24 karat vs 18 karat gold: which to buy?
Differences in purity, durability and price between 999 and 750 gold for investment and jewelry.
24-karat gold (999‰) is pure gold — ideal for investment but too soft for everyday jewelry. 18-karat gold (750‰) is the standard alloy for Swiss and international jewelry.
Durability: 24k gold scratches easily and deforms under pressure. 18k gold, alloyed with 25% copper, silver, or palladium, is 3 times harder (120-200 HV vs 25-50 HV).
Price: At current rates, 1g of 24k gold is worth ~CHF 83 and 1g of 18k gold ~CHF 62. But note: 18k jewelry has added value (design, craftsmanship) that far exceeds its metal value.
VAT: In Switzerland, gold ≥995‰ in bars and coins is VAT-exempt. 18k gold jewelry is taxed at 8.1%. This is a major fiscal differential for the investor.
Advice: For investing, buy 24k (bars, coins). For wearing, buy 18k. Never mix the two objectives — a piece of jewelry is not an investment, and a bar is not a gift.