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Purity, karats and hallmarks
Karats, fineness numbers, hallmarks and alloys, so you know exactly what a stamp on gold means.
A ring marked 14K and a coin marked .9999 are both gold, but they contain very different amounts of it. These guides decode the numbers and stamps.
PurityFineness and purity marks, from 999 to five ninesFineness measures gold purity in parts per thousand. Learn what 999, 9999 and 99999 mean, why bullion bars carry these numbers and how they relate to karats.
PurityGold colors and alloys, white, rose, green and moreGold comes in many colors because of the metals mixed into it. Here is what makes white, rose, green and other colored golds, and how each wears over time.
PurityGold hallmarks, how to read the stampsHallmarks are official marks that guarantee a precious metal's purity. Here is how to read UK and international hallmarks, US quality marks and the stamps that mean plated, not solid.PurityKarats explained, with a full karat tableKarats tell you how much of an item is pure gold, in 24ths. Here is a complete table from 24K down to 8K, with percentages, stamps and what each is used for.PuritySolid, plated, gold-filled and vermeil comparedPlated, gold-filled and vermeil jewelry all look golden but contain very different amounts of gold. This comparison table shows the differences and how long each lasts.
PurityGold colors and alloys, white, rose, green and moreGold comes in many colors because of the metals mixed into it. Here is what makes white, rose, green and other colored golds, and how each wears over time.PurityGold hallmarks, how to read the stampsHallmarks are official marks that guarantee a precious metal's purity. Here is how to read UK and international hallmarks, US quality marks and the stamps that mean plated, not solid.PurityKarats explained, with a full karat tableKarats tell you how much of an item is pure gold, in 24ths. Here is a complete table from 24K down to 8K, with percentages, stamps and what each is used for.PuritySolid, plated, gold-filled and vermeil comparedPlated, gold-filled and vermeil jewelry all look golden but contain very different amounts of gold. This comparison table shows the differences and how long each lasts.