consideration where gold jewellery is also savings. Heavy necklace sets, bangles and temple designs are almost always 22K for this reason.
The trade off is softness. At 91.6 percent gold the metal scratches and bends more easily than lower karats, so it is less suited to fine claw settings holding small diamonds under daily stress. That work often moves to 18K, which sacrifices a little colour and gold content for the strength to grip stones securely.
- 22K gold is 91.6 percent pure and hallmarked 916.
- Its rich warm colour makes it the classic bridal and traditional choice.
- It doubles as a store of value in gold jewellery markets.
- It is softer than 18K, so less ideal for tight stone settings.
22K Gold, in short.
What does 916 mean on gold?
916 is the hallmark for 22K gold. It shows the piece is 91.6 percent pure gold, the parts per thousand form of the 22K purity fraction.
Is 22K gold good for diamond rings?
It can hold larger, well protected stones, but 22K is soft, so fine diamond settings with small claws are usually made in 18K, which grips stones more securely under daily wear.
Why is 22K more expensive than 18K of the same weight?
Because 22K contains more pure gold, 91.6 percent versus 75 percent, its metal value per gram is higher. For the same weight, more of the piece is gold, so it costs more before making charges.
Related terms
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