Gold Jewelry Stamps and What They Mean
Every gold stamp explained — from karat marks to plating codes — so you can tell exactly what your jewelry is made of and what it's worth.
You found a small stamp on your jewelry. Maybe it says 585, 750, 14K, or something else you don't recognize. That stamp tells you exactly what your piece is made of and how much gold it contains.
This guide covers every gold stamp you're likely to find, what each one means, and how to figure out what your jewelry is worth. Whether you're looking at a ring, necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings, the stamp is the fastest way to know if it's real gold — and if so, how pure it is.
Gold Purity Stamps
Gold purity is measured two ways: the karat system (K) used mainly in the United States, and the millesimal fineness system (three-digit numbers) used in Europe and much of the world. Both tell you the same thing — what percentage of the item is pure gold. The rest is made up of alloy metals like copper, silver, or zinc that add strength and durability.
For each karat, you can calculate the approximate value per gram by multiplying the purity percentage by the current gold spot price per gram. Use our gold price per gram calculator at MeltValue.com to get an instant answer with live pricing.
Gold Plating and Filled Stamps
These stamps mean the item is not solid gold. If you see any of these markings, the piece has a base metal core with a gold coating or layer on the outside. This is the most important distinction to understand — it's the difference between a piece worth hundreds of dollars and one worth almost nothing at melt.
A thin layer of gold (typically 0.5–2.5 microns) applied over a base metal. Minimal gold value.
A thicker layer of gold mechanically bonded to a base metal. By US law, the gold layer must be at least 1/20th (5%) of the item's total weight. Has some gold value, but much less than solid gold.
Similar to gold filled but with a thinner gold layer — typically 1/30th to 1/40th of the total weight.
A thicker plating than standard GP, but still electroplated — not mechanically bonded like gold filled.
Means the gold layer is 1/20th of the total weight and is 14 karat gold. This is the most common gold-filled marking you'll find.
Gold plated items have almost no melt value. Gold filled items have some value, but it's a fraction of what solid gold is worth. If you see GP, GF, or GEP on your jewelry, your item is not solid gold. For a deeper comparison, read our guide on gold plated vs solid gold.
Other Letters You Might See on Gold Jewelry
Karat Plumb — the gold content is guaranteed to be at least the stated karat, not rounded up.
Same as KP. The P after the number means "plumb" — the gold is exactly 14 karat or higher.
The chemical symbol for gold. Sometimes stamped alongside purity marks for additional identification.
Likely gold-plated sterling silver, also called vermeil. The base is silver (925), with a gold coating on top.
Not gold at all — this is platinum. See our platinum and palladium stamp guide.
How to Find the Stamp on Your Jewelry
Stamps are intentionally small and placed where they don't affect the appearance of the piece. You might need a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe to read them. Here's where to look:
- Inside of rings — on the inner surface of the band
- Near the clasp on necklaces and bracelets
- On the post or back of earrings
- On the bail (the loop that connects a pendant to the chain)
- On the tongue of a brooch or pin clasp
What to Do If There's No Stamp
Not all gold jewelry is stamped. Older pieces, handmade jewelry, and items from countries without stamping requirements may have no markings at all. This doesn't mean it's not gold.
If your piece has no stamp, you have a few options:
- Take it to a jeweler for an acid test — they'll scratch a small area and apply testing acid to determine the karat
- Use an XRF analyzer — a handheld device that reads the metal composition instantly without damaging the piece. Most coin dealers and many jewelers have one
- Try the magnet test — gold is not magnetic, so if the piece sticks to a strong magnet, it's not gold. But passing the magnet test alone doesn't confirm gold, since many base metals are also non-magnetic
For a complete walkthrough of gold testing methods, see our guide on how to tell if gold is real.
What Is Your Gold Jewelry Worth?
Now that you know the karat, you can calculate the melt value. The formula is straightforward: weigh the item in grams, multiply by the purity percentage, and multiply by the current gold price per gram.
Example:
A 14K gold ring weighing 5 grams contains 5 × 0.585 = 2.925 grams of pure gold. Multiply that by the current gold price per gram to get the melt value.
Or skip the math entirely — use the scrap gold melt value calculator at MeltValue.com to get an instant answer with live pricing.
If you're looking to sell gold jewelry, US Gold and Coin buys gold jewelry of all karats with free appraisals and same-day payment.
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