916, 750 and 585 Gold Hallmark Meaning

Quick answer: 916 is 91.6% gold by mass and is commonly paired with 22K; 750 is 75% and corresponds to 18K; 585 is 58.5% and is commonly used for 14K. These figures describe fineness. A number stamped on jewellery, by itself, does not identify who tested it or prove that an official hallmarking process took place.

Karat and fineness are related, but not written the same way

Karat expresses gold content on a 24-part scale. Fineness expresses it in parts per thousand. For example, 18K is 18/24, or 75% gold, which is written as 750 fineness. The World Gold Council describes these as common conventions; recognized grades and tolerances can differ by market.

• 916: 916 parts per thousand, or 91.6%; commonly labelled 22K.
• 750: 750 parts per thousand, or 75%; 18K.
• 585: 585 parts per thousand, or 58.5%; commonly labelled 14K. Exact 14/24 arithmetic is about 58.33%, so follow the stated standard and jurisdiction rather than treating every number as interchangeable.
• 999: 999 parts per thousand, or 99.9%; commonly described as fine gold or 24K.

What the number means for weight

For a 10-gram piece made entirely from a 916 gold alloy, 10 x 0.916 gives 9.16 grams of fine-gold equivalent. This is a calculation from the stated fineness, not a test of the piece. It applies only to the gold-bearing alloy: stones and other non-gold parts need to be accounted for separately when their weight is known.

Does a fineness number prove a hallmark?

No. A fineness number says what gold content is being stated; it does not, on its own, show which authority or assay office tested the item, who submitted it, or whether a particular country's hallmarking rules were followed. Marking and verification systems vary. Ask the seller to identify the marking system and explain any other marks rather than relying on a number alone.

Nepal's Bureau of Standards and Metrology lists NS 534 as a specification for fineness and marking of gold and gold-alloy jewellery or artefacts. That catalogue entry is useful context, but it is not a test result for an individual ornament. Do not assume that a mark used under another country's scheme automatically establishes Nepalese verification.

Use purity correctly when comparing a quote

Compare the same weight unit and base gold rate, then account for the stated fineness. Keep that metal-value comparison separate from making charges, jarti or wastage, stones, other non-gold parts, and any applicable tax; shop practices and invoice formats can differ. Ask for a written breakdown that identifies the weight and purity used.

Use the GoldNepal karat calculator with the rate and weight from the quote, and check the current benchmark on the Nepal gold-rate page. The calculation helps compare the metal-value basis; it is not a final jewellery price or an authenticity test.

Sources

For the general relationship between karat and fineness, see the World Gold Council guide to gold jewellery purity. For Nepal context, see the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology standards register, which lists NS 534.