What Does 916 Mean on Gold?
Stamps describe metal content; they are not a buy/sell quote. When in doubt, test with a jeweler or assay service.
91.6% pure gold
The stamp tells you purity; the scale tells you weight. With those two inputs, you can benchmark melt before you accept any offer.
Common confusion points
- Stamps can be partial or mirrored; a worn punch can turn a 585 into something that looks like 588 or 535.
- Some pieces combine parts (e.g., clasp vs chain) with different karats—test more than one spot if value is high.
Similar / easily-confused stamps
This stamp corresponds to 22K — about 91.6% gold content by weight.
Common in: India, Southeast Asia, Middle East. Typical items: Traditional jewelry, Wedding jewelry, Coins.
This fineness shows up often in pieces sold for or imported from India, Southeast Asia, Middle East—always match the stamp to what you actually weigh.
Illustrative: at the USD spot used on this site, 10 g of 22K gold has a rough melt around $1,329.00 (not an offer).
Verification tips
- XRF is the quickest non-destructive test; acid tests are common but depend on operator skill.
- If the piece is plated, you may see marks like GP, GF, HGE—those are not solid-gold fineness stamps.
- Look in high-wear areas (inside rings, near clasps). Worn stamps can be incomplete or misread.
Gold Value Calculator
Adjust this price to project a future value. 24K per troy oz.
Total gold value$1329.00
Current 22K price • $132.90/gram • $4133.66/oz
Formula: weight × karat multiplier × spot price. 14K = 0.585, 18K = 0.75, 10K = 0.417.
Same USD spot basis as the estimates on this page. Adjust weight, unit, or karat to explore scenarios.
916 gold — melt by weight (USD, reference)
Same spot basis as the calculator above. Full metal value only—not stones or labor.
Where you'll see the 916 stamp
Check inside ring shanks, near necklace and bracelet clasps, on earring posts or backs, and on small tags. Stamps can be tiny—use bright light or a loupe if the punch is worn.
How to verify a stamp
Stamps can wear down or be wrong. A jeweler can do an acid scratch test or XRF; a magnet won't stick to solid gold, but it isn't proof of purity on its own. For high-value pieces, use a buyer you trust or an independent assay.
Related links
FAQ
- What does 916 mean on gold?
- 916 is a fineness stamp. For gold jewelry it means 22K (91.6% gold content in the alloy). 91.6% pure gold
- Is 916 the same as 22K?
- Yes—916 on gold corresponds to 22K purity. Regional stamping styles differ, but the gold fraction is the same idea.
- Does a 916 stamp guarantee real gold?
- Not always. Stamps can be worn, incomplete, or misapplied, and counterfeit marks exist. If value is significant, confirm with a jeweler (XRF) or a trusted buyer before you sell.