Planning To Buy 24K Gold This Akshaya Tritiya? Know The 999 Vs 995 Purity Difference
Akshaya Tritiya, an auspicious occasion for buying gold in India, is considered a symbol of prosperity and good fortune
Akshaya Tritiya 2025: Akshaya Tritiya, an auspicious occasion for buying gold in India, is considered a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. As families head to jewellers and bullion dealers to make their festive purchases, understanding the purity of gold, especially in its 24-karat form, becomes crucial for making informed decisions.
While shopping for gold coins or bars (bullion) this Akshaya Tritiya, you may notice markings like 999 or 995 fineness stamped on them. These numbers can be confusing for many, but they simply refer to the purity level of gold in parts per thousand. And if you're planning to invest in the purest form of gold, 24-karat gold is your go-to option.
What Does 24-Karat Gold Mean?
Gold purity is measured in karats and fineness. According to the World Gold Council, 24-karat gold is considered pure because it is not alloyed with other metals. This translates to a fineness of 1.0, or 1,000 parts per thousand. However, due to slight impurities that naturally occur during refining, gold is usually available in fineness levels like 999 (99.9%) or 995 (99.5%)—both considered 24-karat, but with minor differences in purity.
999 vs 995 Fineness: Which One Should You Buy?
As gold purity increases, so does its price. Naturally, 999 fineness gold (99.9% pure) is slightly more expensive than 995 fineness gold (99.5% pure). According to Vikas Singh, MD & CEO of MMTC-PAMP, these purity levels are international standards used to classify gold. The difference lies in the level of impurities present—marginal, but it can impact both the cost and intended use.
What About Jewellery in 24K?
While 24K jewellery exists, it's rare. Specialised equipment is needed to shape such soft gold, so most jewellers offer ornaments in 22K or 18K. However, 24K pendants, coins, and small religious items may be found this festive season.
Suvankar Sen of Senco Gold & Diamonds adds that in some traditional markets—especially in western India—23K jewellery is also offered, catering to niche preferences.
Hallmarking Rules You Should Know
Since June 2021, the government has made hallmarking mandatory for gold items in six purity levels: 14KT, 18KT, 20KT, 22KT, 23KT, and 24KT. For 24K gold, 995 fineness is the standard benchmark. Although hallmarking is not mandatory for coins and bars, experts like Prithviraj Kothari from IBJA recommend looking for hallmarked items to ensure authenticity and transparency.
Akshaya Tritiya in 2025 will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 30. It is considered an auspicious day for new beginnings, especially for purchasing gold and making significant investments.
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