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If you’ve ever looked closely at a piece of gold jewellery, you’ve seen a small three-digit number stamped into it — 916, 750, or 585. These numbers aren’t decorative. They’re one of the most important pieces of information on any piece of gold, and knowing how to read them puts you in a much stronger position as a buyer. Here’s exactly what each number means.
What do the numbers on gold jewellery mean?
The three-digit number stamped on hallmarked gold jewellery represents the gold’s purity in parts per thousand. In other words, it tells you how much of the total metal is pure gold out of 1,000 parts. The rest is made up of other metals (usually silver, copper or zinc) that are added to increase hardness and durability, since pure gold at 24K is too soft for everyday jewellery.
| Hallmark | Karat | Gold purity | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 999 | 24K | 99.9% pure gold | Gold coins, bars, investment gold |
| 916 | 22K | 91.6% pure gold | Most Indian jewellery — bangles, chains, necklaces |
| 875 | 21K | 87.5% pure gold | Rare in India; common in Gulf markets |
| 750 | 18K | 75% pure gold | Diamond-set jewellery, modern designs |
| 585 | 14K | 58.5% pure gold | Western jewellery, less common in India |
| 375 | 9K | 37.5% pure gold | Fashion jewellery; very rare in India |
916 gold: the Indian standard
The 916 hallmark — meaning 22-karat gold — is what the vast majority of Indian jewellery is made from. At 91.6% pure gold, it’s rich in colour, close to pure gold in appearance, and still has enough alloy (8.4%) to hold its shape through daily use. Wedding jewellery, bridal sets, temple jewellery, chains, bangles, mangalsutra — almost all of these are 916.
750 gold: the choice for diamond jewellery
18-karat (750) gold is 75% pure and 25% alloy. The higher alloy content makes it harder than 916, which is exactly why it’s used for diamond-set and stone-set jewellery. Diamonds need prong settings that can grip firmly without bending; 22K gold is too soft for this. Brands like Tanishq, Malabar and Kalyan sell their diamond jewellery in 18K rather than 22K for exactly this reason.
585 gold: 14 karat
585 hallmark indicates 14-karat gold — 58.5% pure. This is the standard for gold jewellery in the United States and much of Europe, but relatively rare in India where higher purities are preferred. You’ll mostly encounter 585 on imported jewellery or branded international collections.
999 gold: investment grade, not for wearing
999 means 24-karat gold — 99.9% pure. Pure gold is too soft for jewellery worn regularly. In India, 999 gold is primarily used for gold coins, bars, and ingots bought as investments or gifts. If a jeweller is selling you 24K gold jewellery for everyday wear, be cautious.
How to read the full hallmark on your jewellery
Under India’s mandatory BIS hallmarking system, a properly hallmarked gold piece carries three marks: the BIS triangular logo, the purity number (916, 750, etc.), and a 6-digit HUID code. The HUID can be verified on the official BIS Care app. For a full explanation, see our HUID guide and our guide to reading a gold jewellery bill.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 916 mean on gold jewellery?
916 means the gold is 91.6% pure, which is 22-karat gold. It’s the most common purity for Indian jewellery.
What is the difference between 916 and 750 gold?
916 (22K) is 91.6% pure and used for traditional Indian jewellery. 750 (18K) is 75% pure and harder — better suited for diamond-set pieces. 916 has a richer yellow colour; 750 is slightly lighter.
What does 585 mean on gold?
585 means 14-karat gold — 58.5% pure. Common in Western markets but rare in India. Expect it on imported pieces.
The bottom line
The three-digit hallmark number is a direct statement of gold purity. 999 is investment-grade pure gold. 916 is the everyday Indian jewellery standard (22K). 750 is 18K, preferred for diamond settings. 585 is 14K, mostly imported. Always check that the hallmark number matches what the jeweller claims — and verify the HUID on the BIS Care app before you pay.