When buying gold in Pakistan, the most common question is: should you buy 24 karat or 22 karat gold? Today’s 24K gold rate in Pakistan is Rs. 467,410 per tola while 22K gold
costs Rs. 428,459 per tola — a difference of Rs. 467,410 minus Rs. 428,459 per tola. Understanding this difference can save you thousands of rupees and help you make a smarter decision whether you are buying for jewelry, investment or gifting.
24K vs 22K Gold — Quick Comparison
| Feature | 24 Karat Gold | 22 Karat Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | 99.9% Pure | 91.67% Pure |
| Gold Content | 24 parts gold | 22 parts gold + 2 parts alloy |
| Color | Bright yellow | Slightly lighter yellow |
| Hardness | Soft — bends easily | Harder — more durable |
| Price per Tola | Rs. 467,410 | Rs. 428,459 |
| Price per Gram | Rs. 40,074 | Rs. Updating... |
| Best For | Investment, coins, bars | Jewelry, daily wear |
| Resale Value | Higher | Slightly lower |
| Recommended For | Investors | Jewelry buyers |
What Does Karat Mean in Gold?
Karat is the unit used to measure gold purity. Pure gold is 24 karat — meaning 24 out of 24 parts are gold. When jewelers mix gold with other metals like silver or copper to make it harder and more durable, the karat number drops.
22 karat gold means 22 out of 24 parts are gold — giving it a purity of 91.67%. The remaining 8.33% consists of other metals that strengthen the gold and make it suitable for crafting detailed jewelry designs that would otherwise break or bend if made from pure 24K gold.
Purity % = (Karat ÷ 24) × 100
24K = (24 ÷ 24) × 100 = 100% pure (99.9% in practice)
22K = (22 ÷ 24) × 100 = 91.67% pure
21K = (21 ÷ 24) × 100 = 87.5% pure
18K = (18 ÷ 24) × 100 = 75% pure
24 Karat Gold — Everything You Need to Know
24 karat gold is the purest form of gold available. It contains 99.9% pure gold with virtually no other metals mixed in. In Pakistan’s Sarafa markets, 24K gold is known as Rawa, Pathoor or Tezab depending on the city. Today’s 24K gold rate is Rs. 467,410 per tola and Rs. 40,074 per gram.
Advantages of 24K Gold
Maximum Investment Value: Since 24K contains the most gold, it commands the highest price and retains value better than lower karat gold. When gold prices rise internationally, 24K gold appreciates the most in absolute rupee terms.
Easiest to Resell: 24K gold is universally accepted and can be sold at any Sarafa market across Pakistan at the full market rate without any deduction for purity. Dealers always prefer buying back 24K gold.
No Hidden Alloy: With 24K gold you know exactly what you are buying — pure gold and nothing else. There is no risk of being cheated on the alloy content as there is with lower karat gold.
Disadvantages of 24K Gold
Too Soft for Jewelry: Pure gold is a very soft metal. A 24K gold ring or bracelet worn daily would scratch, dent and lose its shape quickly. This is why jewelers rarely use 24K gold for making wearable jewelry in Pakistan.
Higher Initial Cost: At Rs. 467,410 per tola, 24K gold requires a larger initial investment compared to 22K which costs Rs. 428,459 per tola.
22 Karat Gold — Everything You Need to Know
22 karat gold is the most popular choice for gold jewelry in Pakistan. It contains 91.67% pure gold mixed with 8.33% other metals — usually silver, copper or zinc. This combination gives 22K gold its durability while retaining a rich golden color very close to pure gold.
Today’s 22K gold rate in Pakistan is Rs. 428,459 per tola and Rs. Updating... per gram, making it Rs. 467,410 minus Rs. 428,459 per tola cheaper than 24K gold.
Advantages of 22K Gold
Ideal for Jewelry: The small percentage of alloy metals makes 22K gold strong enough to be crafted into intricate jewelry designs including rings, bangles, necklaces, earrings and bridal sets. It holds its shape far better than 24K gold under daily wear conditions.
More Affordable: Being slightly less pure, 22K gold costs less per tola than 24K. For buyers focused on aesthetics and wearability rather than pure investment, 22K offers excellent value.
Widely Available: Almost every jeweler in Pakistan’s Sarafa markets stocks 22K gold. It is the standard for bridal jewelry sets, gold bangles and traditional Pakistani jewelry designs.
Disadvantages of 22K Gold
Lower Pure Gold Content: Since 8.33% of 22K gold is alloy metals, you are paying for slightly less actual gold per tola compared to 24K. Over time this makes a meaningful difference in long-term investment returns.
