DR.GOLD | Luxury Gold Buying Specialist Philippines

The tiny stamps and marks on gold jewelry tell a story — about purity, origin, manufacturer, and sometimes even the era in which a piece was made. Learning to read these markings helps you understand what you own before selling.

Purity Marks

The most common marks indicate gold purity:

### Karat Marks

**24K** or **24 Karat**: Pure gold (99.9%)

**18K** or **18 Karat**: 75% gold

**14K** or **14 Karat**: 58.3% gold

**10K** or **10 Karat**: 41.7% gold

### Percentage Marks

**999**: 99.9% pure gold

**750**: 75% gold (equivalent to 18K)

**585**: 58.5% gold (equivalent to 14K)

**417**: 41.7% gold (equivalent to 10K)

### Regional Variations

**.750** or **750** is common in European and Asian jewelry

**18K** is standard in the Philippines and many Asian countries

**14K** is common in the United States

**9K** (37.5% gold) is legal in some countries but rare in the Philippines

Maker's Marks

Jewelry manufacturers stamp their pieces with identifying marks:

Luxury brands have distinctive logos (Cartier, Tiffany, Bulgari)

Individual artisans may use initials or symbols

Manufacturer codes help trace origin and authenticity

Hallmarks

In some countries, official assay offices stamp gold with hallmarks that indicate:

Purity (verified by testing)

Manufacturer

Year of production

Country of origin

What If There Are No Marks?

Unmarked gold is common, especially in:

Traditional or handmade jewelry

Older pieces where marks have worn away

Pieces from regions where marking is not mandatory

Gold bars or raw gold

Absence of marks does not mean a piece is not genuine — it simply requires professional testing.

Fake Marks

Unfortunately, counterfeit gold sometimes carries fake marks:

Stamps may be superficial or poorly executed

Numbers may not correspond to actual purity

Brand marks may be misspelled or misaligned

Professional testing is the only reliable way to verify gold purity regardless of markings.

DR.GOLD's Verification Process

During our private consultations, we:

Examine all markings under magnification

Verify consistency between marks and actual properties

Conduct electronic and acid testing to confirm purity

Research maker's marks when relevant

Provide a complete assessment regardless of whether marks are present

Understanding your gold's markings is useful, but never rely on them alone. Contact DR.GOLD for professional verification and valuation.