Have you noticed how some of your gold jewellery seems to have something marked or engraved on it? You may typically see it will have a series of letters and numbers, which, at first glance, might not seem like it means anything substantial. However, there is more to those markings than just a random arrangement of characters on your jewellery. In fact, these markings are known as hallmarks, indicators of that particular jewellery’s gold purity as assigned by an authorised assay office that tests the purity of various precious metals like gold. Think of the jewellery hallmark as similar to the engravings you commonly see on gold bars.
What is 916 Hallmark Gold?
In essence, 916 hallmark gold refers to any 22-karat gold; the number “916” refers to its gold purity of 91.6 per cent gold, with the remaining 8.4 per cent composition containing other metals (such as copper) included as alloys to improve the jewellery’s durability. The hallmark found on 916 hallmark gold will indicate that its quality is indeed 916 gold and also provides additional information related to its purity, origin and even its date of manufacture.
While pure gold (or 999 gold) is still highly coveted, pure gold is not ideal for jewellery as it is too soft and can easily be damaged or tarnished from regular use. You can find a variety of other gold karat weights with different gold purities, including 14 and 18-karat gold, which are 58.33 per cent pure gold and 75 per cent pure gold, respectively. These are also excellent picks for durable everyday jewellery thanks to their higher alloy content, enhancing their overall durability and unique colours (like 18-karat rose gold, with a 25 per cent copper content to give its distinctive rosy hue) that help them stand out.
Even so, 916 gold remains an equally popular choice due to its higher gold content and impressive durability, which lend it an attractive quality matched by its high market price. Owning 916 hallmark gold also adds an air of luxury and stature, as the hallmark proves that you are in possession of a priceless statement piece verified by an authorised entity.
Is Hallmarking Important?
There are several reasons why gold hallmarking is such a pivotal element in the industry, especially when it comes to ensuring consumers are indeed buying actual gold jewellery and not imitations sold at exorbitant prices.
Quality Assurance
The deceiving appearance of fake gold can make one apprehensive about buying gold from a jewellery store, so hallmarking provides a sense of security as it is an indicator of certified quality. The hallmark ensures that when you buy 916 hallmark gold, you receive jewellery with the levels of purity as stated on the hallmark—no more and no less than that. As such, it helps to instil credibility in that gold jewellery (and the store you bought it from) and ensures you are satisfied with your purchase.
In Singapore, the Singapore Assay Office (SAO) has over 40 years of experience in hallmarking and is recognised by the London Bullion Market Association, which is reserved only for institutions with the highest level of assaying expertise and standards. That already speaks volumes to the guarantee you are getting with your 916 hallmark gold.
Builds Trust
Hallmarked jewellery also allows jewellery boutiques to differentiate themselves from their competition by selling certified gold jewellery that meets rigid standards. As a result, it helps to build trust between buyers like yourself and jewellery stores, as it indicates that they value certification, which thus tells you that you are indeed buying genuine gold jewellery.
Higher Resale Value
Given that the hallmark is a symbol of certified quality and authenticity, you can get a decent resale or trade-in value based on the jewellery’s gold purity and prevailing gold pricing standards.
How to Check 916 Hallmark Gold’s Authenticity
Per the Singapore Bullion Market Association, hallmarked jewellery will have a hallmark arrangement like this:
The left hallmark is called the jeweller’s mark and indicates the store that you bought the 916 hallmark gold jewellery from or its manufacturer. The middle icon is the symbol of the Singapore Assay Office and denotes that the gold jewellery has been certified; you may also find a different assay office’s icon engraved, which indicates it was verified elsewhere. To the right is the indicator that signifies the gold jewellery’s purity; in this case, this would be 916 hallmark gold. The purity may sometimes be displayed in karats instead of its purity (22-karat, or 22K, in this case).
A jeweller is your best point of reference if you need help verifying the hallmark, as they will have the knowledge and the tools required to make a proper verification.
Quality Assured with Merlin Goldsmith’s Exquisite Collection
Merlin Goldsmith is here to assist you with all your gold shopping needs. We exclusively sell hallmarked gold jewellery and guarantee that all our pieces are authentic gold pieces. With years of experience in the industry, we aspire to be Singapore's No. 1 gold jewellery store. Visit our store today to take advantage of our great rates and excellent customer service. We are keen to help you with your gold shopping!