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.
Who regulates hallmarking in the UAE
The Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology sets the national purity standards. Dubai Central Laboratory tests and stamps a large share of the local trade. Their oversight is why UAE gold carries a strong reputation regionally.
Retailers in Dubai also operate under the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group framework. Inspections and mystery shopping check that a stamped karat matches the metal. A shop selling under its stamped purity faces real penalties.
Reading the full mark, not just the number
A complete hallmark carries more than the fineness figure. You should be able to find the purity number, a maker or sponsor mark, and often an assay mark. Together they trace the piece back to a responsible party.
Marks sit where they will not wear away. Look inside a ring shank, on a clasp, or on the bar of a pendant. Ask staff to point the stamp out under a loupe if you cannot see it.
Fineness numbers and their karat equivalents
- 999 is 24 carat, 99.9% pure, used for bars, coins and pure investment pieces.
- 916 is 22 carat, 91.6% to 91.7% pure, the dominant jewellery standard across the Gulf and South Asia.
- 875 is 21 carat, 87.5% pure, the everyday Khaleeji favourite for worn sets.
- 750 is 18 carat, 75% pure, standard for diamond settings and designer work.
- 585 is 14 carat, 58.5% pure, uncommon in the UAE but seen on imported pieces.
How purity is verified in practice
Testing runs from quick and rough to slow and definitive. A touchstone acid test gives an indication in seconds and marks the piece slightly. An XRF analyser reads surface composition without damage and is now common in larger shops.
Fire assay remains the reference method and destroys the sample. Laboratories use it to certify bars and settle disputes. For a normal purchase, an XRF reading plus a proper hallmark is sufficient assurance.
Why plating and filled gold are different
Gold plated items carry a microscopic layer over base metal. Gold filled pieces bond a thicker layer mechanically. Neither has meaningful bullion value, and neither should carry a fineness hallmark.
If a price looks far below the metal value for the stated weight, purity is the first thing to question. Compare against the live per gram rate before buying. Real 916 or 875 gold cannot be sold far below its metal content.
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 | 506.13 | 514.59 | ▼ 8.46 | 5,903.40 | 15,742.39 | 506,130 |
| 22K | 464.42 | 472.18 | ▼ 7.76 | 5,416.86 | 14,444.97 | 464,416 |
| 21K | 443.31 | 450.72 | ▼ 7.41 | 5,170.64 | 13,788.38 | 443,307 |
| 18K | 379.98 | 386.33 | ▼ 6.35 | 4,431.98 | 11,818.61 | 379,977 |
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.