18K vs 22K Gold: Which Is Better for Diamond Jewellery?
Buying guide
22K gold contains more pure gold (91.6%) than 18K (75%), so it is a richer yellow and is priced mostly by weight, but it is soft and bends and scratches more easily. 18K is harder, holds diamonds and fine details securely and comes in yellow, white and rose. 14K (58.5%) is harder again but paler and holds less gold. For diamond jewellery worn every day, 18K is usually the best balance. For plain gold bought partly as savings, 22K puts more gold in every gram.
Shop the Love Bracelet18K gold · Free delivery in the UAE · Pay in instalments with Tabby or Tamara (UAE and KSA) · Help on WhatsApp
By Lana Al Kamal
Founder and jewellery designer, GIA-trained, Dubai · Updated 13 November 2026
As featured in
Harper's Bazaar ArabiaEmirates WomanGrazia ArabiaJdeed MagazineKey takeaways
- 22K is 91.6% gold (hallmark 916), 18K is 75% (750) and 14K is 58.5% (585).
- 22K is the softest of the three, so it suits plain gold more than diamond settings and fine details.
- For diamond pieces worn every day, 18K balances gold content, strength and colour choice; every Lana Al Kamal piece is 18K.
What do 22K, 18K and 14K mean?
Karat measures how many parts out of 24 are pure gold. The rest is alloy, other metals that make gold harder and change its colour. The hallmark inside a piece gives the same figure in thousandths. Dubai's daily gold rate is quoted for 24K, 22K, 21K and 18K, so you will see all of these in UAE shops. The World Gold Council explains the system.
| Karat | Gold content | Hallmark | Colour | Hardness | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 999 | Deep yellow | Very soft | Bars and coins |
| 22K | 91.6% | 916 | Rich yellow | Soft | Plain gold, traditional sets |
| 18K | 75% | 750 | Yellow, white or rose | Harder | Diamond jewellery, everyday wear |
| 14K | 58.5% | 585 | Paler yellow, white or rose | Hardest of these | Budget everyday pieces |
Pieces in this guide
Love Bracelet★★★★★ 5.0 (1 review)AED 3,900Shop now
Arabic Name Necklace★★★★★ 5.0 (1 review)From AED 4,250Shop now
Heart Diamonds Necklace Double FaceAED 4,200Shop now
Is 22K or 18K stronger?
18K. With a quarter of the metal as alloy, 18K bends and scratches less than 22K, which is only 8.4% alloy. The difference shows most in rings, bracelets and fine chains that are worn every day, and in the small claws and bezels that hold diamonds. A soft claw can open over time and let a stone loosen, so diamond jewellery is rarely made in 22K.
Why not 14K?
14K is harder than 18K and costs less per gram because it holds less gold, which is why searches for 14K pieces are growing in the UAE. The trade-off is colour and gold content: 14K yellow is noticeably paler, and only 58.5% of the metal is gold. For fine jewellery with diamonds, 18K keeps a warmer yellow while staying strong enough for settings. If you want to check what you are buying, look for the 585, 750 or 916 stamp.
What to buyLove Bracelet, AED 3,900Which is better value?
It depends on what you are paying for. Plain 22K pieces are priced mainly by weight at the day's gold rate plus a making charge, so much of the money stays in the gold. With designer diamond jewellery, a large part of the price is the design, the craftsmanship and the diamonds, so karat matters more for how the piece wears and lasts than for resale. That is why we use 18K for every piece, with VS clarity diamonds, from the Love Bracelet (AED 3,900) to the Arabic Name Necklace (from AED 4,250, November 2026).
Can 22K gold be white or rose?
Almost never. With so little alloy there is no room to change the colour, so 22K is yellow. 18K can be alloyed to white or rose, which is why many of our designs come in more than one gold colour.
When should you choose each?
Choose 22K for plain gold sets, bangles and coins where the weight of gold is the point. Choose 18K for diamond pieces, name necklaces, rings and anything worn daily or wanted in white or rose gold, such as the Heart Diamonds Necklace (AED 4,200, November 2026). Choose 14K only if budget matters more than colour and gold content. Comparing 18K with 21K instead? See 18K vs 21K gold, and for name necklaces, which karat to choose for a name necklace.
How long does delivery take?
Most pieces are made to order in about 15 working days. Delivery then takes about 3 working days within the UAE, where it is free, and about 5 working days to Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC. Not sure which piece suits you? Ask our team on WhatsApp.
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Frequently asked questions
Is 22K or 18K gold better?
22K has more pure gold and a richer yellow; 18K is harder and better for diamonds, fine details and everyday wear. For diamond jewellery, 18K is usually the better choice.
How much gold is in 22K, 18K and 14K?
22K is 91.6% gold (hallmark 916), 18K is 75% (750) and 14K is 58.5% (585).
Why is diamond jewellery rarely 22K?
22K is soft, so the claws and settings that hold diamonds can bend or open over time. 18K is hard enough to keep stones secure.
Is 14K gold real gold?
Yes. 14K is solid gold that is 58.5% pure gold. It is harder than 18K but paler and holds less gold.
What karat does Lana Al Kamal use?
All Lana Al Kamal jewellery is 18K gold, and the diamonds are VS clarity.
Not sure which one?
Send our team a photo or a question on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.
WhatsApp our teamKeep reading
18K vs 21K Gold: Which Is Better for Jewellery?
18K, 21K, 22K or 24K: Which Gold for a Name Necklace?
About Lana Al Kamal
Lana Al Kamal is an architect and jewellery designer who founded her Dubai-based fine jewellery brand in 2018. She studied at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and is a member of the Dubai Chamber jewellery designers group. Every piece is made in 18K gold.
