Gold Measurement in Pakistan: A Complete Guide to Weight, Purity & Value (2025)
You are about to buy gold. Or maybe you just inherited a gold set. Or perhaps you are thinking about selling something.
Either way, one question is sitting in your head right now.
“How do I know what this gold is actually worth?”Most people guess. They trust the jeweler. They assume the price is fair.
And most people lose money because of it.
This guide fixes that. By the time you finish reading, you will know exactly how gold is measured, priced, and valued in Pakistan. You will know what jewelers know. And you will make decisions with confidence instead of hope.
There are four things you need to understand. This guide walks you through all four — in the exact order that makes sense.
What you will learn:
- How gold purity works and how to read it instantly
- How gold weight is measured in Pakistan and why the units matter
- How gold prices are set and calculated
- How to protect yourself when buying or selling — including a system most people have never heard of
Let us start from the beginning.
- Part 1 — Gold Purity: How Pure Is Your Gold?
- Part 2 — Gold Weight: How Is It Measured in Pakistan?
- Part 3 — Gold Prices: Who Decides and How to Use It
- Part 4 — The Kat System: What Jewelers Do Not Tell You ⚠️
- Part 5 — How to Spot Fake Gold at Home
- Part 6 — Gold Bars vs Gold Jewelry
- Part 7 — Gold Types by Color and Composition
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Gold Measurement Really Means
Before any charts or formulas, understand this one idea.
Most people think gold measurement is just about weight. It is not.
Gold measurement covers two completely separate things:
How many tolas, grams, or ounces does it weigh?
How much of that weight is actually pure gold?
Here is why both matter.
The 24K bangle has more pure gold in it. The 18K bangle has 25% other metals mixed in. Same weight. Very different prices.
This is why you always need to know both numbers before buying or selling anything gold.
Part 1: Gold Purity — How Pure Is Your Gold?
The Karat System: What It Actually Means
▶ Did You Know? Where the word “karat” actually comes from
In Pakistan and internationally karat (K or kt) tells you how much pure gold is in a piece compared to other metals.
Think of it like this. Imagine dividing any gold item into 24 equal parts. Karat tells you how many of those 24 parts are pure gold.
The formula is straightforward:
So if someone tells you a piece is 22K gold, you know instantly: 22 divided by 24 equals 91.67%. That piece is 91.67% pure gold.
Karat vs Carat: A Confusion That Costs People Money
In Pakistan, people often use these words interchangeably. They are not the same. Confusing them when buying jewelry with gemstones can cost you real money.
| Term | Measures | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Karat (K or kt) | Purity of gold | Gold jewelry, gold bars |
| Carat (ct) | Weight of gemstones | Diamonds, rubies, emeralds |
A 2-carat diamond means the diamond weighs 0.4 grams (1 carat = 0.2 grams).
An 18-karat gold ring means the ring is 75% pure gold.
Completely different measurements. Never confuse them when buying jewelry with gemstones.
Complete Gold Karat Chart for Pakistan
These are the numbers you will see stamped on gold items. Learn them. They are your first protection against being misled.
| Karat | International Mark | Purity % | Common Use in Pakistan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | Gold 999 | 99.99% | Gold bars, biscuits, investment |
| 22K ★ | Gold 916 | 91.67% | Jewelry (most common) |
| 21K | Gold 875 | 87.50% | Jewelry |
| 20K | Gold 833 | 83.33% | Jewelry |
| 18K | Gold 750 | 75.00% | Fine jewelry, diamond sets |
| 16K | Gold 667 | 66.67% | Less common |
| 14K | Gold 585 | 58.33% | Less common |
| 12K | Gold 500 | 50.00% | Rare |
| 10K | Gold 417 | 41.67% | Rare in Pakistan |
| 9K | Gold 375 | 37.50% | Rare in Pakistan |
| 8K | Gold 333 | 33.33% | Very rare |
The Fineness System: The Other Way Purity Is Marked
Fineness is purity expressed in parts per thousand instead of parts per 24.
