Gold Hallmarks Explained — 916, 750, 999 & What They Mean

Hallmark Reference Table

Hallmark	Karat	Gold Purity	Common Region
`999 / 999.9`	24K	99.9%	Global — investment bars & coins
`916`	22K	91.6%	South Asia, Middle East, Gulf
`875`	21K	87.5%	Gulf, Arabian Peninsula
`750`	18K	75.0%	Europe, Americas, fine jewellery
`585`	14K	58.5%	USA, Europe, fashion jewellery
`417`	10K	41.7%	USA budget jewellery
`375`	9K	37.5%	UK, Australia, everyday jewellery

What Is a Gold Hallmark?

A hallmark is a small stamped number (and sometimes a logo or symbol) applied to gold jewellery and bullion that certifies its metal purity. The system dates back to 14th-century England, when goldsmiths' guilds began testing metal before sale. Today, official assay offices in most countries test and stamp gold before it is sold to consumers.

The number you see is the fineness — the parts per 1,000 that are pure gold. So 916 = 916÷1,000 = 91.6% pure gold, which corresponds to 22 karat. A piece stamped 916 may also be described as "22K" or "22ct" depending on the country.

Regional Hallmarking Authorities

India — Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Compulsory hallmarking with 6-digit HUID since 2021. Check the BIS Care app to verify any piece.
UAE / Gulf — Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology (ESMA). Pieces should show the ESMA mark and karat stamp.
UK — Four assay offices: London (leopard head), Birmingham (anchor), Edinburgh (castle), Sheffield (Yorkshire rose). The fineness number (375, 585, 750, 916, 999) appears alongside the assay office mark.
EU / Germany — The 585 (14K) and 750 (18K) stamps are standard. The EU does not require a specific assay mark but fineness stamping is mandated by law.
USA — No mandatory assay system, but FTC rules require karat disclosure. "14K", "18K", etc. are stamped by the manufacturer. Independent testing is advisable for second-hand pieces.
Bangladesh — BAJUS (Bangladesh Jewellers Association) sets retail price references. Look for retailer stamps and receipts showing karat and weight.

How to Read a Hallmark

Look for the number stamp on the clasp, inside the ring band, or on the back of a pendant. The fineness number (e.g. 916) tells you the karat. Any additional logos (lion passant in UK, BIS logo in India) confirm the issuing authority. If a piece has no hallmark, request an assay test or use an XRF (X-ray fluorescence) gun test available at reputable dealers.

Once you know the karat, compare the dealer's quoted price per gram to today's live gold price — the price should equal the 24K rate multiplied by the karat's purity fraction (plus a fair making charge).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a gold hallmark mean?

A gold hallmark is an official stamp applied by an authorised assay office that certifies the metal's purity. Common hallmarks include 999 (24K), 916 (22K), 750 (18K), and 585 (14K). Hallmarks protect buyers from misrepresentation of gold purity.

What does "916" stamped on gold jewellery mean?

916 is the fineness hallmark for 22 karat gold, meaning 916 parts per 1,000 (91.6%) are pure gold. It is the most common jewellery standard in India, Pakistan, UAE, Bangladesh, and most South Asian and Gulf markets.

What is a BIS hallmark in India?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmark is India's mandatory gold purity certification. Since January 2021, hallmarking is compulsory for 14K, 18K, and 22K gold jewellery. A BIS-certified piece carries the BIS logo, the karat purity (916, 750, etc.), and a 6-digit HUID (Hallmarking Unique ID) for traceability.

What does "750" mean on gold?

750 is the fineness hallmark for 18 karat gold — 750 parts per 1,000 are pure gold (75%). It is the standard for fine jewellery in Western markets, diamond settings, and luxury watch cases.

How do I verify a gold hallmark is genuine?

Check that the stamp is sharp and clear (not blurry or rubbed). In India, scan the 6-digit HUID code on the BIS Care app. In the UAE, look for the Emirates Authority for Standardization (ESMA) mark. In the UK, look for the assay office mark (London anchor, Edinburgh castle, etc.) alongside the fineness number. When in doubt, request an independent assay test.

Is unhallmarked gold worth less?

Unhallmarked gold may still have genuine purity, but without third-party certification you cannot verify the karat claim. This increases risk and typically reduces resale value or buy-back acceptance from reputable dealers. Always prefer hallmarked gold from certified sources.