916 Gold: What the 22K Stamp Means
Vazgen Martirosov
Wedding jewelry from India, a bangle bought in a Dubai gold souk, a sovereign coin from the UK. They have one thing in common, a small stamp that reads 916. It is one of the most searched gold numbers in the world, and one of the most misunderstood.
Quick answer: 916 gold is 22 karat gold. It means 916 parts out of 1,000 are pure gold, so 91.6%. The rest is a little silver, copper and zinc that make it harder than pure gold. It is real, high-purity gold, famous for its rich yellow colour. Below: what the stamp means, what is inside it, whether you can wear it every day, and how much 916 gold is worth per gram today. For every other number, see our gold number code guide.
What is 916 gold?
Karats count gold out of 24, and fineness counts it out of 1,000. 22 divided by 24 is 0.9167, so 22K gold is stamped 916. Some makers round it to 917. Both mean the same thing.
What is inside 916 gold?
Picture a block of 100 squares. In 22K gold, almost all of them are gold. According to the World Gold Council, a typical yellow 22K mix is 91.7% gold, 5% silver, 2% copper and 1.3% zinc.
That small amount of alloy does a big job. It makes the metal hard enough to hold a shape and a design, while keeping the warm, deep yellow that pure gold is loved for. The same source notes that white 22K gold is not made, because there is too little room for the whitening metals.
What does the 916 stamp mean?
You may see it written a few ways:
- 916 or 917: the fineness mark, used in the UK, India, Singapore, Malaysia and the Gulf.
- 22K, 22KT or 22ct: the karat mark.
- 22K916: both together, common on jewelry from India.
916 is one of the official gold standards in hallmarking. The Assay Office London lists it with 375, 585, 750 and 999, and notes that pieces are marked to the lowest standard they meet. So a genuine hallmarked 916 piece has at least 91.6% gold.
Is 916 gold real?
Yes. 916 is real, solid gold, with more gold in it than almost any jewelry you can buy in Europe or the US. The stamp alone is not proof, though. Plated pieces can carry any number. Buy from a jeweler you trust, keep the receipt, and if a price seems low for the weight, use the checks in how to tell if gold is real.
916 vs 999, 750 and 585 gold
| Feature | 24K (999) | 22K (916) | 18K (750) | 14K (585) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure gold | 99.9% | 91.6% | 75% | 58.5% |
| Colour | Deep yellow | Rich yellow | Warm yellow | Soft yellow |
| Hardness | Very soft | Soft | Firm | Hard |
| Holds stones | Poorly | Fairly | Well | Very well |
| Best for | Bars, coins | Bridal sets, bangles | Chains, fine rings | Everyday rings |
Read more about the two karats we use in 750 gold and 585 gold.
Can you wear 916 gold every day?
Yes, with a little care. 22K is much harder than 24K, so bangles, chains and earrings wear well for years. It is still softer than 18K or 14K, so it scratches and bends sooner, and small stones can loosen in a ring that takes knocks.
- Great for: bridal sets, bangles, coins and heavy chains with a deep colour.
- Think twice for: thin rings with diamonds worn every day, or work and sport.
- Bonus: with so little alloy, it rarely irritates sensitive skin and it does not tarnish.
How much is 916 gold worth per gram?
916 gold value per gram = gold price per gram × 0.916
On 10 November 2026, gold traded at about $4,074 an ounce, or $130.97 per gram. That put 916 gold at about $119.97 per gram. Prices change daily, so redo the sum with today's figure.
| Weight | Pure gold inside | Melt value (10 Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 g (ring or earrings) | 4.58 g | about $600 |
| 10 g (bangle) | 9.16 g | about $1,200 |
| 11.66 g (1 tola) | 10.68 g | about $1,399 |
| 20 g (heavy chain) | 18.32 g | about $2,399 |
A buyer will pay less than melt value, and the price of new jewelry includes making charges for the design and work. When you compare shops, compare the price per gram of gold and the making charge separately.
Why we work in 14K and 18K
We have made jewelry in Yerevan since 2010, and we do not make 22K pieces. Our designs are set with diamonds, and we want prongs that stay tight for decades, so we use 14K for rings like our round solitaire engagement ring and 18K for chains like our 18K gold chain. If you love a deep yellow, 18K is the closest we go, and you can ask for it through our custom gold jewelry service.
Frequently asked questions
Is 916 gold 22K?
Yes. 916 is the fineness stamp for 22 karat gold, meaning 91.6% pure gold.
Is 916 gold real gold?
Yes, it is solid gold with more gold in it than 18K or 14K. Always buy from a trusted jeweler, because a stamp can be faked.
What is the difference between 916 and 999 gold?
999 is 24K, 99.9% gold and very soft. 916 is 22K, 91.6% gold, a little harder and better for jewelry you wear.
Is 916 the same as 917?
Yes. 22 divided by 24 is 0.9167, and makers round it either way. Both mean 22K gold.
Does 916 gold fade or tarnish?
No, it does not tarnish. It can scratch and look dull, and a soft cloth with warm soapy water brings the shine back.
How much is 916 gold per gram?
Multiply the gold price per gram by 0.916. On 10 November 2026 that was about $119.97 per gram.
Is there white 22K gold?
Not really. With 91.6% gold, there is too little room for the metals that make gold white, so 22K is almost always yellow.
Back to that 916
So the stamp on that bangle or bridal set is good news: 916 means 22 karat, nearly all gold, with just enough alloy to make it wearable. It is a beautiful choice for pieces you wear with care. For a diamond ring you will wear every single day, 18K or 14K will keep its shape and its stones for longer.
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