Quick answer
Number stamps show parts per thousand of pure gold (585 = 58.5%, or 14K). Letters like GF, GP and HGE mean the item is only plated or filled.
Number stamps
Number stamps show how many parts per thousand are pure gold.
| Stamp | Karat | Gold content |
|---|---|---|
| 999 | 24K | 99.9% |
| 916 | 22K | 91.6% |
| 750 | 18K | 75% |
| 585 or 583 | 14K | about 58% |
| 417 | 10K | 41.7% |
| 375 | 9K | 37.5% |
Older US pieces are sometimes stamped 583 instead of 585. Both mean 14K.
Karat stamps
US jewelry is often stamped with the karat directly: 10K, 14K, 18K, sometimes with “KT” or “KP” (karat plumb, meaning the full karat).
Marks that mean it’s not solid gold
- GF or 1/20 14K GF: gold-filled. A layer of gold bonded to a base metal.
- GP or GEP: gold-plated or gold electroplate.
- HGE: heavy gold electroplate.
- RGP: rolled gold plate.
- Vermeil: gold-plated sterling silver.
These are worth little or nothing as gold scrap.
When stamps are wrong
Stamps can wear off, be hard to read, or be fake. Some imported jewelry is stamped with a higher karat than it is. Reputable buyers test gold before paying. See how to test gold at home.
Look up any stamp with the stamp decoder.
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