916 or 999? Gold purity explained

Walk down any street in Little India and you will see two numbers again and again: 916 and 999. They appear on price boards, on receipts and, if you look closely, stamped inside rings and on bangle clasps. Here is what they mean, and why they matter when you buy or sell gold.

Karats and fineness: two ways to say the same thing

Gold purity is described in two ways.

• Karats (K) divide gold into 24 parts. 24K is, in principle, all gold. 22K means 22 parts gold out of 24.
• Fineness gives the gold content in parts per thousand. It is the number you see stamped on jewellery.

Put them side by side and the numbers line up:

Karat	Fineness	Gold content
24K	999 or 999.9	99.9% or more
22K	916	91.6%
18K	750	75%

So 916 and 22K describe the same gold: 916 parts in every thousand are pure gold, and the remaining 84 parts are other metals, usually copper and silver.

What "916" stamped on a piece means

A 916 stamp is the maker's or shop's statement that the item is 22K gold. It is a claim about the metal, not a price, and it is worth checking for when you buy. You will usually find it:

• inside a ring or bangle,
• on the clasp or a small tag near the clasp of a chain,
• on the back of a pendant.

Alongside it you may see a maker's or shop mark. A reputable shop should be able to tell you the purity of every piece, show you the stamp, and write the purity and weight on your receipt.

Hallmarks in Singapore

In some countries, independent hallmarking of gold jewellery is compulsory. In Singapore, hallmarking is voluntary. The Singapore Assay Office offers an independent assaying and hallmarking service that manufacturers, traders and retailers can choose to use, and it is the accredited hallmarking laboratory in Singapore.

What this means for you:

• A piece without an independent hallmark is not automatically suspect; many honest pieces carry only the purity stamp.
• Your best protection is a clear receipt showing the purity (for example, 916), the weight in grams and the price, from a shop that will stand behind it.
• If you want extra assurance for a significant purchase, ask whether the piece has been independently assayed.

Why Indian jewellery is usually 916

Pure 24K gold is beautiful, but it is soft. It scratches, bends and wears quickly, which is a problem for bangles that are worn every day or chains that take the weight of a pendant.

Adding a small amount of other metals makes 22K gold much harder while keeping the rich, warm yellow that Indian jewellery is known for. It also allows fine detail: filigree, temple motifs and intricate settings hold their shape far better in 916 than in 999.

That balance of colour, value and durability is why 916 has long been the standard for Indian gold jewellery, in Singapore as elsewhere. Lower purities such as 18K are stronger again, but they look paler and are more common in contemporary and gem-set pieces.

Where 24K belongs: bars, coins and some jewellery

24K gold (999 or 999.9) is mostly bought as gold bars and coins. Because they are not worn, softness is not a problem, and buyers value the purity itself.

Some 24K jewellery is made too, especially simple pieces and gifts, but it needs gentler care.

There is also a tax difference in Singapore. At the time of writing, gold bars, ingots and wafers that meet the criteria for investment precious metals are exempt from GST, while jewellery is not. We explain the criteria in how gold prices are set in Singapore.

Why purity affects price

When you buy or sell gold, the value of the metal depends on two things: its weight and its purity. A gram of 916 contains 0.916 g of pure gold, so it is priced differently from a gram of 999.

This is why shops publish their rates per gram and by purity. When you compare prices, always compare the same purity: a 916 rate against another 916 rate, never against a 999 rate.

For jewellery, the price you pay also includes the work that went into making the piece. We explain how the pieces fit together in how gold prices are set in Singapore, and what happens when you sell in selling or trading in old gold.

A quick checklist before you buy

• Look for the purity stamp (916 for 22K, 999 for 24K).
• Ask for the weight in grams and check it on the receipt.
• Ask what the price includes: metal value and any workmanship or making charges.
• Keep your receipt; you will want it if you ever sell, exchange or redesign the piece.

Visit us

Minora Jewels is a family-owned Indian gold jeweller at 142 Dunlop Street in Little India, serving Singapore since 1995. We sell 916 and 24K jewellery and gold bars, and we are happy to show you the stamp on any piece and explain what you are paying for. We publish our 916 selling, buy-in and trade-in rates every day on today's gold rate. Plan your visit: we are open daily, 10.30am to 9.30pm.