PURIX
AI characterWhat does the stamp show?
Jewellery and investment products carry small stamps, often struck on the inside. The stamp shows the proportion of pure metal in the gold; sometimes it is written as a number (916, 750, 585), sometimes as a karat mark (22K, 18K, 14K).12 For example, a 916 stamp usually stands for 22 karat pieces.2
Stamps are very small; to read them, you can use your phone camera zoomed in.1
Why is a stamp alone not enough?
The sources give a clear warning here: pieces without a stamp should always raise suspicion; but to make a piece look more convincing, fraudsters can also put karat stamps such as 22K or 916 on fake pieces.1 A fake piece may have no stamp at all, or a fake stamp may be used.2 That is why, when checking the karat, looking at the stamp alone is not considered enough.2
Also, a karat stamp put on by the maker itself does not replace a measurement made by an independent body; a maker's stamp is a statement by whoever made the piece.3
What else is checked besides the stamp?
| What is checked? | What to look out for? |
|---|---|
| Karat stamp | Is there one, and can it be read? A piece without a stamp should raise suspicion.1 |
| Product code | It should not be worn away; it should match the stamp.2 |
| Purchase document | The product code should appear on the purchase document.2 |
| Completeness | Even if the karat information looks right, be careful if the code or document information is missing.2 |
Stamp, code and document are read together
When the stamp information, the product code and the document are assessed together, a more informed decision is made.2 If one of them is missing or they do not match each other, the piece should be approached with caution.
The safest way: measuring
The stamp and the document are information given about the piece; the karat itself is determined by measuring. Three methods are common at the jeweller's: the touchstone, the acid test and XRF analysis. In short: karat isn’t guessed. It’s measured.
FAQ
Is gold marked 916 definitely 22 karat?
No, not definitely. A 916 stamp usually stands for 22 karat; but this stamp can be put on fake pieces too. For a definite result, the karat is measured.
Is gold without a stamp fake?
Not always; but a piece without a stamp should raise suspicion. The karat of such a piece should be checked by measuring it.
How do I read the stamp?
The stamp is usually on the inside of the jewellery and is very small. You can read it by zooming in with your phone camera.
What should I look at besides the stamp?
The product code and the purchase document. The product code should appear on the document and match the stamp on the piece.
Karat isn’t guessed. It’s measured.
Try the live analysis to see how a measurement looks on screen, or request a quote for your business.