What do 375, 585, 750 and 916 mean on my gold?
Short answer: the number is how many parts in 1,000 are pure gold. 375 is 9 carat, 585 is 14 carat, 750 is 18 carat and 916 is 22 carat. The higher the number, the more pure gold in the piece.
The common marks
| Stamp | Carat | Pure gold | Where you often see it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 375 or 9ct | 9 carat | 37.5% | Most everyday Australian and British jewellery |
| 417 or 10K | 10 carat | 41.7% | American jewellery |
| 585 or 14ct / 14K | 14 carat | 58.5% | European and American rings and chains |
| 750 or 18ct / 18K | 18 carat | 75% | Engagement rings, better quality pieces |
| 916 or 22ct / 22K | 22 carat | 91.6% | Indian, Middle Eastern and Asian jewellery |
| 999 or 24ct | 24 carat | 99.9% | Bullion, some Asian jewellery |
The rest of the metal is usually silver, copper, palladium or zinc. That is what makes 9ct stronger than 22ct, and what gives white and rose gold their colour.
Where to look
Inside a ring band, on the clasp or tag of a chain, on the back of a pendant, or on the post of an earring. A jeweller's loupe or your phone camera on zoom helps.
Marks that mean "not solid gold"
GF (gold filled), GP (gold plated), RGP (rolled gold plate), HGE (heavy gold electroplate) and "rolled gold" all mean a thin layer of gold over another metal. These pieces usually carry little gold value. Bring them in anyway if you are unsure; we will tell you what we see.
No stamp at all?
Many genuine pieces have no mark, especially older, handmade or resized ones. A stamp can also be wrong. We test unmarked gold at the counter and explain the result before any offer is made.
Other marks you might see
- 925 or "sterling": silver, not gold.
- 950 or "Pt": platinum.
- A maker's mark or initials next to the number: the jeweller or manufacturer.
What this means when you sell
The carat sets how much pure gold is in the piece, and weight sets how much there is. Together, with the day's gold price, they set the gold value. Diamonds, gemstones and well-known makers can add value above the gold. We look at all of it and explain our offer in plain language. There is no obligation to sell.
Selling at Perth Jewellery Buyers
- Bring your pieces as they are, plus three forms of ID. One must be an official document showing your name and address, dated within the last three months.
- Sellers must be 18 or over.
- We pay by bank transfer only.