916, KDM, 22K and 24K Gold: What the Purity Labels Mean
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Gold in India is sold by karat (K), and the number stamped on a piece tells you how much of it is pure gold. The rest is alloy, usually copper and silver, which makes the metal harder and changes its colour.
Karat and fineness at a glance
| Karat | Fineness mark | Pure gold content | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 999 | 99.9% | Coins, bars |
| 23K | 958 | 95.8% | Some traditional jewellery |
| 22K | 916 | 91.6% | Most jewellery sold in Bangalore |
| 20K | 833 | 83.3% | Less common jewellery |
| 18K | 750 | 75.0% | Diamond and stone-set jewellery |
| 14K | 585 | 58.5% | Lightweight and everyday jewellery |
| 9K | 375 | 37.5% | Budget jewellery |
All seven grades above are covered by India’s mandatory hallmarking rules, with 9K added in July 2025.
What does 916 mean?
916 is the fineness mark for 22-karat gold: 916 parts of pure gold in every 1,000. The name comes from 22 ÷ 24 = 0.916. When a Bangalore jeweller says “916 gold”, they mean hallmarked 22K.
Because 22K is 91.6% gold, its rate is roughly 91.6% of the 24K rate. That is how the 22K rate on our home page is worked out.
22K vs 24K: which should you buy?
- 24K (999) is almost pure gold. It is too soft for most jewellery but is the standard for coins and bars, where purity is the point.
- 22K (916) keeps most of the gold content but is hard enough for chains, bangles and necklaces. It is the usual choice for jewellery.
- 18K (750) is harder still and holds stones securely, so diamond jewellery is usually 18K.
For the same weight, a lower karat costs less because it contains less gold. When comparing prices, compare the same purity.
What is KDM gold?
KDM refers to cadmium-based solder that was once used to join pieces of gold jewellery. The trade moved away from it because cadmium fumes harm the artisans who work with it.
KDM is not a purity grade. A piece described as “KDM” can still be any karat, so the hallmark is what tells you the purity, not the solder. If a seller uses “KDM” to mean “pure”, ask to see the hallmark.
How to read a BIS hallmark
Hallmarked gold jewellery sold in India carries three marks:
- The BIS standard mark, a triangle logo.
- The purity grade, for example
22K916or18K750. - A six-character HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification), an alphanumeric code unique to that piece. It has been used since July 2021.
You can check a HUID with the free BIS CARE app from the Bureau of Indian Standards. Our hallmark and HUID guide walks through it step by step.
Before you buy
- Look for all three hallmark components on the piece itself, not just the tag.
- Make sure the purity on the bill matches the hallmark.
- Compare the full price, including making charges and GST. Our gold price calculator breaks it down.
Sources
Check today’s prices: gold rate today in Bangalore · gold price calculator