"What Do 916, 875, and 750 Mean on Your Gold Jewelry? Decoding UAE Hallmarks"

A customer once brought me a 'gold' bracelet she'd owned for 5 years—no hallmark. When we tested it? Only 40% gold content. She'd been wearing fake gold worth a fraction of what she paid.

Here's how to make sure that never happens to you.

A symbol inside your ring or on your necklace clasp?

These are known as hallmarks. They serve as the "passport" of your jewelry, certifying its purity and origin.

In the UAE, these markings are strictly regulated to protect consumers from fraud.

916 (22K Gold) = 91.6% Pure Gold

Look: Softer, rich yellow color
Behavior: Bends easily—great for traditional designs
Popular in: India, Pakistan, Southeast Asia, UAE traditional jewelry
Best for: Investment-grade pieces, cultural/wedding jewelry

875 (21K Gold) = 87.5% Pure Gold

Look: Balanced yellow tone
Behavior: Good durability for everyday wear
Popular in: Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain)
Best for: Daily-wear traditional pieces

750 (18K Gold) = 75% Pure Gold

Look: Slightly paler yellow (more alloy)
Behavior: Harder metal—holds stones securely
Popular in: Western designs, designer jewelry
Best for: Diamond/gemstone settings, engagement rings

585 (14K Gold) = 58.5% Pure Gold

Look: More subtle gold color
Behavior: Very durable
Popular in: Vintage pieces, everyday jewelry
Best for: Active lifestyle jewelry, children's jewelry

In the UAE, all gold jewelry must bear an official hallmark. Dubai uses a falcon head stamp, while other emirates have their own symbols (Abu Dhabi uses a palm tree).

These marks confirm the piece was tested by government-authorized assayers, guaranteeing it meets the stated purity. This system has been mandatory since 2008.

Rings: Inside the band
Necklaces: On or near the clasp mechanism
Bracelets: On or near the clasp
Earrings: Behind the earring post or on the back
Pendants: On the bail (loop that connects to chain)

🔢 Common Purity Stamps:

The Importance Of The "Falcon" or Dubai Hallmark:

🔍 Where To Find Hallmarks On Your Jewelry

Sales Insider Tip:

Never purchase gold jewelry without a hallmark in the UAE. Even if the gold is genuine, the absence of a hallmark complicates resale or trade-in. Always verify the hallmark before completing your purchase.

🚩 RED FLAGS (Walk Away If You See These)

✅ Your Buying Checklist:

Before you purchase:

Locate the hallmark (use magnification if needed)
Verify the purity matches what the jeweler claims
Confirm the UAE city mark is present (falcon/palm/crescent)
Request an invoice stating the karat weight and gram weight
Ask if the store provides re-testing if the stamp wears off over time

Bottom line:

Many customers lose thousands on buyback because their gold had no hallmark—even when the gold itself was real. Banks, pawnshops, and even most jewelers won't buy unmarked gold at full value.

Some refuse entirely.

The hallmark isn't just about authenticity—it's about liquidity.

A hallmark isn't optional—it's your only guarantee. If a jeweler says "Trust me, it's real gold" but won't show you the stamp, walk away.