Most people have looked at the inside of a gold ring or the clasp of a necklace and seen small stamped numbers or letters — 14K, 585, 750, 916 — and wondered what they mean. These markings are actually a precise and internationally standardized system for indicating how much gold is in a piece of jewellery. Understanding them can give you a solid idea of what your pieces are worth before you even walk into a gold buyers office.
This guide, from the team at Five Star Gold Exchange in Coquitlam, BC, explains every common marking you are likely to encounter in Canadian households — from modern North American pieces to antique European items to high-karat South Asian jewellery.
The Karat System (North America)
In Canada and the United States, gold purity is most commonly expressed in karats. 24 karat gold is pure gold (99.9%). Lower karats indicate the proportion of gold mixed with other metals like copper, silver, or zinc.
| Karat Stamp | Purit | Gold Content | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10K | 417 parts per 1,000 | 41.7% gold | Most common in Canada/US |
| 14K | 585 parts per 1,000 | 58.5% gold | Popular in North America |
| 18K | 750 parts per 1,000 | 75.0% gold | Common in Europe & fine jewellery |
| 22K | 916 parts per 1,000 | 91.6% gold | Common in South Asian gold |
| 24K | 999 parts per 1,000 | 99.9% gold | Pure gold — coins, Chinese gold |
Many European and internationally made pieces use a three-digit number instead of a karat stamp. This number represents parts per thousand of pure gold. Once you know the equivalents, these are easy to read:
Not every piece that looks like gold is solid gold. Gold-plated jewellery has a thin layer of gold over a base metal, and its precious metal value is minimal. Common stamps that indicate plating include:
If you see any of these markings — or no marking at all — it does not necessarily mean the item has no value. Bring it in. We test all items and will tell you exactly what you have, at no cost.
Older pieces, pieces made in certain countries, or handmade items sometimes have no stamps at all. This does not mean the piece is fake or worthless. At Five Star Gold Exchange, we use professional acid testing to determine the gold content of any unmarked piece. The test is quick, accurate, and free.
Gold jewellery from Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, and Chinese traditions is frequently 22K or 24K — significantly higher purity than the typical North American 10K or 14K piece. A 22K Indian bangle set that might look modest could contain several thousand dollars worth of gold at todays prices.
If you have high-karat jewellery from these traditions, it is especially important to see a specialist rather than a general pawn shop. Many pawn shops are not equipped to accurately assess high-karat gold and may significantly undervalue it. At Five Star Gold Exchange, we evaluate these pieces regularly and understand their true precious metal value.
Reading the stamp on your gold gives you useful context, but the final value depends on the exact weight of each category, the current live spot price, and the buyers margin. At Five Star Gold Exchange, we show you every step of the calculation so you can verify the offer makes sense.
Our live buying prices for 10K, 14K, 18K, and 22K gold are always posted on our website at fsge.ca. You can check them before you visit to get a rough estimate of what your items might be worth.
Five Star Gold Exchange — Coquitlam, BC | By Appointment Only
#230 – 1140 Austin Ave, Coquitlam, BC | View Live Prices at fsge.ca