UAE Gold Purity & Hallmark Guide
Every genuine gold piece in the UAE carries a hallmark stamping its purity. Reading it tells you exactly what you’re paying for.
The hallmark numbers
- 999, 99.9% pure, 24K. Bars, coins, investment gold.
- 916, 91.7% pure, 22K. The UAE jewellery standard.
- 875, 87.5% pure, 21K. Popular in Gulf and South Asian designs.
- 750, 75% pure, 18K. Modern and stone-set pieces.
Why purity matters
Purity sets the metal value: higher karat, more gold per gram, higher price. It also affects durability, 24K is soft, 18K is hard-wearing. The rate tables on this site are split by exactly these purities.
Checking before you buy
- Ask to see the hallmark stamp on the piece itself, a legitimate shop shows it without hesitation.
- Match the stamp (999/916/875/750) to the karat you’re being charged for.
- Keep the invoice; it should state the karat and weight.
FAQ
What is 916 gold?
916 is the hallmark for 91.7% purity, exactly 22 karat, the UAE jewellery standard.
Is 999 gold the same as 24K?
Yes, 999 means 99.9% pure, the standard for 24K bars and coins.
Purity translated into today’s price
A hallmark tells you how much gold is in each gram. The table below turns that straight into money at the live rate. It is the fastest way to see what purity is worth.
| Karat | Today (gram) | Yesterday | Change | Tola | Ounce | Kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 512.11 | 512.01 | ▲ 0.10 | 5,973.20 | 15,928.54 | 512,115 |
| 22K | 469.91 | 469.81 | ▲ 0.10 | 5,480.92 | 14,615.78 | 469,908 |
| 21K | 448.55 | 448.46 | ▲ 0.09 | 5,231.79 | 13,951.43 | 448,549 |
| 18K | 384.47 | 384.39 | ▲ 0.08 | 4,484.39 | 11,958.37 | 384,470 |
All prices in AED. Indicative reference rates from the international spot price at the fixed AED peg of 3.6725. Making charges and VAT are added by retailers.
Reading a hallmark in practice
- 999 is 24K, the purest gold sold, used for bars and coins.
- 916 is 22K, the main jewellery standard across the UAE.
- 875 is 21K, the Gulf everyday favourite.
- 750 is 18K, used for diamond and designer pieces.
Marks are small and often on a clasp or inner band. Ask the shop to point the stamp out. A reputable jeweller will do so without hesitation.
Check the value before you pay
Once you know the karat, price it with our gold calculator. If a quote is far above metal plus a normal making charge, ask why. For resale, see the used gold price page.