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.
In China, most gold jewellery is sold as 足金 (zú jīn, "full gold"), which is 999 fine — effectively 24K — rather than the 22K/916 standard common in Southeast Asia. Retailers quote a daily gold price in yuan per gram plus a per-gram workmanship fee.