Investing in gold can be a complex decision, involving considerations of purity, price, and market conditions. When discussing the purity of gold, the “k” represents karats, a measure of the purity of gold. 24k gold is the purest form, with 99.9% gold content, and as the karat number decreases, so does the purity of the gold.

Gold Purity and Composition:

24k: 99.9% pure gold, very soft and susceptible to damage, not typically used for jewellery.

22k: 91.7% gold, used in jewellery but still quite soft, has a rich color.

18k: 75.0% gold, a popular choice for jewellery. This offers a purer yet strong alloy used for jewellery. 

14k: 58.3% gold, widely used for jewellery, harder and more durable than higher karat golds.

10k: 41.7% gold, the minimum standard for gold in the United States, highly durable but may not have the rich color of higher karat golds.

Price Comparison:

24k gold will typically have the highest price per gram or ounce since it’s the purest form.

22k gold will be slightly less expensive compared to 24k.

18k, 14k, and 10k gold will be progressively less expensive as the gold content decreases.

Investment Consideration:

When considering gold as an investment, you may want to think about your investment goals, and how you plan to use the gold. If you are looking it purely from an investment standpoint, then investing in pure 24k Gold bars and coins are the better option. If you are looking to invest in Jewellery to keep for a long time then you have your options of various purities to choose from.

Diversification: Remember that diversification is key in investment. Do not put all your money into gold; instead, have a mix of different assets such as Silver or Platinum.

Liquidity: If liquidity is important, smaller denominations or more widely recognized forms (such as government-issued coins) may be preferable.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer as to which karat of gold is the “best” investment, as it depends on individual investment goals, preferences, and risk tolerance. For pure gold value, 24k gold is the best investment, but it is not ideal for jewellery due to its softness. For durable jewellery with intrinsic value, 18k or 22k may be preferable, and for maximum durability with less concern for intrinsic value, 10k or 14k may be suitable.