Published 2 June 2026
The maths of 916
22 carats in the 24-carat scale is 22 divided by 24, which is 0.9166 recurring, or 916 parts per thousand under the hallmarking standard. 91.6% of the alloy by weight is pure gold. The other 8.4% is a blend of copper and silver, sometimes with a small amount of zinc.
The British sovereign and half-sovereign coin uses crown gold, an alloy at 916 parts per thousand. It has been the standard for British gold coinage since 1816.
Where 22ct comes from
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Singapore and Malaysia produce huge volumes of 22ct jewellery. The traditions value the deep yellow colour and the bullion-grade nature of the metal. A 22ct gold necklace bought at a wedding in Mumbai or Dubai is functioning as both adornment and savings.
In the UK, 22ct is common in any family with South Asian or Middle Eastern roots, in wedding jewellery from those traditions, and in British sovereigns and Indian gold bars held as personal bullion.
Why 22ct is soft
For everyday wedding bands many South Asian traditions are increasingly choosing 18ct for the same colour at a much harder alloy. 22ct remains the gold for high-occasion wear, dowry, and inheritance pieces.
How 22ct sells at scrap
22ct yields more recovered gold per gram than any other commonly worn karat. The refining route is straightforward, the market is deep, and pricing tracks the live market without unusual margins. Most postal parcels of 22ct in the UK pay a substantial figure even on modest weights, because of the high gold content per gram.
Where a 22ct piece has cultural or designer significance (signed Indian wedding pieces, named Middle Eastern bridal sets, antique Mughal or Ottoman work), the resale value can exceed scrap. A written XRF valuation gives you the floor for any private negotiation.
Final offers depend on inspection, item weight, purity, hallmarks, stones, non-gold components, condition and the live precious-metal market.
Identifying 22ct
- Find the standard mark. UK-assayed 22ct is stamped 916 with the crown pictorial mark.
- On Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi pieces you may see "916", "22k", "22kt", or a maker mark in Urdu or Hindi script.
- On Middle Eastern pieces you may see "916" with Arabic numerals, sometimes with a goldsmith stamp from Dubai, Kuwait or Saudi Arabia.
- British sovereigns carry their own design and date but are 22ct crown gold.
- When marks are absent, post it for XRF. The test confirms 22ct against the alloy.
Sovereigns and bullion-style jewellery
A British full sovereign weighs 7.988 grams of which 7.32 grams is pure gold (22ct, 91.67% pure). Sovereigns are valued both as bullion and as numismatic coins. Common-date Victorian, Edwardian and modern sovereigns pay on the bullion content. Rare dates, mint marks or proof examples can carry significant numismatic premiums.
22ct bullion-style jewellery (heavy chains, kara bangles, biscuit-style pendants) is valued on the recovered gold yield like any other 22ct piece.
Sending 22ct by post
Post 22ct the same way as any other gold. The XRF screens it, the written report shows the standard and the weight, the bank transfer settles the offer. Decline is free tracked return. Your parcel is insured up to £2,500 via Royal Mail Special Delivery. See how to sell gold by post.
Pieces with cultural, designer or numismatic value beyond the gold are flagged in the written report so you can choose to accept or withdraw before settlement.
A close in a different direction
22ct is the bullion-jewellery karat. The line between adornment and savings is thinner here than at 9ct or 18ct. Many families hold 22ct precisely because it stores value. If you are selling because life has called for it, the right step is a written valuation against the live market, not a quick visit to a high-street counter. The numbers are too significant to leave to a verbal quote.
Common questions
Is 916 the same as 22k?
Yes. 916 is the parts-per-thousand UK standard mark; 22k is the karat designation used widely in South Asia and the Middle East.
Why does 22ct scratch so easily?
The alloy is close to pure gold, which is a soft metal. Scratching and denting are normal and do not affect the gold content.
Are British sovereigns 22ct gold?
Yes. Modern and Victorian-era sovereigns are crown gold at 916 parts per thousand pure.
Does 22ct pay more per gram than 18ct?
Yes. The gold percentage is higher, so the recovered yield per gram is higher at the same market level.
Will my Indian wedding jewellery be valued the same as British 22ct?
Yes. XRF confirms the alloy and the recovered gold yield is calculated identically. The hallmark style does not change the maths.
Do you pay for rare-date sovereigns?
Common-date sovereigns are paid on bullion. Rare dates, mint marks or proofs are flagged in the written valuation and you can choose to sell them numismatically instead.
Can 22ct tarnish?
Very little. With 91.6% gold in the alloy, surface tarnish is minimal.
Is 22ct safe to wear daily?
It will show wear quickly because it is soft. Most traditions reserve 22ct for occasion wear and use 18ct for daily wedding bands.