What Does Each Gold Karat Actually Mean?

Common Stamp on Jewellery
Gold Karat/Carat
Approximate Gold Purity
375
9ct Gold
37.5% pure gold
417
10ct Gold
41.7% pure gold
585
14ct Gold
58.5% pure gold
750
18ct Gold
75% pure gold
916
22ct Gold
91.6% pure gold
999
24ct Gold
99.9% pure gold
Common Stamp on Jewellery 375
Gold Karat/Carat 9ct Gold
Approximate Gold Purity 37.5% pure gold
Common Stamp on Jewellery 417
Gold Karat/Carat 10ct Gold
Approximate Gold Purity 41.7% pure gold
Common Stamp on Jewellery 585
Gold Karat/Carat 14ct Gold
Approximate Gold Purity 58.5% pure gold
Common Stamp on Jewellery 750
Gold Karat/Carat 18ct Gold
Approximate Gold Purity 75% pure gold
Common Stamp on Jewellery 916
Gold Karat/Carat 22ct Gold
Approximate Gold Purity 91.6% pure gold
Common Stamp on Jewellery 999
Gold Karat/Carat 24ct Gold
Approximate Gold Purity 99.9% pure gold

A Closer Look at Your Gold

Watch and Learn

Not sure what the tiny numbers on your jewellery mean, or how we actually test gold? Tanya takes you through some of the simple things to look for when understanding your gold.

Gold Karat Guide: What Is Your Gold Really Made Of?

Ever noticed a tiny 375, 585 or 750 stamped inside a ring or on the clasp of an old gold chain? That little number can tell you quite a lot.

Gold karats tell us how much pure gold is contained in a piece of jewellery. And if you're sorting through old, broken or unwanted gold, understanding the difference between 9ct, 14ct, 18ct and 22ct is a great place to start.

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  • Where Can I Find the Gold Stamp?

    Grab your jewellery and have a good look -these markings can be tiny.

    Common places to check include:

    Rings: inside the band

    Chains and necklaces: around the clasp

    Bracelets: around the clasp or end link

    Earrings: on the post, hook or back

    Pendants: around the bail or back

    A magnifying glass or your phone camera zoom can make them much easier to spot.

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  • What If My Gold Doesn't Have a Stamp?

    Don't assume it's not gold.

    Older, handmade, imported, worn or resized jewellery may have markings that are difficult to see or no longer visible. And a stamp alone doesn't guarantee the purity of a piece either.

    That's why professional gold testing is important.

    At Gold Buyers Online, we don't rely solely on what is stamped on your jewellery. We professionally test your pieces to determine their gold purity before providing your valuation.

    Learn About Our X-Ray Gold Testing
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What Do the Numbers on Gold Jewellery Mean?

Those tiny three-digit numbers are another way of showing how much pure gold your jewellery contains.

What Does 375 Mean on Gold?

A 375 stamp means your jewellery is 9ct gold.

It contains 37.5% pure gold, with the remaining 62.5% made up of other metals.

9ct gold is particularly common in Australian jewellery, so if you're sorting through an old jewellery box, there's a good chance you'll come across a 375 stamp.

375 = 9ct = 37.5% pure gold

What Does 585 Mean on Gold?

A 585 stamp usually indicates 14ct gold, containing 58.5% pure gold.

14ct jewellery is commonly found in pieces originating from the US and Europe.

585 = 14ct = 58.5% pure gold

What Does 750 Mean on Gold?

Found 750 inside your ring or on a chain?

This indicates 18ct gold, meaning 75% of the metal is pure gold.

Because it contains twice the proportion of pure gold found in 9ct jewellery, an 18ct piece can contain considerably more valuable gold than a 9ct piece of the same weight.

750 = 18ct = 75% pure gold

What Does 916 Mean on Gold?

A 916 stamp indicates 22ct gold, containing approximately 91.6% pure gold.

You'll often see 22ct used in traditional, Indian and Middle Eastern gold jewellery.

916 = 22ct = 91.6% pure gold

What Does 999 Mean on Gold?

999 is fine or 24ct gold, containing approximately 99.9% pure gold.

Because very high-purity gold is soft, 24ct gold is more commonly associated with bullion, coins and some traditional jewellery than everyday Australian jewellery.

999 = 24ct = 99.9% pure gold

Wondering What Gold Like Yours Could Be Worth?

Take a look at real examples of gold bundles we've valued, from old chains and broken jewellery to rings, bracelets and pieces that had been sitting unworn for years.

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Gold Karat FAQs

Does Yellow, White or Rose Gold Change the Karat?

Gold colour and gold purity are two different things.

For example, 18ct yellow gold, 18ct white gold and 18ct rose gold all contain 75% pure gold. Their different colours come from the other metals mixed with the gold.

So don't overlook an old white or rose gold piece just because it doesn't have the traditional yellow-gold appearance.

Solid Gold, Gold Plated or Gold Filled - What's the difference?

Solid gold contains gold throughout the metal and will generally carry a purity marking such as 375, 585, 750 or 916.

You may also come across markings such as GP (gold plated), GF (gold filled) or GEP (gold electroplated). These generally indicate that the piece isn't solid gold throughout, but instead has gold applied over another metal.

Not sure what you're looking at?

That's completely normal. Professional testing is the easiest way to know for sure.

Does a Higher Karat Mean My Gold Is Worth More?

Generally, higher-karat gold contains more pure gold, which can increase its gold value.

But karat isn't the only thing that matters. When we value gold jewellery, we look at:

Gold purity - How much pure gold does the piece contain?

Gold weight- How much does the relevant gold content weigh?

Current gold price - What is gold trading at when your jewellery is valued?

This is why two rings sitting next to each other in your jewellery box can have very different gold values.

How do I know what karat my gold is?

Start by checking for markings such as 375, 585, 750, 916 or a traditional carat marking such as 9ct or 18ct. For an accurate result, professional gold testing can confirm the purity of your piece.

Can real gold have no stamp?

Yes. A missing or unreadable stamp doesn't necessarily mean an item isn't gold. Older, worn, handmade or altered jewellery may have no visible marking. Professional testing can determine its purity.

Does gold karat affect how much my jewellery is worth?

Yes. Purity is one of the main factors used when valuing gold. The value also depends on the gold weight of the piece and the current gold price at the time of valuation.

Is 375 real gold?

Yes. A 375 marking indicates 9ct gold, which contains 37.5% pure gold. 9ct gold is commonly found in Australian jewellery.

Is 750 gold better than 375 gold?

750 gold contains a higher percentage of pure gold. 750 indicates 18ct gold at 75% purity, while 375 indicates 9ct gold at 37.5% purity. From a gold-content perspective, an 18ct piece therefore contains twice the proportion of pure gold.

Is 585 gold real gold?

Yes. 585 generally indicates 14ct gold and means the piece contains 58.5% pure gold.

Is 916 gold real gold?

Yes. 916 indicates approximately 91.6% pure gold, equivalent to 22ct gold.

Is 24ct the purest gold?

24ct or 999 gold is generally considered fine gold and is approximately 99.9% pure.

Can I sell 9ct gold jewellery?

Yes. 9ct gold contains 37.5% pure gold and can have resale value based on its gold content. Rings, chains, bracelets, earrings and broken 9ct jewellery may all contain gold worth selling.