Understanding Gold Pricing
Gold prices are quoted in troy ounces, which differ from standard ounces. One troy ounce equals approximately 31.1 grams. Key factors affecting gold prices include global economic conditions, currency fluctuations (especially the US dollar), central bank policies, supply and demand from jewelry and industrial sectors, and geopolitical events.
Weight Conversion Guide
Precious metals are measured using various units across different regions:
- Troy Ounce: Standard unit for precious metals (31.1035 g)
- Gram: Metric system base unit, widely used globally
- Tola: Traditional South Asian unit (11.66 g)
- Tael: East Asian unit, varies by region (37.5-38 g)
- Kilogram: Used for large quantities (1000 g)
Purity Standards
Precious metal purity is measured using two main systems:
- Karat (K): Used for gold, with 24K being pure gold (99.9%)
- Fineness: Parts per thousand (e.g., 999 = 99.9% pure)
- 18K Gold: 75% pure gold, 25% other metals
- Sterling Silver: 92.5% silver, 7.5% other metals
Market Hours & Trading
Precious metals trade 24 hours a day across global markets. The Asian session covers Sydney, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. The European session centers on London (the largest gold market). The US session operates through the New York COMEX exchange. The most active trading occurs during the London-New York overlap (8am-12pm EST).