Gold Hallmarks in Dubai & UAE — What 916, 750, 999 Actually Mean (2026)
The complete guide to gold hallmarks in the UAE — what every stamp on your jewellery means, why they matter for price and authenticity, and how to read them before buying in Dubai.
Every piece of gold sold legally in the UAE carries a hallmark — a tiny stamp that tells you exactly how much gold is in the piece. Understanding these numbers protects you from overpaying, confirms authenticity, and helps you resell at a fair price. This guide explains every hallmark you will encounter in Dubai's jewellery market.
Looking for today's price by hallmark number instead of karat name? See our 916, 999 & KDM gold rate guide for live AED and INR prices.
What Is a Gold Hallmark?
A hallmark is an official mark stamped into a gold piece that certifies its metal content. In the UAE, hallmarking is regulated by the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) and Dubai Municipality. All gold sold by registered dealers must be hallmarked. The number represents parts of gold per 1,000 parts of total metal — a direct percentage of gold content.
Complete UAE Gold Hallmark Table
| Hallmark | Karat | Gold Content % | Common Use | Price Relative to 24K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 999 or 999.9 | 24K | 99.9% | Investment bars, coins, Chinese jewellery | 100% (base reference) |
| 990 | 23.76K | 99.0% | Rare — some East Asian jewellery | ~99% |
| 916 | 22K | 91.6% | Indian jewellery, Dubai Gold Souk standard | ~91.6% |
| 875 | 21K | 87.5% | Arab/Gulf jewellery, traditional Khaleeji pieces | ~87.5% |
| 750 | 18K | 75.0% | European fine jewellery, diamond settings | ~75% |
| 585 | 14K | 58.5% | US/Western jewellery, contemporary designs | ~58.5% |
| 375 | 9K | 37.5% | UK/Australian budget jewellery (rare in UAE) | ~37.5% |
What Do the Numbers Mean in Practice?
916 gold (22K): For every 1,000 parts of the metal alloy, 916 parts are pure gold and 84 parts are silver, copper, or zinc. This is the Dubai Gold Souk standard — the overwhelming majority of jewellery sold in Deira is 916. It has a rich yellow colour and is soft enough to be workable into detailed designs, which is why it dominates Indian and Gulf jewellery traditions.
750 gold (18K): 750 parts per thousand are gold — 25% alloy. The higher alloy content makes it harder and more durable than 22K, which is why diamond settings almost always use 18K — the metal grips stones better. White gold and rose gold are almost always 18K or 14K.
999 gold (24K): Nearly pure gold. Too soft for most jewellery (it bends easily), so 24K is used almost exclusively for investment bars, coins, and some East Asian and Chinese jewellery traditions that accept slight softness for purity.
Where to Find the Hallmark on Your Piece
- Rings: Inside the band, usually engraved or stamped on the interior surface.
- Chains and necklaces: Near the clasp, on the clasp mechanism itself or the small tag attached to it.
- Bangles: Inside the bangle, on the inner curved surface.
- Earrings: On the post or backing (may require magnification to read).
- Pendants: On the bail (the loop through which the chain passes).
Use your phone's camera zoom to photograph and enlarge the hallmark area if you cannot read it with the naked eye.
UAE Hallmarking vs BIS Hallmarking (India)
Many Indian buyers are familiar with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmark system. The numbers are the same (916, 750, 585) but the accompanying stamps differ:
- UAE pieces carry the numerical purity stamp plus sometimes a maker's mark.
- BIS-hallmarked Indian pieces carry the purity number, a BIS logo, the testing centre code, and year of hallmarking.
- Both are internationally recognised. UAE hallmarked pieces sell without issue in India and vice versa.
Does a Higher Hallmark Mean Better Value?
Not necessarily — it depends what you are buying it for. For investment, 999 (24K) is best — you own the maximum amount of gold per gram paid. For jewellery you plan to wear daily, 750 (18K) is actually a better choice because it is harder and more durable. For Indian and Pakistani bridal jewellery that will be resold or exchanged in the home country, 916 (22K) is the standard and commands the best local resale price.
Use our Gold Calculator to compare the metal value of any piece — enter the weight and select the karat to see exactly how much gold you are buying at today's live rate. This is the single most useful number to have before any gold purchase.
Mr. Sajid Aslam
Senior Gold Market Analyst, GoldRatesInDubai.com
Sajid tracks the Dubai gold market daily — DGJG rates, souk premiums and the rules that affect expat buyers — and has covered UAE precious metals for GoldRatesInDubai.com since the site's early days. Read more about our team and data sources.
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