Thailand gold is distinct for its high purity, particularly its prevalent 23 karat form, which is significantly purer than the 18k or 14k gold commonly found in Western countries.
Understanding Thailand Gold
At its core, Thailand gold is characterized by its purity level. The most popular type with Thai consumers is 23 karat gold.
- Purity: 23 karat gold is 96.5% pure gold. This high level of purity gives it a rich, deep yellow color.
- Composition: The remaining 3.5% consists of other metals, typically silver and bronze, added for durability, though due to its high purity, 23k gold is softer than lower karat gold.
- Stamping: You can easily identify this gold by its characteristic “965” stamp, which denotes 96.5% purity.
While 23 karat gold is the most traditional and popular choice in Thailand, especially for investment purposes and traditional jewelry, some dealers also offer gold in other karats:
- 22 karat
- 20 karat
- 18 karat
However, 23 karat gold remains the standard and is highly sought after by local buyers.
Purity Comparison
Here is a quick comparison of common gold purities:
| Karat | Purity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9%+ | Pure gold, too soft for most jewelry |
| 23K | 96.5% | Standard Thailand Gold (Stamped "965") |
| 22K | 91.7% | Still high purity, used in some jewelry |
| 20K | 83.3% | Less common |
| 18K | 75.0% | Common in Western jewelry |
| 14K | 58.3% | Common in Western jewelry |
This high purity makes Thai gold attractive for investment, as the price is closely tied to the global spot price of gold. It is often bought and sold based on weight rather than intricate craftsmanship, although beautiful jewelry pieces are also made from it.
