Gold Price (Daily)
USD 4540.58 / oz • USD 145.98 / g
Updated daily at 12 PM Hong Kong time
24K Gold
18K Gold
14K Gold
9K Gold
24k 18k 14k 9k Gold Price – Daily Updates | MadisonDia
Understanding 9K, 14K, 18K & 24K Gold
The "K" in gold jewelry refers to karat — a measurement of gold purity out of 24 parts. The higher the karat, the more pure gold the alloy contains, but that doesn't always mean "better" for jewelry. Here's what every karat means, why prices differ, and how to choose the right one for your lifestyle.
The Four Gold Karats Explained
Each karat is a different alloy with different properties. Here's how they compare.
24K
The purest form of gold available commercially. Rich, deep yellow color that cannot be matched by any alloy.
- Best for investment bars & coins
- Too soft for daily-wear jewelry
- Scratches and bends easily
- Hypoallergenic — no nickel
18K
The international luxury standard. Used by Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, and most European fine jewelers.
- Warm, rich yellow tone
- Durable enough for daily wear
- Hypoallergenic for most skin types
- Holds resale value well
14K
The most popular karat in the United States. Balances gold content with strong durability for active lifestyles.
- Slightly paler yellow than 18K
- Excellent scratch resistance
- Great for engagement rings
- More affordable than 18K
9K
Popular in the UK, Australia, and increasingly across Asia. The most affordable karat with excellent strength.
- Hardest of the four — resists bending
- Lower price point
- Lighter, paler gold color
- Ideal for fine claw settings
Which Karat Should You Choose?
There is no single "best" karat — only the right karat for your purpose, skin type, and budget. Use this decision matrix as a starting point.
| If you want… | Recommended Karat | Why |
|---|---|---|
| An everyday engagement ring you'll never take off | 14K · 9K | Higher hardness means prongs hold diamonds securely under daily impact. |
| A luxury heirloom piece with warm, rich gold tone | 18K | European luxury standard. Strong color saturation, holds value, hypoallergenic. |
| Pure gold as a store of value or investment | 24K | Pure gold bullion appreciates with spot price. Not intended for jewelry use. |
| Maximum affordability without losing durability | 9K | Lower gold content brings the price down while increasing hardness. |
| A piece for sensitive skin | 18K · 24K | Higher gold content means less alloy metal (often nickel) that triggers reactions. |
| A tennis bracelet, eternity ring, or thin band | 14K · 9K | Thinner profiles need harder metal so the band doesn't deform with wear. |
Hardness vs. Purity: The Trade-off
Pure gold is one of the softest precious metals — about as soft as a copper penny. The alloys in lower-karat gold make it dramatically harder. This is why fine jewelers rarely use 24K for rings.
24K Gold
Vickers hardness ~25 HV. Scratches with a fingernail pressed firmly. Best stored, not worn.
18K Gold
Vickers hardness ~125 HV. Strong enough for fine settings and daily wear. The luxury sweet spot.
14K Gold
Vickers hardness ~150 HV. Resists scratches better than 18K. Industry standard in the US.
9K Gold
Vickers hardness ~170 HV. The hardest of the four. Used for thin claw settings and tennis bracelets.
METHODOLOGY · TRANSPARENCY
How We Calculate Daily Karat Gold Prices
Our daily gold prices follow standard international bullion pricing logic. The 24K spot price is the reference — every lower karat is derived as a direct ratio of that figure.
DATA SOURCE
24K spot prices are sourced from international bullion markets and cross-referenced with the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) PM Fix.
UPDATE FREQUENCY
Prices refresh once per business day at 12:00 PM Hong Kong Time (HKT). Weekends and Hong Kong public holidays follow the prior business day's close.
CURRENCY CONVERSION
Foreign currency rates (HKD, JPY, NTD, CNY) are pulled from interbank mid-market rates at the same daily timestamp to ensure consistency.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
These are raw bullion gram prices. Finished jewelry has additional costs: design, casting, stone setting, finishing labor, and certification.
WORKED EXAMPLE
How Much Gold Is In a 5-Gram Ring?
Assume today's 24K spot price is USD $148 per gram. Here's the actual gold value in a 5g ring at each karat — before any design, labor, or stone-setting costs.
18K (5g): 5 × $148 × 0.750 = $555.00 gold value
14K (5g): 5 × $148 × 0.583 = $431.42 gold value
9K (5g): 5 × $148 × 0.375 = $277.50 gold value
This is the metal cost only. Finished jewelry at MadisonDia includes IGI-certified diamonds, hand-finished setting, and pre-shipment quality control — all included in the listed retail price.
Continue Learning
Explore our complete buyer's guides on gold and diamonds.
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