Making Charges Reduce Returns: When buying 22K jewelry, jewelers charge making charges on top of the gold rate — typically Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 10,000+ per tola depending on design complexity. These charges are not recovered when you sell, reducing your effective investment return significantly.
24K vs 22K — Price Difference Today
The price difference between 24K and 22K gold is directly proportional to their purity difference. Since 22K is 91.67% as pure as 24K, it should theoretically cost 91.67% of the 24K price. Let’s verify with today’s rates:
| Unit | 24K Price | 22K Price | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Tola | Rs. 467,410 | Rs. 428,459 | ~8.33% less |
| Per Gram | Rs. 40,074 | Rs. Updating... | ~8.33% less |
| Per 10 Gram | Rs. 467,410 | Rs. 428,459 | ~8.33% less |
Which Should You Buy — 24K or 22K?
Buy 24K Gold If You Are:
- ✅ Investing for long-term wealth preservation
- ✅ Buying gold coins or bars
- ✅ Saving for a large future goal
- ✅ Hedging against PKR depreciation
- ✅ Planning to resell within a few years
Buy 22K Gold If You Are:
- ✅ Buying jewelry for daily wear
- ✅ Purchasing bridal jewelry sets
- ✅ Looking for decorative gold items
- ✅ Buying a gift for someone special
- ✅ Want durability over pure gold content
The Making Charges Problem — Important for Buyers
One of the most important factors that many buyers overlook when purchasing 22K gold jewelry in Pakistan is making charges. These are fees charged by jewelers for the labor and craftsmanship involved in creating the jewelry piece. Making charges can significantly impact your effective investment return.
Here is a real example. Suppose you buy a 22K gold necklace weighing 3 tola with making charges of Rs. 5,000 per tola:
Gold value: 3 × Rs. 428,459 = Rs. 428,459 × 3
Making charges: 3 × Rs. 5,000 = Rs. 15,000
Total paid: Gold value + Rs. 15,000
When you sell this necklace back, you only get the gold value — the Rs. 15,000 making charges are not recovered. This is why jewelry is generally not ideal for pure investment purposes.
For pure investment with maximum return, buy 24K gold coins or Rawa (raw gold) — both carry zero making charges and can be sold back at the full market rate.
How to Check Gold Purity When Buying in Pakistan
Whether you are buying 24K or 22K gold in Pakistan, always verify purity before paying. Here are the reliable methods:
Electronic Gold Tester: The most accurate and quickest method used by dealers in Pakistan’s Sarafa markets. The tester gives an instant digital readout of gold purity. A genuine 24K piece will show 999 and 22K will show 916. Always ask the dealer to test in front of you before completing the purchase.
Hallmark Stamp: Genuine gold jewelry and bars carry a hallmark stamp showing the karat number — look for “24K”, “22K”, “916” or “999” stamped on the piece. In Pakistan hallmarking is not yet fully mandatory but reputable dealers always stamp their products.
Fire Assay: The most accurate test but requires a specialized lab. Used primarily for large transactions involving significant gold quantities.
Acid Test: A traditional method where specific acids are applied to a small scratch of gold. The reaction indicates purity. Less common now due to the availability of electronic testers but still used by some older dealers.
Gold Calculator — Calculate 24K and 22K Value Instantly
Use our free gold calculator to instantly calculate the value of any amount of 24K or 22K gold at today’s live rates:
Today’s Gold Rates — Quick Reference
Q: What is the difference between 24K and 22K gold?
Today’s 24K gold rate in Pakistan is Rs. Rs. 467,410 per tola and Rs. Rs. 467,410 per gram, updated twice daily based on official APSGJA rates.
Q: What is today’s 22K gold rate in Pakistan?
Today’s 22K gold rate in Pakistan is Rs. Rs. 428,459 per tola and Rs. Rs. 428,459 per gram, last updated Last Updated: 04 Jun 2026, 04:15 AM.
Q: What is the difference between 24K and 22K gold price today?
Today 24K gold costs Rs. 467,410
per tola while 22K costs Rs. 428,459
per tola. The difference is approximately 8.33% reflecting the purity gap.
Q: How much is 1 gram of gold today in Pakistan?
Today 1 gram of 24K gold costs Rs. Rs. 467,410 and 1 gram of 22K gold costs Rs. 467,410 in Pakistan as of Last Updated: 04 Jun 2026, 04:15 AM.