22k gold is a type of gold that is popular with modern jewelry items such as chains, rings, and earrings. Below we'll provide more detail about this gold type and how much it can be worth.
What Is 22K Gold?
22k gold is real gold with a high purity. 22k refers to the gold's level of purity, and it means that your item is 22 karats out of a maximum of 24 karats. It's composed of 91.7% gold and 8.3% alloy. 22k gold is the same as 917 gold.
This type of gold is common with jewelry because it contains a high level of purity and yet it still has 16.7% alloy which makes it more durable than 24k gold. It's essentially the standard for high purity jewelry. In addition, the popular American gold eagle coins consist of 22k gold.
22k gold is the best option for those you want a high purity jewelry item. 22k gold shines brightly and it will hold its value over time.
How to Find Markings
Markings or hallmarks are easy to spot for any type of gold piece. You should clearly see 22k or the number 917 engraved on the piece. On jewelry the number may be small and concealed, but it should still be visible.
You may encounter some other markings on your gold jewelry. For example, some pieces may be branded "22kP". This indicates that the item in question is plumb gold and is 22 karats exactly. An item labeled "G.P" is gold-plated. Similarly, jewelry labeled "G.F" is gold filled, which essentially means that it has a thicker layer of gold-plating.
The Value of Your 22K Gold
In order to get the melt value of your 22k gold piece, you'll need to multiply the total ounces of gold by the spot price of gold. We make this easy for you with our gold calculator. All you need to do is load up the calculator, select 22k from the purity dropdown box, enter the weight of your item, and then click the 'calculate' button.
It's always good to know the value of your gold item. If you were ever going to sell your item then you have a base price.
Alternatives
Gold items come in several different types of purities. Below we will review three similar alternatives to 22k gold.
21K Gold
21k gold is a less-common gold type found primarily in antique jewelry. It has about 4.58% less gold content.
23K Gold
23k gold is another less common gold type. It has 4.58% more gold content.
24K Gold
24k gold is pure gold. It has about 9% more gold content. This is investment grade gold that is more often found in gold bars.