22 Karat Gold
21 Karat Gold
22 Karat Gold vs 21 Karat Gold
22 Karat Gold and 21 Karat Gold are two of the most common karats in the Dubai gold market. This guide shows exactly how they differ in purity, price in dirhams, durability and use, with up to date figures, so you can choose the right one for investment or jewellery.
Verdict
22 Karat Gold (91.6%) is purer and worth more per gram at about AED 362.32, while 21 Karat Gold (87.5%) is more durable and lower in price at about AED 346.10. Choose by purpose: investment or everyday jewellery.
Gold content compared
Gold content of each karat as a percentage (the remainder is an alloy of other metals).
| Criterion | 22 Karat Gold | 21 Karat Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | 91.6% (916) | 87.5% (875) |
| Gold content | 22 of 24 | 21 of 24 |
| Indicative price per gram | AED 362.32 | AED 346.10 |
| Typical use | souk jewellery standard | Gulf jewellery |
| UAE VAT | Standard with making charge | Standard with making charge |
22 Karat Gold
Choose 22 Karat Gold if a balance of purity and durability is your priority.
21 Karat Gold
Choose 21 Karat Gold if everyday jewellery suitability matters more to you.
The purity gap between 22 Karat Gold and 21 Karat Gold
22 Karat Gold and 21 Karat Gold differ first in purity. 22 Karat Gold is 91.6% pure gold, stamped 916, while 21 Karat Gold is 87.5%, stamped 875. That is a gap of 4.1 percentage points of gold content.
The higher karat holds more gold per gram and is softer with a deeper yellow, while the lower karat is alloyed with metals such as copper and silver to add hardness and shift colour. That is why karat is chosen by purpose, not by the number alone.
The price difference today
At a reference LBMA spot of USD 3,350 per ounce, 22 Karat Gold works out to about AED 362.32 per gram and 21 Karat Gold to about AED 346.10 per gram, a difference of roughly AED 16.22 per gram.
Over 10 grams that gap is about AED 162, and over a tola (11.66 g) about AED 189. Both are priced against the live LBMA spot and settled on assayed content, so the real figure moves with the market.
We supply both karats direct through a network of over 1,000 miners, mines, dealers and refiners across Guyana, so you get the price at the best LBMA-linked margin without a broker chain.
Durability and everyday wear
The purer 22 Karat Gold is softer, so it is more prone to scratches and bending in everyday pieces. 21 Karat Gold is harder thanks to its alloy and stands up better to daily wear such as rings and bracelets.
That is why Gulf jewellers lean to the lower karat for pieces worn every day, while the higher karat is kept for bars and investment or occasion pieces.
Which is better for investment
22 Karat Gold is closer to investment value: it is higher purity, trades nearer the bullion price, and it sits closer to the investment standard.
21 Karat Gold usually carries a making charge when bought as jewellery, which adds cost over the metal value. If the goal is to preserve value, the higher karat or bullion is more efficient.
Which is better for jewellery and resale
In the Dubai souks, both Gulf jewellery and souk jewellery standard are in demand. Jewellery gold is priced on its weight and purity plus a making charge, and pieces are hallmarked with their karat to make resale easy.
On resale you recover the metal value on assayed content, not the making charge, so the higher the karat the more value returned per gram.
Other comparisons
Frequently asked questions
22 Karat Gold or 21 Karat Gold: which should I choose?
22 Karat Gold (91.6%) is purer and worth more per gram at about AED 362.32, while 21 Karat Gold (87.5%) is more durable and lower in price at about AED 346.10. Choose by purpose: investment or everyday jewellery.
What is the difference between 22 Karat Gold and 21 Karat Gold?
22 Karat Gold is 91.6% pure (916) and 21 Karat Gold is 87.5% (875), a gap of 4.1 percentage points. The higher the karat, the more gold content and value, and the less durable it is.
What is the price difference between 22 Karat Gold and 21 Karat Gold?
At a reference USD 3,350 per ounce, the gap is about AED 16.22 per gram (22 Karat Gold AED 362.32 vs 21 Karat Gold AED 346.10).
Which is better for investment?
22 Karat Gold is higher purity and closer to bullion value, while 21 Karat Gold suits everyday jewellery.
Which is better for everyday jewellery?
21 Karat Gold is harder and more wear-resistant for daily use, while 22 Karat Gold is softer and preferred for bars and investment pieces.