14K vs 18K vs 22K Gold for Diamond Jewellery: Price, Strength, Colour (2026)
By Vanika · Updated
Quick Answer: 14K vs 18K vs 22K Gold
| Pure gold content | 14K 58.5%, 18K 75%, 22K 91.6% |
| BIS hallmark grade | 14K585, 18K750, 22K916 |
| Price vs 14K (median) | 18K +29%, 22K +62% |
| Strength | 14K hardest, 22K softest |
| Diamonds | Identical in all three |
Prices from 539 Chaitra designs in yellow gold, 14 November 2026. Hallmark grades from the Bureau of Indian Standards.
14K gold is 58.5% pure gold, 18K is 75% and 22K is 91.6%. Across 539 Chaitra designs, the same piece costs a median 29% more in 18K than in 14K, and 62% more in 22K, with exactly the same diamonds. The gap depends on how much of the price is gold: 18K adds 22% to a 1 carat solitaire ring but 44% to a gold-heavy bangle.
In This Guide
What 14K, 18K and 22K Mean
Karat measures how much of the metal is pure gold, out of 24 parts. The rest is other metals that make the gold harder and set its colour.
| Purity | Pure gold | BIS hallmark grade | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14K | 58.5% | 14K585 | Hardest of the three |
| 18K | 75% | 18K750 | Medium |
| 22K | 91.6% | 22K916 | Softest |
Grades from the BIS hallmarking FAQ. 24K (99.5% gold) is too soft to hold diamonds securely, which is why diamond jewellery is made in lower karats.
Price Difference by Piece
| Piece (yellow gold) | 14K | 18K | 22K | 18K vs 14K | 22K vs 14K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ct solitaire ring, Classic Bond | ₹66,299 | ₹80,699 | ₹97,599 | +22% | +47% |
| 0.5 ct solitaire ring, Classic Bond | ₹46,699 | ₹60,099 | ₹76,099 | +29% | +63% |
| 1 ct total studs, four-prong | ₹49,799 | ₹57,399 | ₹66,299 | +15% | +33% |
| 1.25 ct tennis bracelet, 7 inch | ₹1,00,099 | ₹1,28,599 | ₹1,62,099 | +28% | +62% |
| 0.59 ct diamond bangle, size 2.4 | ₹2,41,299 | ₹3,47,499 | ₹4,72,599 | +44% | +96% |
Live Chaitra prices on 14 November 2026. Yellow, white and rose gold cost the same at each purity.
Key Finding: The more of the price that is diamond, the smaller the karat gap. On 1 carat studs 18K adds 15%; on a gold-heavy bangle it adds 44%. Across all 539 designs the median is 29%.
The same design also weighs more in a higher karat: about 20% more in 18K than in 14K, because gold is heavier than the metals it is mixed with. Our Classic Bond solitaire, for example, uses about 2.34 g of 14K gold or 2.81 g of 18K.
Strength and Colour
Strength. The more alloy, the harder the gold. 14K is the hardest of our three purities and the best choice for a ring or bracelet worn every day. 22K is soft: claws can bend and a thin band wears faster, so it suits earrings and pendants better than daily rings.
Colour. More gold means a deeper yellow. 22K has the rich yellow of traditional Indian jewellery, 18K is warm, and 14K is a paler yellow. Every Chaitra design comes in yellow, white or rose gold at each purity.
Which to Choose
- Engagement ring or daily ring: 14K for strength, or 18K for a richer colour.
- Bracelets and bangles: 14K. They take the most knocks, and they are gold-heavy, so 18K and 22K add the most to the price.
- Earrings and pendants: any of the three. They take little wear, so choose by colour and budget.
- To match family gold: 22K, if the piece will sit next to traditional 22K jewellery.
- On a fixed budget: put the money into the diamond. A 1.25 carat Classic Bond in 14K costs ₹75,599, less than the 1 carat in 18K at ₹80,699.
Compare prices by style in our diamond ring price guide, or see what 1 carat buys in our 1 carat diamond ring guide. Want a different purity or two-tone gold? Design it free.
Checking the Hallmark
Hallmarked gold jewellery in India carries a BIS hallmark with three parts: the BIS logo, the purity grade (for example 18K750) and a six-character HUID. Enter the HUID in the BIS Care app under Verify HUID to confirm the purity. Every Chaitra gold piece is BIS hallmarked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 14K gold real gold?
Yes. 14K gold is 58.5% pure gold mixed with other metals for strength. In India it is hallmarked by BIS as 14K585, the same way 18K is marked 18K750 and 22K is marked 22K916.
Which gold is best for a diamond engagement ring?
14K or 18K for a ring worn every day. 14K is the hardest of the three, so claws and the band hold up best; 18K has a richer colour for about 22% more on our 1 carat Classic Bond solitaire. 22K is soft for a daily ring.
How much more does 18K cost than 14K?
Across 539 Chaitra designs, the 18K version costs a median 29% more than 14K, and 22K costs 62% more. Most designs fall between 16% and 40% for 18K. The gap is smaller when diamonds are most of the price.
Can diamonds be set in 22K gold?
Yes. Every Chaitra diamond design is offered in 22K as well as 14K and 18K. 22K is softer, so it suits pieces that take fewer knocks, such as earrings and pendants, better than rings and bracelets worn daily.
Does the gold purity change the diamond?
No. The diamonds are the same in all three: lab-grown, E to G colour and VVS to VS clarity, with an IGI report. Only the gold and the price change.
Why does the same design weigh more in 18K?
Gold is heavier than the metals it is mixed with, so a higher karat weighs more for the same shape. Our product pages list each design in 14K and 18K; the 18K version is about 20% heavier.
How do I check the gold purity?
Look for the BIS hallmark: the BIS logo, the purity grade such as 18K750, and a six-character HUID. You can check the HUID in the BIS Care app with its Verify HUID feature.
