This advice on buying gold is not the wealth-builder type of guideline (i.e. why a tangible equity such as precious metals is valuable as a hedge for when changes in Prime Rate alter either the value of your stocks or the dividend rate of your bonds) but rather a simple, straightforward summary of the relative percentages of pure gold found in the various caratages/ karatages of gold found commercially.

In ancient bazaars and marketplaces:

1k was only 4.17% pure gold

6k was only 25% pure gold

8k was only 33.33% pure gold

In the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia (this is too low to be considered 'real gold' in the USA):

9k is only 37.50% pure gold [hallmarked 375]

The following two are what is typically found in the United States:

10k is 41.70% pure gold [hallmarked 417]

14k is 58.50% pure gold [hallmarked 585]

In Europe:

18k is only 75% pure gold [hallmarked 750]

In the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia:

21k is 87.50% pure gold [hallmarked 875]

22k is 91.60% pure gold [hallmarked 916]

23k is 96.5% pure gold [hallmarked 965], from Thailand ('Thai Baht")

24k is 99.99% pure gold [hallmarked 9999], from Laos

The higher the karats of gold, the softer the gold is (my small Senegal Parrot can easily shred my 24k gold Thai Baht necklace while a handmade 14k gold chain is impervious to his little beak. The larger African Grey Parrot I had could tear apart everything down to 9k!).