916 Gold and the 916 Hallmark in Jewellery
Gold jewellery features a hallmark to denote the purity, usually 9ct or 18 carat Gold. For example, 375 and 750 appear frequently in our jewellery commissions. On occasion, we have Gold jewellery hallmarked 916. The appearance of 916 Gold sometimes causes confusion.
Just like some other unusual gold purities (such as Gold stamped 800) the markings for 22 carat Gold are less well known.
What is 916 Gold?
(Quick Answer)
916 gold is 22 carat gold, meaning it contains 91.6% pure gold and 8.4% alloy metals. It is commonly used in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Asian jewellery, valued for its rich yellow colour and high gold content.
Gold stamped with 916 denotes 22 carat Gold. Compared to 18ct Gold (75% pure Gold – stamped 750) 22ct Gold contains 91.6% pure Gold. A higher Gold content results in an intense golden-yellow, rich colouration. As a result, 22ct Gold makes a popular choice for Indian jewellery buyers. By comparison, the lighter colour of 18ct Yellow Gold makes a popular choice in the UK.
A comparison of popular gold types
| Gold Type | Purity | Stamp | Colour | Durability | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24ct | 99.9% | 999 | Deep yellow | Very soft | Investment |
| 22ct | 91.6% | 916 | Rich yellow | Soft | Traditional jewellery |
| 18ct | 75% | 750 | Balanced yellow | Strong | Fine jewellery |
| 9ct | 37.5% | 375 | Pale yellow | Very strong | Everyday wear |
View pre-owned jewellery designs, in our cherished collection, including a selection of 22 carat gold rings.
Which is better – 18ct Gold or 22ct Gold
Although very durable, 18ct Gold offers a less malleable and more suitable for setting diamonds. Most jewellery in the UK is created in 18ct Gold or 9ct Gold. The internal hallmark ensures the item has been tested at the Assay Office for fineness. As a result, buyers have reassurance that the metal description is accurate. Any precious metal can feature a simple stamp. For example, many Platinum items include PLT 950 and PT950 in addition to a legitimate hallmark. Any such stamps signify the purity of the metal as we have already noted.
How heavy is 22ct Gold?
22ct Yellow Gold is approximately 1.15 times heavier than 18ct Gold. Visit our precious metal weight conversion chart for more help on converting precious metal weight.
The following video shows one of our heavyweight pre-loved gold chains in 22ct Gold.
The appearance of 22ct gold compared to 9ct gold
22 carat gold appears darker, and richer in colour compared to 9ct gold. By comparison, 9ct gold appears lighter and paler. In the example below, two rings are shown—a 9ct gold signet ring on the left, alongside the same remodelled ring design made in 22ct yellow gold.
Does 22ct gold tarnish?
Put simply, pure gold does not tarnish. Although all golds and precious metals will change colour and dull down over time, a simple professional clean and refinish will bring back its brightness and shine. Because of its fineness, gold can be easily worked with and reshaped if required.
The difference between 999ct gold and 916ct
In comparison, 999ct (24-carat) gold is the highest quality of fineness. 100% fine gold is very tricky to achieve due to the compromise in purity and it’s softness. As a result is not recommended for daily wear e.g engagement rings, wedding rings, bracelets.
Gold Hallmarks
Determining the Value of a 22-Carat Gold Wedding Ring?
If you need to know how much a 22-carat gold wedding ring is worth, here’s how. Use this straightforward process. Begin by weighing the wedding ring to ascertain its gram weight. Next, refer to a reputable bullion website to find the current scrap metal value for 22-carat gold. Finally, calculate the ring’s value by multiplying its gram weight by the prevailing scrap metal price.
How old is your ring? Hallmarks and Gold Date Stamps
An interesting feature of some older jewellery items is a gold date stamp, which is no longer compulsory for UK hallmarks. For example, I photographed one of our pre-owned wedding rings to show the gold date stamp inside the ring. This denotes the year the hallmark applied to the ring. We cross reference the letter against a list of gold date stamps to determine the year. In this instance, the year 1960 appears represented by the letter “L” applied in a specific letter style.
Yes. 916 gold is genuine 22 carat gold, containing 91.6% pure gold.
916 gold is culturally preferred in countries like India because:
It has a higher gold content
It holds investment value
It has a richer yellow colour
Not usually. Because it is softer than 18ct gold, it is less suitable for diamond settings and everyday wear.
Yes, per gram, because it contains more pure gold. However, jewellery pricing also depends on design and craftsmanship.
Yes. Due to its higher purity, 22ct gold is softer and more prone to scratches than 18ct or 9ct gold.
Serendipity Diamonds buys 916 Gold, especially items with the associated hallmarks.
About Mark Johnson
Mark founded Isle of Wight jewellers Serendipity Diamonds in 2007 after a career in the polished diamonds industry. Today he works in the Serendipity showroom, helping clients with jewellery, creating handmade designs and updating their two jewellery websites SerendipityDiamonds.com and Isle-of-Wight-Jewellery.co.uk
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