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With jewelry, gold weight is often measured in grams or pennyweights (abbreviated dwt), commonly used to calculate the weight of gold jewelry in the United States. One pennyweight is one-twentieth of a troy ounce, equivalent to 1.555 grams. The abbreviation dwt comes from an ancient Roman coin called the denarius. Interestingly enough, the denarius was later used as the symbol for the pre-decimalization of the British penny.
The purity of gold is measured in karats, with 24 karats being the purest form. It is often expressed as a percentage, with 24-karat gold being 99.9% pure. The purity of gold jewelry or bullion is essential in determining its value.
It’s important to note that the higher the karat number, the higher the gold content and the softer the metal. Lower karat gold alloys are often used for practical reasons such as increased durability and affordability.
Gold Weight Conversions
- 1 pennyweight (dwt) = 1.555 grams
- 1 troy ounce = 31.1035 grams
- 1 gram = 0.0321 troy ounces
- 1 kilogram = 32.1507 troy ounces
Gold Purities
24 Karat Gold (24K): This is considered pure gold, with a fineness of 999 or 99.9% gold content. It is the highest quality of gold available but is also the softest and most malleable, making it less suitable for everyday wear.
22 Karat Gold (22K): This gold purity level has a fineness of 916 or 91.6% gold content, with the remaining 8.4% usually made up of other metals for added durability and strength. 22K gold is commonly used in high-end jewelry and is more durable than 24K gold.
18 Karat Gold (18K): This gold purity level has a fineness of 750 or 75% gold content, with the remaining 25% typically composed of alloy metals. 18K gold is popular for fine jewelry as it balances purity and durability.
14 Karat Gold (14K): This gold purity level has a fineness of 585 or 58.5% gold content, with the rest typically comprised of other metals. 14K gold is a common choice for jewelry in the United States due to its balance of gold content and durability.
10 Karat Gold (10K): This gold purity level has a fineness of 417 or 41.7% gold content, with the remaining percentage composed of alloy metals. 10K gold is the minimum karat legally sold as gold jewelry in the United States.