22K vs 24K vs 21K Gold in Saudi Arabia: Which One Should You Buy?
By Editorial team ·
Walk into any gold souq in Riyadh or Jeddah and you will see 21K everywhere, a few shops selling 22K, and 24K bars behind the counter. Which one is right for you? It depends on why you are buying.
Quick comparison
| 24K | 22K | 21K | 18K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purity | 99.9% | 91.6% | 87.5% | 75% |
| Hallmark | 999 | 916 | 875 | 750 |
| Price per gram now (SAR) | 497.21 | 455.78 | 435.06 | 372.91 |
| Durability | Soft | Good | Good | Very good |
| Best for | Saving | Traditional jewellery | Everyday jewellery | Diamond settings |
24K: best for saving and investment
Almost pure gold, usually sold as bars and coins with a small premium and, for investment-grade bars, typically zero-rated VAT. Most of what you pay goes into the metal itself. Live price: 24K gold rate.
22K: the South Asian favourite
Popular with Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi families for wedding jewellery. It has more gold than 21K and a richer colour, but fewer Saudi shops stock it. Ask for the 916 hallmark. Live price: 22K gold rate in KSA.
21K: the Saudi standard
The most common karat in Saudi Arabia. It is strong enough for daily wear, and every shop buys it back at close to the gram rate, which makes it easy to resell. Live price: 21K gold rate.
18K: for diamonds and modern designs
Harder and more scratch resistant, so it holds stones securely. It comes in yellow, white and rose. Making charges are usually higher, so resale value as a share of the purchase price is lower. 18K gold rate.
The rule that matters most: making charge as a % of price
A piece where the making charge is 10% of the price needs gold to rise 10% just to break even. At 30%, you need a much bigger rise. If saving is your goal, keep that percentage low.
Related: VAT and making charges in Saudi Arabia.
FAQ
Is 22K or 21K better?
22K contains more gold (91.6% vs 87.5%) and costs more per gram; 21K is more widely available in Saudi shops and easy to resell.
Which gold is best for investment in Saudi Arabia?
24K bars or coins, because of low premiums and usually zero-rated VAT.
Can I wear 24K gold?
You can, but it is soft and scratches or bends easily.