You will often see fineness numbers stamped directly on gold bars and jewelry. Learning these numbers helps you identify gold purity instantly.
| Fineness Stamp | Karat Equivalent | Purity % |
|---|---|---|
| 999.9 | 24K | 99.99% |
| 916 | 22K | 91.6% |
| 875 | 21K | 87.5% |
| 833 | 20K | 83.3% |
| 750 | 18K | 75% |
| 667 | 16K | 66.7% |
| 585 | 14K | 58.5% |
| 500 | 12K | 50% |
| 417 | 10K | 41.7% |
| 375 | 9K | 37.5% |
| 333 | 8K | 33.3% |
A gold bar stamped 999.9 is pure investment-grade gold. A ring stamped 750 is 18K gold. A bangle stamped 916 is 22K gold.
These stamps are your first line of defense against being misled.
Why Pure 24K Gold Is Not Used for Jewelry
This surprises many people.
Pure 24K gold is extremely soft. It bends easily. It scratches. It loses its shape with regular wear.
Only three chemicals in the world react with pure gold:
This makes gold almost completely resistant to rust and corrosion. But softness is still a practical problem.
So jewelers mix gold with harder metals like copper or silver. This mixture is called an alloy.
The amount of these added metals determines the karat value. More copper or silver mixed in means lower karat. Less means higher karat.
In Pakistan, most gold jewelry is made in 22K or 21K because these karats are durable enough for daily wear while still containing a high percentage of pure gold.
Gold and Silver Purity Side by Side
In Pakistan silver jewelry is also common. Knowing silver purity standards helps you avoid paying gold prices for silver-heavy items.
| Metal Type | Fineness Mark | Purity % | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K Gold (Fine Gold) | 999 | 99.99% | Investment bars, coins |
| 22K Gold | 916 | 91.67% | Jewelry Pakistan |
| 21K Gold | 875 | 87.50% | Jewelry |
| 18K Gold | 750 | 75.00% | Fine jewelry |
| Fine Silver | 999 | 99.99% | Bullion, investment |
| Sterling Silver | 925 | 92.5% | Jewelry, cutlery |
| Silver Coin | 900 | 90% | Historic coins |
| German Silver | 800 | 80% | Silverware |
Part 2: Gold Weight — How Is It Measured in Pakistan?
The Units You Will Encounter
In Pakistan, gold weight is measured using a traditional system that dates back to the Mughal era. The main units are:
Internationally, gold is measured in grams and troy ounces. In Pakistan, you will deal with both systems depending on whether you are buying local jewelry or international bullion.
The Tola: Pakistan’s Primary Gold Unit
▶ Did You Know? The history of the Tola
Important: There are two versions of the tola. Indian and Pakistani.
This difference matters. When gold prices are quoted per tola, always confirm which tola standard is being used. A 0.84-gram difference per tola becomes significant in large transactions. In this guide, all tola references follow the Pakistani standard of 12.5 grams unless stated otherwise.
Masha: The Middle Unit
A masha is 1/12 of a tola.
Masha is commonly used when pricing smaller gold items or when calculating deductions (kat) in jewelry transactions.
Ratti: The Smallest Traditional Unit
A ratti is the smallest traditional gold measurement unit still in use in Pakistan.
Ratti is important not just as a weight unit. It is central to how jewelry deductions are calculated in Pakistan, which we cover in detail in the Ratti Masha Kat section below.
The Troy Ounce: International Standard
When you buy gold bars or follow international gold prices, everything is quoted in troy ounces.
| Unit | Weight |
|---|---|
| Troy Ounce | 31.1035 grams |
| Regular (Avoirdupois) Ounce | 28.3495 grams |
| Difference | 2.7539 grams |
This difference of 2.75 grams seems small. But at current gold prices it represents a significant amount of money per ounce. Always confirm which ounce is being referenced in any international transaction.
▶ Did You Know? History of the Troy Ounce
Older Units You Might Still Encounter
Pennyweight (dwt)
Still used occasionally in some jewelry contexts.
