Gold comes in different levels of purity; from 10 karat gold, which is the lowest purity, to 24 karat gold, which is 100 percent pure. Gold under 24 carats is always an alloy with other metals, such as copper, silver or platinum. Each type of gold has a different level of purity. Pure gold, or 24 karat gold, is 100% pure.
This type of gold is known as 18 carats because 18 of the 24 parts that make up gold are pure gold. Since 100% pure gold is virtually impossible to come by, the purest type of gold currently available on the market is 999.99.Ae, the Emirate of Dubai (an independent city-state in the United Arab Emirates) is the best place in the world to buy pure gold or the highest purity available in the current market, given what was mentioned above about gold in fully pure form. The gold used for rings, bracelets, watches and other fine jewelry is rarely 100% pure gold, but rather comes in a variety of different purity levels. This is the gold most commonly known as 24 karat gold, although technically 24 karat gold is 100% pure.
Contrary to popular belief, when you buy a gold engagement ring or other type of jewelry, the metal used for the jewelry is probably not 100% gold. Depending on the ratio of pure gold to other alloys, gold used in engagement rings and other jewelry is generally classified as 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K and 24K. If you prefer gold jewelry in its purest form (24 karat gold), the United Arab Emirates also ranks at the top, given the wide availability of gold jewelry in this country. It's also the most impure gold it can be while still legally “gold” in the United States and most other countries.
Since 18K gold is almost pure, there is very little risk that jewelry made with this material will cause skin irritation if you are allergic to nickel. Bullion bars are also not handled as much as jewelry and other items made with less pure gold, so their softness is not an issue. Because the metal is almost 100% pure, it can also be more directly associated with the current spot price of gold, making it easier to obtain market value. All in all, 18 karat gold is a good option if you want gold jewelry that is as pure as possible and that, at the same time, offers a little practicality.
No country in the world has 100 percent pure gold without any other alloy added, a goal that is virtually impossible to achieve, given the softness of this precious metal in its natural form. Given this country's reputation for attention to detail in chocolate production, it shouldn't be too surprising that the Swiss also appreciate high-purity gold. Alternatively, fineness is the amount of gold in parts per 1000, so pure gold has a fineness of 1000.
