Золото 417 пробы (10K): что означает клеймо и сколько оно стоит
Vazgen Martirosov
You turn a ring over, or squint at the clasp of a chain, and there it is: a tiny 417. No karat sign, no explanation. Just a number that leaves you wondering whether you own real gold or a very good imitation.
Quick answer: 10K gold is real, solid gold, and 417 is its stamp. It means 417 parts out of 1,000 are pure gold, so 41.7%. The rest is stronger metals that make it hard-wearing. It is the lowest karat that can be sold as gold in the United States, and it is a step below the 14K and 18K gold used in our gold rings and gold chains. Below: what the stamp means, whether it is real, how much 10K gold is worth per gram today, and how it compares with 14K and 18K.
What is 10K gold?
Gold purity is counted in karats, out of 24. Pure gold is 24 karat. 10K gold is 10 parts gold and 14 parts other metals, which works out to 41.7% gold by weight.
Those other metals are usually copper, silver and zinc. In white gold you may also find nickel or palladium. They are there for a reason: pure gold is soft enough to dent with a fingernail, and a ring worn every day needs to be tougher than that.
Less gold means a paler, softer yellow than 14K or 18K, a lower price and a harder surface. Whether that is a good trade depends on what you want the piece to do.
What does the 417 stamp on gold mean?
What does 417 mean on gold? It is the purity written in thousandths. 417 out of 1,000 parts are gold, which is the same as 10 karats (10 divided by 24 is 0.417). Europe and much of the world write purity this way, while the US mostly writes karats.
So the 417 stamp on gold and a 10K stamp say the same thing. You may see it written a few ways:
- 417 or .417: the thousandths mark.
- 10K or 10KT: the karat mark, common on American pieces.
- 10KP: 10 karat plumb, meaning the gold is at least 10K with no rounding down.
Look for it inside a ring band, on the tag or clasp of a chain, or on the bail of a pendant. It is often next to a maker's mark, a set of letters or a small logo that tells you who made the piece.
417 Italy gold
417 Italy means 10K gold made in Italy. You will see it a lot on chains and bracelets, because Italy is famous for its gold chain making. Italy tells you where it was made, not how good it is, and stamps can be copied, so treat it as a claim. This is different from 925 Italy, which is silver.
Stamp decoder: 417 next to the other gold marks
Here is where 417 sits among the stamps you are most likely to find. The more gold, the richer the colour, and the softer the metal.
| Stamp | Karat | Pure gold | Colour | Scratch resistance | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 375 | 9K | 37.5% | Pale yellow | ★★★★★ | — |
| 417 | 10K | 41.7% | Pale yellow | ★★★★★ | You are here |
| 585 | 14K | 58.5% | Warm yellow | ★★★★ | 585 gold |
| 750 | 18K | 75% | Rich yellow | ★★★ | 750 gold |
| 999 | 24K | 99.9% | Deep yellow | ★ | — |
| 925 | Silver | 92.5% silver | Silver | ★★ | 925 gold |
Notice the last row. 925 is a bigger number than 417, but it counts silver, not gold. A piece marked 417 has far more gold in it than a gold-coloured piece marked 925.
Is 417 real gold?
Is 417 real gold? Yes. It is solid gold alloy all the way through, not a coating. In the US, the FTC says jewelry has to be at least 10 karat to be sold as gold, so 10K is the lowest real gold you can buy there.
Other countries draw the line in different places. In the UK, the official hallmark standards for gold start at 375 (9K) and then jump to 585 (14K), so 10K is mostly an American karat. Either way, 417 is real gold with less gold in it, not fake gold.
The stamp itself proves nothing, though. A 417 punched into plated brass costs pennies. If the price seems too low for the weight, test it.
How much is 10K gold per gram?
How much is 10K gold per gram today? Take the price of pure gold per gram and multiply by 0.417. That is the melt value, the worth of the gold inside.
10K value per gram = pure gold price per gram × 0.417
On 3 November 2026, gold traded at about $3,947 an ounce, or $126.91 per gram. That put 10K gold at about $52.92 per gram. Gold moves every day, so treat this as an example and redo the sum with today's price.