1 pennyweight = 1.555 grams | 1 pennyweight = 0.05 troy ounces
1 grain = 0.0648 grams | 1 troy ounce = 480 grains | 1 tola = 180 troy grains
Complete Weight Conversion Table for Pakistan
| Unit | Grams | Masha | Ratti | Tola (Pakistani) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tola | 12.5g | 12 | 96 | 1 |
| 1 Masha | ~0.972g | 1 | 8 | 0.0833 |
| 1 Ratti | 0.1213g | 0.125 | 1 | 0.01042 |
| 1 Gram | 1g | 1.0288 | 8.231 | 0.08 |
| 1 Troy Oz | 31.1035g | 32.03 | 256.24 | 2.488 |
How to Convert Between Units: Quick Reference
| Conversion | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Grams to Troy Oz | Divide by 31.1035 | 50g ÷ 31.1035 = 1.608 oz |
| Troy Oz to Grams | Multiply by 31.1035 | 2 oz × 31.1035 = 62.207g |
| Grams to Tola (PK) | Divide by 12.5 | 25g ÷ 12.5 = 2 tola |
| Tola (PK) to Grams | Multiply by 12.5 | 3 tola × 12.5 = 37.5g |
| Tola to Masha | Multiply by 12 | 2 tola × 12 = 24 masha |
| Masha to Ratti | Multiply by 8 | 5 masha × 8 = 40 ratti |
| Grams to Masha | Multiply by 1.0288 | 10g × 1.0288 = 10.288 masha |
Part 3: Gold Prices in Pakistan and How They Work
Who Sets Gold Prices in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, gold rates are set by Sarafa Associations in each city. The most important is the Karachi Sarafa Association (APSGJA). Karachi gold rates are taken as the national benchmark for buying and selling gold across all of Pakistan.
Gold.pk and other platforms receive rates directly from the Karachi Sarafa Association and publish them for public reference.
Gold rates are published twice daily by the association. Once at opening and once at closing. Rates change based on international gold prices, the USD/PKR exchange rate, and local market demand.
How International Gold Prices Convert to Pakistan Prices
International gold is priced in US dollars per troy ounce. To get the Pakistani rupee price per gram, dealers use this formula:
= (2,400 × 280) ÷ 31.1035
= 672,000 ÷ 31.1035
= PKR 21,606 per gram approximately
Then this per-gram rate is adjusted for karat purity.
Seasonal Gold Price Patterns in Pakistan
Gold prices in Pakistan follow a seasonal pattern that most buyers ignore.
If you are buying gold as an investment or for upcoming occasions, buying during summer months when demand is lower can give you a better rate.
Monitoring Gold Prices Daily
Serious gold buyers in Pakistan use multiple sources:
Kitco or GoldPrice.org — for real-time international spot prices
Pakistani bank mobile apps — that offer price alerts when gold reaches a target level
Setting price alerts at significant thresholds helps you buy during temporary dips rather than at peak prices.
Part 4: The Ratti Masha Kat System (What Jewelers Do Not Tell You)
Two Types of Gold Trade in Pakistan
| Trade Type | Hidden Charges | Kat Applied |
|---|---|---|
| Gold bars / biscuits | None | None |
| Gold jewelry | Yes | Yes |
When you buy or sell gold bars or biscuits, there are no hidden deductions. The weight is the weight. The price is the price.
But when you buy or sell gold jewelry, a completely different set of rules applies. These rules involve something called Kat.
What Is Kat?
Kat is a deduction applied by jewelers when you sell them your gold jewelry.
It accounts for:
The problem is not that these deductions exist. The problem is that polish and copper are deducted at the full gold rate. You end up paying gold prices for materials that are not gold.
How Kat Is Calculated: Step by Step
Kat is calculated in the smallest traditional units. Masha and ratti.
The standard rule:
For every 1 masha of gold, a minimum of 1 ratti is deducted as kat.
You brought in 5 tolas. You get paid for 4.375 tolas. And this is the minimum kat with no polish and no pearls.
When the Jewelry Has Polish and Pearls
The deductions get worse.
- Pearls are physically removed from the jewelry. The jeweler does not pay for them.
- Polish carries an additional kat of 1 ratti to 1 masha per piece.
This additional kat can reduce your payment by another 0.6 tola on a 5-tola piece.
Total received in worst case:
5 tola minus 0.625 (basic kat) minus 0.6 (polish and pearl kat) = approximately 3.775 tolas
What You Should Do
Compare kat rates across multiple jewelers before agreeing to sell.
If you are selling for investment purposes, sell gold bars or biscuits instead of jewelry. Bars have zero kat deductions.
