Gold rush: Understanding different types of gold

april 26, 2025

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Gold has been all the rage lately due to its soaring prices. Gold prices are near their all-time high due to global uncertainty driven by US President Trump’s tariff policies. 

Gold rates were at their lifetime high of ₹1,02,100 per 10 gm in Delhi on April 22. While gold nears ₹1 lakh, let’s learn more about gold. 

Gold comes in various types—defined by colour, purity and coatings. As Akshaya Tritiya approaches, understanding these differences can help you buy the right type of gold. 

Gold rates were at their lifetime high of ₹1,02,100 per 10 gm in Delhi on April 22. While gold nears ₹1 lakh, let’s learn more about gold. 

Yellow gold

This is made by alloying gold with palladium, nickel or silver. It has a bright tone and is often plated with rhodium to make it more durable. 

White gold

This is made by mixing gold with a big proportion of copper. It has a pinkish tone, which makes it a popular choice for unique jewellery pieces. 

Rose gold

Green gold, made with silver, and other coloured golds are used in artistic designs. These are made with specific metal alloys with gold. 

Green and other coloured golds

24-karat gold is 99.9% pure with a deep yellow colour. It is soft and malleable—making it less suitable for jewellery but a good investment. 

24K gold

22K gold is 91.6% pure and is often used in fine jewellery. 18K (75% pure) and 14K (58.3% pure) are popular for daily-wear jewellery due to their durability.

22K, 18K and 14K

10K gold (41.7% purity) and other variants with lower karats are more affordable and durable but are less vibrant. They are used for budget-friendly purchases. 

10K and lesser

Gold at ₹1 lakh: Price trends over the years

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