To value a whole piece, weigh it in grams first. Here is what the gold inside some common weights was worth on that day:
| Weight of the piece | Pure gold inside | Melt value (3 Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 g (thin ring) | 0.83 g | about $106 |
| 5 g (chain or band) | 2.09 g | about $265 |
| 10 g (heavier chain) | 4.17 g | about $529 |
| 20 g (bracelet) | 8.34 g | about $1,058 |
A buyer will pay less than this. Gold buyers and pawn shops take a margin and refining costs, so offers often land well below melt value. Weigh the piece yourself before you ask for a quote, and get more than one.
10K vs 14K vs 18K gold
The same ring in three karats looks and wears a little differently:
| Feature | 10K (417) | 14K (585) | 18K (750) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure gold | 41.7% | 58.5% | 75% |
| Colour | Pale yellow | Warm yellow | Rich, deep yellow |
| Scratches | Resists them best | Good balance | Shows them sooner |
| Sensitive skin | Most alloy, most risk | Low risk for most | Lowest risk |
| Gold value per gram | Lowest | Middle | Highest |
| Good for | Budget everyday pieces | Rings worn daily | Chains, pendants |
We compare the top two in detail in 14K vs 18K gold. Most people who care about colour notice the jump from 10K to 14K straight away.
Is 10K gold good?
For the right piece, yes. 10K is the toughest and most affordable real gold, which makes it a sensible choice for things that take a beating.
- Good: it is hard, holds its shape and costs less. It suits kids' jewelry, work rings and everyday pieces you do not want to baby.
- Less good: the colour is paler, and over the years it can darken slightly, because there is more copper and silver in the mix. People with sensitive skin may react to the extra alloy, especially nickel in some white 10K.
- Value: each gram holds less gold, so it is worth less when you sell it.
For a piece you plan to wear for decades, like an engagement ring or a family heirloom, most people are happier with 14K or 18K.
How to check a piece stamped 417
- Read every mark. Use your phone's zoom. Letters like GP, GF or HGE next to the number mean plated or filled, not solid gold.
- Check the worn spots. A different colour peeking through at the clasp or inside the band means a coating.
- Try a magnet. Gold is not magnetic. A strong pull means a base metal, though no pull does not prove it is gold.
- Weigh it and do the sum. If the price is far below the melt value above, ask why.
- Get it tested. A jeweller or assay office can confirm the karat in minutes.
We cover the safe home tests, and the ones to skip, in how to tell if gold is real.
Why we work in 14K and 18K
We do not make 10K jewelry. We have been working in Yerevan since 2010, and we use 14K for rings and pendants, like the half eternity ring, and 18K for our fine gold chains. For pieces meant to be worn every day for years, we think the richer colour and higher gold content are worth it.
You are welcome to have anything we make tested at an assay office, so the number stamped inside is never just our word.
Frequently asked questions
Is 10K gold real gold?
Yes. 10K gold is solid gold alloy with 41.7% pure gold. It is the lowest karat that can be sold as gold in the US, and it is gold all the way through, not plated.
What is the 417 stamp on gold?
It is the purity mark for 10K gold. 417 means 417 parts out of 1,000 are pure gold. You will usually find it inside a ring band or near the clasp of a chain.
Does 10K gold tarnish?
It can darken a little over time, because it has more copper and silver than higher karats. A soft cloth and warm soapy water usually bring the shine back.
Can you shower with 10K gold?
Yes, water will not harm it. Soap and shampoo can leave a dull film, though, so take it off when you can and rinse and dry it if you forget.
Will 10K gold turn my finger green?
Sometimes, on some people. The copper in the alloy can react with sweat or lotion and leave a green mark that washes off. Keeping the ring clean and dry helps.
Is 417 better than 585?
Not better, different. 417 (10K) is harder and cheaper, while 585 (14K) has more gold, a warmer colour and is gentler on sensitive skin. For a ring worn every day for years, most people choose 14K.
Is 10K gold good for an engagement ring?
It works, especially if you are hard on your hands or on a budget. Many couples still prefer 14K or 18K for the deeper colour and because it is a piece they plan to wear for life.
How much is 10K gold worth per gram?
Multiply the price of pure gold per gram by 0.417. On 3 November 2026 that came to about $52.92 per gram. A buyer will offer less than this melt value.
Back to that little 417
So the number on your ring was good news all along. 10K gold is real gold, a tough and affordable one, with a little less gold and a little less glow than the karats above it. If you are buying something to wear every day for the next twenty years, it is worth looking at a 585 or 750 stamp too.
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