Keep original purchase receipts showing weight and karat. This gives you a verified starting point for negotiations.
Part 5: How to Spot Fake Gold at Home
Fake gold is a real problem in Pakistan. These simple tests help you protect yourself before spending money on gold that is not genuine.
No single test is 100% reliable. Use two or three together for confidence.
Check the Hallmark
The Magnet Test
The Ceramic Streak Test
The Skin Test
The Water Density Test
Visual Inspection for Wear
When to Get Professional Testing
For any gold purchase over a few thousand rupees, get professional testing.
Fire assay is the most accurate method. A small sample is melted and analyzed. Used for high-value transactions.
Part 6: Gold Bars vs Gold Jewelry in Pakistan
Understanding the difference between buying gold bars and gold jewelry helps you make smarter financial decisions.
Gold Bars and Biscuits
Gold bars and biscuits in Pakistan are typically 24K, 999.9 fineness. This is investment-grade gold.
Advantages of gold bars:
✓ No kat deductions when selling
✓ Pure gold content verified by refiner stamp
✓ Easier to liquidate at full market value
✓ Available in sizes from 1 gram to 10 tola and above
Popular tola bar sizes available in Pakistan:
| Size | Weight (Pakistani tola) | Weight (grams) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Tola | 1 tola | 12.5g |
| 2 Tola | 2 tola | 25g |
| 5 Tola | 5 tola | 62.5g |
| 10 Tola ★ Most Traded | 10 tola | 125g |
Tola bars remain extremely popular in Pakistan, especially for gifting at weddings and religious occasions. The 10-tola bar is one of the most traded sizes.
Gold Jewelry
Gold jewelry in Pakistan is typically 22K or 21K for everyday pieces. 18K is used for intricate diamond or gemstone settings.
Disadvantages compared to bars when selling:
✗ Making charges reduce resale value
✗ Polish and added metals reduce payment received
✗ Harder to verify exact weight and purity without equipment
The Weight-to-Value Relationship
| Item | Weight | Karat | Pure Gold Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K Gold Bar | 1 tola (12.5g) | 24K | 12.5g pure gold |
| 22K Gold Bangle | 1 tola (12.5g) | 22K | 11.46g pure gold |
| 18K Gold Ring | 1 tola (12.5g) | 18K | 9.375g pure gold |
Same weight. Very different amounts of actual gold.
The Simple Rule
Buy jewelry when you want to wear it.
Buy bars when you want to invest or save.
Jewelry has emotional and cultural value that bars do not. But if your goal is to preserve wealth, protect savings, or give a gift that holds maximum monetary value bars are the smarter choice every time.
Part 7: Gold Types by Color and Composition
Pure gold is always yellow. But when other metals are mixed in (alloyed), the color changes. This is how jewelers create different gold colors.
Gold Colors Available in Pakistan
| Gold Color | Metals Added | Common Karat |
|---|---|---|
| 🟡 Yellow Gold | Silver + Copper | 22K, 21K, 18K |
| ⚪ White Gold | Palladium or Silver + Rhodium coating | 18K |
| 🌸 Rose Gold | Copper + Silver (higher copper) | 18K |
| 🟢 Green Gold | Gold + higher Silver content | 18K |
| ⚫ Black Gold | Gold + Cobalt Oxide patina | Specialty |
White gold is coated with rhodium to create a harder, shinier surface. Over time this coating wears off and needs to be reapplied.
Rose gold gets its pink color from higher copper content. The more copper, the deeper the pink.
Green gold uses a higher proportion of silver. The result is a subtle greenish-yellow shade.
Black gold derives its dark color from cobalt oxide. It is a specialty product not commonly found in regular Pakistani markets.
How Alloy Metals Change the Value of Your Gold
When you mix metals into gold, those metals have their own weight. But they are worth far less than gold per gram.
This is why purity matters so much when buying jewelry.
A 22K gold bangle weighing 2 tolas contains:
- 91.67% gold = 1.833 tolas of pure gold
- 8.33% other metals = 0.167 tolas of copper and silver
A 18K gold bangle weighing the same 2 tolas contains:
- 75% gold = 1.5 tolas of pure gold
- 25% other metals = 0.5 tolas of other metals
Same weight. Very different gold content. Very different value.