Difference Between 999 Gold and 916 Gold

Have you ever heard the saying all that glitters is not gold? What we know for sure is authentic gold, like 916 gold and 999 gold definitely glistens. What makes this gold extra special is the value it brings to its purity. Today, Starlight Jewellery brings you everything you need to know about understanding gold purity from A to Z on gold.

916 gold, very well known in the jewellery industry, refers to gold with 91.6% purity, while 999 gold, as you can guess, refers to almost pure gold with 99.9% purity. You may ask why it is important to know about 916 and 999 gold purity. The benefits of knowing and understanding the purity of your gold will serve you well if you ever buy gold for yourself or for someone else, insure your gold, invest during resale opportunities and simply in everyday wear. So, in this article, we will tell you all about high-quality gold and its purity and how you can use this knowledge in your gold adventures.

Understanding Gold Purity

What is Gold Purity?

In the precious metal market, the term gold purity is used to indicate the content of pure gold metal in a gold product. Gold purity is typically recognised in percentages or in karats for convenience and ease of understanding among people, which are then converted into certifications for customers to identify genuine products.

Because gold is becoming more scarce and hard to mine day by day, the demand for gold is increasing. As a result, gold products with larger amounts of pure metal or higher karats are higher in price. The outright importance of gold purity stands in its ability to determine the quality and the monetary value of a gold product, whether it is a gorgeous pair of gold studs or a neatly crafted gold bar. The level of gold purity you may find ideal is dependent on your preferences and requirements.

How Gold Purity is Measured?

The karats in gold, also used as K, is a measurement you may have seen quite often in the gold market. But beware not to confuse this karat with carat, which is a measurement for gemstones such as diamonds. Karat is a measurement of the weight and value of a gold product that works by hypothetically dividing it into 24 parts and indicating the proportion of pure gold out of them. For example, a pure gold bar would be 24 karats, while a gold bar with 18 out of 24 parts of pure gold would be 18 karats.

Now, while karat measures gold purity in relation to 24 parts, fineness in gold is expressed as pure gold parts per 1000. It is typically indicated as a percentage or a fraction of a decimal. For instance, a gold bracelet with 916 out of 1000 gold parts would have 91.6% fineness. If you want to read more about gold purity, you can expand your knowledge on the topic at the World Gold Council.

What is 999 Gold?

Definition and Characteristics

999 gold is the highest form of gold purity you will find out there in the precious metal market when it comes to gold products. If you take fineness, you can say that a beautiful 999-gold-moment ring has 99.9% gold purity and is 24 karats.

While pure gold is a soft metal by nature that sustains and maintains the strength and malleability of the product, 0.01% of other metal alloys are added to increase durability. 999 gold is sought out for both investments and for jewellery.

Uses and Advantages of 24k Gold

• Because of the high level of pure gold, 999 gold has a striking golden colour.
• Predominantly being famous for being a great investment which stands against inflation.
• A greater fit for jewellery that is not worn daily but is reserved for special occasions.
• 999 gold is often used to make precise parts of electronics and medical devices.
• The infamous gold facials known to boost blood circulation have anti-ageing effects by making your skin elastic; also use 999 gold.

Common Products of 999 gold

Even with its high value, 999 gold has an unmatched demand. As a result, numerous gold products are being manufactured from 24-karat gold to retain its benefits in many different forms.

• Gold bars
• Gold coins
• Gold bracelets
• Gold rings
• Gold charms
• Gold pendants
• Gold lockets

Mini Guide to investing in 999 gold

• Carefully choose a reputable buyer for your investment purposes.
• Consider safe storage options to safeguard your valuables before the investment.
• Determine if your long-term and short-term goals for the investment are on par with your interest in gold products.

What is 916 Gold?

Definition and Characteristics

916 gold is known for being a loved metal for crafting gorgeous pieces of artful gold jewellery covering anything from gold anklets, gold charms, and gold rings to pendants, bracelets and necklaces.

