Gold Stamp & Hallmark Guide
Complete guide to gold stamps, fineness marks, and what they mean
Gold stamps indicate the purity of gold in jewelry. The number represents parts per thousand of pure gold. 999 = 99.9% pure (24K). 916 = 91.6% pure (22K, common in India and Middle East). 875 = 87.5% pure (21K, common in Gulf states). 750 = 75% pure (18K, standard fine jewelry). 585 = 58.5% pure (14K, most popular in US). 417 = 41.7% pure (10K, minimum legal gold in US). 375 = 37.5% pure (9K, common in UK). Warning stamps: GP (gold plated), GF (gold filled), GE (gold electroplate), HGE (heavy gold electroplate), RGP (rolled gold plate) — these are NOT solid gold. 925 is sterling silver, PT/PLAT is platinum.
| Stamp | Purity | USD/g |
|---|---|---|
| 999 / 24K | 100.0% | 135.56 |
| 916 / 22K | 91.7% | 124.28 |
| 875 / 21K | 87.5% | 118.62 |
| 750 / 18K | 75.0% | 101.68 |
| 585 / 14K | 58.3% | 79.08 |
| 417 / 10K | 41.7% | 56.49 |
| 375 / 9K | 37.5% | 50.84 |
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Frequently asked questions
What does 585 mean on gold?▾
585 means 14 karat gold — 58.5% pure gold. It's the most common gold purity in the United States and Europe.
What does 750 mean on gold?▾
750 means 18 karat gold — 75% pure gold. Standard for fine jewelry worldwide.
What does 916 mean on gold?▾
916 means 22 karat gold — 91.6% pure gold. Most common in India, Middle East, and South Asia.
What does GP mean on jewelry?▾
GP means Gold Plated — a thin layer of gold (0.5-2.5 microns) over a base metal. NOT solid gold.
What is the difference between GF and GP?▾
GF (Gold Filled) has a thicker gold layer (~5% by weight) than GP (Gold Plated, <0.05%). GF is more valuable but still not solid gold.