When purchasing gold—whether for personal adornment, gifting, or investment—purity matters. It’s not just about beauty and shine; it’s about value, authenticity, and long-term trust. So, how can you be sure the gold you’re buying is genuinely pure?
Let’s walk through the key ways to verify gold purity before making a purchase.
1. Look for a Hallmark
A hallmark is your strongest assurance of gold authenticity. In the UK, hallmarks are issued by one of four official assay offices, the most renowned being the London Assay Office. These stamps guarantee that your piece has been independently tested and verified for its metal content.
A complete hallmark typically includes:
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The fineness mark (e.g. 916 for 22K or 999 for 24K)
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The assay office mark (such as the Leopard’s Head for London)
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The sponsor’s mark (identifying the brand or maker)
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A metal symbol, like a crown, indicating gold
At PureJewels, every piece of gold jewellery is hallmarked, ensuring complete transparency and trust with every purchase.
2. Check the Fineness Number
In addition to the hallmark, many gold items carry a fineness stamp—a numerical value that shows how much gold is present in a thousand parts of the alloy.
Here’s what to look for:
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999 – Pure gold (24K)
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916 – High-purity gold (22K)
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750 – Standard for 18K gold
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585 – 14K gold
This marking is often found inside ring bands, bracelet clasps, or necklace chains. It’s a quick way to spot purity, especially when you’re browsing pieces in-store or online.
3. Ask for Certification or Testing
In addition to visual stamps, trustworthy jewellers often provide certification of gold purity. Some use advanced tools like X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) to test the exact metal composition, particularly important for evaluating heirloom or secondhand gold.
Ask for:
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Purity or assay certificate
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Weight and metal breakdown
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Testing service availability
PureJewels can assist with gold testing for trade-ins and valuation purposes, offering both accuracy and assurance.
4. Choose a Reputable Jeweller
Perhaps the most important step is buying from a source you trust. Look for:
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Well-established jewellers with industry recognition
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Hallmarked items
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Transparent pricing and product information
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Positive customer reviews and aftercare service
At PureJewels, our reputation spans over five decades. Each piece we offer is crafted in 22K or 24K gold, hallmarked by the London Assay Office, and accompanied by expert guidance.
What to Avoid
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Gold without any hallmark or stamp
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Unverified online sellers without documentation
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Prices that seem too low for market rates—this could indicate low-purity or plated gold
In Summary
To ensure the gold you’re buying is pure:
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Look for a full UK hallmark
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Verify the fineness number (e.g., 916 or 999)
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Ask for certification or testing
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Buy from a reputable, transparent jeweller
With PureJewels, you can shop with confidence—knowing that each piece of gold jewellery is not only beautiful but genuinely pure and hallmarked.