916 gold is at a purity level of 91.6% pure gold, and 8.4% of the products contain other metal alloys such as copper, silver, zinc and palladium. When we take karats, a 916 gold bracelet will have 22 out of 24 karat parts; therefore, it is also called 22k. Because of this, 916 gold is the next in command in terms of gold purity after 999 gold.

Uses and Advantages of 916 gold

• Harbour high level of durability due to the unique combination of pure gold and other metal alloys.
• High in malleability, which makes 916 gold a great fit for manufacturing and designing gold jewellery.
• 916 gold jewellery is perfect for everyday wear due to its high resistance against wear and tear damage.
• It can also come in handy when liquidating and resale opportunities.
• 916 gold jewellery can be found in larger collections more commonly than 999 gold jewellery.

Common Products in 916 Gold

While 916 gold is sought out by precious metal investors, it is frequently used to create eye-catching gold jewellery to keep up with all the hot and cool jewellery trends that come in waves.

• Gold ornaments
• Gold jewellery such as anklets, rings, bracelets and necklaces.

Practical Guide to Buying 916 Gold Jewellery.

When buying 916 gold jewellery, there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure a worthy and enjoyable shopping and consumer experience.

• Look for and inquire about authentication certificates from reputable bodies, such as the Singapore Assay Office, on the 916 gold jewellery.
• Set and plan your comfortable budget prior to the selection.
• Have your goals defined to make a more focused selection and choose the right fit.

Key Differences Between 999 Gold and 916 Gold

Now, even if 999 gold and 916 may seem alike to the naked eye, there are several key differences that make each stand out. Let's explore them.

Purity and Composition

999 gold, with 99.9% pure gold, stands higher on the ladder of gold purity, which is immediately followed by 916 gold with 91.6% pure gold. In both types of gold, extraneous metal alloys such as nickel, copper and zinc are used in insignificant amounts to give structure and strength to pure gold. 916 gold contains more alloys than 999 gold you find in the market. Both types of gold have the feverishly desirable summer-like yellow tint with the shine and sparkle that gold naturally brings.

Durability and Usage

Because of the comparatively higher level of metal alloys in 916 gold, it is brought to a perfect harmony of beauty and, well, in this case, durability. This is why 916 gold jewellery is famous for being an easy everyday regular wear. 999 gold is used in more specific contexts such as investing to expand portfolios, liquidating in the future in times of crisis and wedding gifts. However, both need good and regular maintenance to look its best.

Value and Cost Implications

As you may know by now, the higher the gold purity, the higher the price. This means that 24-karat gold is typically sold at a noticeably higher cost than 22-karat due to the larger amount of pure gold. However, gold purity is not the only factor which can influence and shape the price of gold products. Craftsmanship, originality of the design and personalisation of gold can also drive the price higher or below the general scale for both 24-karat and 22-karat gold or 916 gold.

Choosing the Right Gold for Your Needs

With such different options in front of you, how do you choose which gold is right for you? Well, there is more than one thing to keep in mind before you make a decision.

• Research and do some window shopping for yourself.
• Determine clearly what your intentions are with buying gold; is it pleasure, a gift or an investment?
• Have a clear budget with a range of how much you are willing to spend for your gold.
• Explore and try different styles and designs in gold jewellery.
• See if that matches your styling needs and personal preferences.
• Consult a gold expert to help you make a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions.

• Is 999 gold better than 916 gold?

Neither is better but different; Which one you should get will depend on your needs.

• What is the difference between 24k and 22k gold?

The main difference is that 24k has higher gold purity compared to 22k gold or 916 gold.

• How to determine the purity of gold?

The easiest and safest guarantee for the purity of gold is hallmarks on jewellery such as the ones from the Singapore Assay Office.

At the end of the day,

It is completely up to you to decide whether 916 gold or 999 gold hits your sweet spot. And you can confidently make that decision now that you know about the value, purity, composition, characteristics, benefits and differences between 22k and 24k gold.  Know that you cannot go wrong with gold investments and styling as long as you understand about gold and listen to your heart's golden desires.