What is 22K gold?
22 karat gold contains 22 parts gold and 2 parts other metals (usually copper and silver), making it about 91.6% pure — which is why it is hallmarked 916. The small amount of alloy makes 22K noticeably harder and more durable than pure 24K gold, while retaining a rich gold colour. That balance of durability and gold content makes 22K the standard for traditional jewellery across much of Asia and the Middle East.
Japanese jewellery is typically K18 (75% gold), with pure K24 reserved for investment items and ceremonial pieces. Purity is stamped as K18 or K24 together with the maker's mark, and major retailers publish a daily gold price in yen per gram.