EasyGold Journal
9K vs 18K Gold: Which One Pays More When You Sell?
One of the most common questions we get is some version of this: "My ring is 9 carat — is it even worth anything?"
The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that the karat number on your jewellery has a much bigger effect on its value than most people realise.
What "karat" actually means
Karat (often written K or ct) is just the percentage of pure gold in an alloy, expressed in 24ths.
| Karat | Purity | Pure gold per gram |
|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 0.999 g |
| 22K | 91.6% | 0.916 g |
| 18K | 75.0% | 0.750 g |
| 14K | 58.5% | 0.585 g |
| 9K | 37.5% | 0.375 g |
A 10-gram 18K ring contains 7.5 g of pure gold. A 10-gram 9K ring contains 3.75 g — exactly half as much. That's why two rings of identical weight can have very different values.
A worked example at today's prices
Let's say the spot price of gold is AUD $5,500 per troy ounce (≈ $176 per gram). Imagine three identical-looking 10-gram rings:
- 9K ring — 3.75 g pure gold × $176 = $660 of pure gold
- 18K ring — 7.50 g pure gold × $176 = $1,320 of pure gold
- 22K ring — 9.16 g pure gold × $176 = $1,612 of pure gold
The 22K ring contains roughly 2.4× more value than the 9K ring, despite weighing the same.
Note: the figures above are the raw spot value of the gold content. The price you receive will be a percentage of spot — typically high at EasyGold, but no buyer pays 100% because we have to refine, sell, and cover costs.
Why most Australian jewellery is 9K
In the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, 9K became the dominant standard for everyday jewellery in the 20th century because it's harder, cheaper, and more scratch-resistant than higher-karat alloys.
In contrast, India, the Middle East, and China traditionally favour 22K and 24K — gold there is bought as much for its store of value as for adornment. So if your jewellery is from family in Asia or the Middle East, it's worth checking the hallmark before assuming it's 9K.
Mixed lots are absolutely fine
You don't need to sort by karat before sending us a kit. We test every item individually and itemise it on your offer. A mixed bag of broken 9K chains, a few 18K rings, and a single 22K bangle is genuinely no problem — and you might be surprised how much the high-karat pieces lift the total.
What about white gold and rose gold?
These are still gold alloys — the karat reflects the gold content, regardless of the colour. White 18K is 75% gold and 25% palladium, nickel or silver. Rose 18K is 75% gold and 25% copper. From a buy-back perspective, the colour doesn't change the value.
The takeaway
If you're trying to estimate what your jewellery might be worth, the karat matters at least as much as the weight. Use our Gold Calculator to plug in both numbers and see a live estimate, or order a free Gold Kit and let us do the testing for you.