Whether you're buying investment bullion, selling unwanted jewellery, or simply trying to understand what your gold is worth, knowing your gold's purity is essential.
At 888 Bullion, we professionally test thousands of gold items every year using advanced XRF precious metal testing equipment, allowing us to accurately identify the purity of your jewellery, coins and bullion. From everyday 9ct jewellery to investment-grade 24ct gold bars, understanding gold purity helps you determine both the value and composition of your precious metals.
If you're planning to sell your gold, you can use our Gold Calculator to estimate its value based on today's live market prices, or visit our Today's Gold Prices page to see our latest buying prices before requesting a valuation.
Gold purity refers to the percentage of pure gold contained within an item. Because pure gold is naturally soft, it is often alloyed with metals such as silver, copper, zinc and palladium to improve strength and durability.
The higher the purity, the greater the percentage of pure gold contained within the item, which usually means a higher intrinsic value.
If you're unsure what purity your jewellery is, our British Hallmark Guide explains how to identify official UK hallmarks and purity marks.
8ct gold contains approximately 33.3% pure gold and is occasionally found in imported jewellery.
Read our Complete 8ct Gold Guide
9ct gold contains 37.5% pure gold and is the most common gold purity found in the UK.
Popular items include:
Rings
Chains
Bracelets
Necklaces
Earrings
Read our Complete 9ct Gold Guide
10ct gold contains 41.7% pure gold and is commonly found in jewellery imported from North America.
Read our Complete 10ct Gold Guide
12ct gold contains 50% pure gold and is mostly found in antique jewellery.
Read our Complete 12ct Gold Guide
14ct gold contains 58.5% pure gold and is extremely popular throughout Europe and America.
Read our Complete 14ct Gold Guide
15ct gold was historically produced in Britain and remains highly desirable in antique jewellery.
Read our Complete 15ct Gold Guide
18ct gold contains 75% pure gold and is commonly used in luxury jewellery and premium watches.
Read our Complete 18ct Gold Guide
See Today's 18ct Gold Buying Price
21ct gold contains 87.5% pure gold and is commonly found in Middle Eastern and Asian jewellery.
Read our Complete 21ct Gold Guide
22ct gold contains 91.6% pure gold and is widely used in Gold Sovereigns, traditional jewellery and investment coins.
Read our Complete 22ct Gold Guide
Learn More About Gold Sovereigns
24ct gold is 99.9% pure gold and is primarily used in investment bars and bullion coins.
Read our Complete 24ct Gold Guide
Most UK jewellery carries an official hallmark indicating its purity.
Common examples include:
| Hallmark | Gold Purity |
|---|---|
| 333 | 8ct |
| 375 | 9ct |
| 417 | 10ct |
| 500 | 12ct |
| 585 | 14ct |
| 625 | 15ct |
| 750 | 18ct |
| 875 | 21ct |
| 916 | 22ct |
| 999 | 24ct |
If your jewellery isn't hallmarked, don't worry. Our experienced team can accurately determine its purity using professional XRF precious metal testing without causing any damage.
You can also visit our British Hallmark Guide for a complete explanation of UK hallmarks.
Generally, yes.
The more pure gold an item contains, the more it is worth based on the live gold price.
However, value is also affected by:
Weight
Live gold price
Brand
Condition
Antique value
Collectability
Gemstones
To estimate the value of your jewellery, use our Gold Calculator, then compare the result with our Today's Gold Prices page.
At 888 Bullion, we buy every gold purity, including:
Scrap gold
Broken jewellery
Gold rings
Necklaces
Bracelets
Watches
Gold Sovereigns
Gold Britannias
Gold bars
Investment bullion
Dental gold
Every item is professionally tested before being valued against the current live gold market.
Whether you're visiting our Hatton Garden office or using our FREE Gold Pack, you can expect transparent pricing, professional service and fast payment.
To learn more, visit:
Before selling your gold, you may also find these guides useful:
Gold Calculator
Today's Gold Prices
British Hallmark Guide
Sell Gold Jewellery
Sell Gold & Silver
Sell Gold by Post
Gold Pack
Gold Sovereigns Guide
Gold Britannias Guide
Gold Bars Guide
Gold Investment Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact 888 Bullion
✔ Over 40 years of family experience
✔ Trusted Hatton Garden bullion specialists
✔ Professional XRF precious metal testing
✔ Live market prices updated throughout the day
✔ Up to 98% of the live market value paid on qualifying items
✔ Fast secure payment
✔ Fully insured Gold Pack service
Whether you're selling a single gold ring, inherited jewellery or investment bullion, 888 Bullion provides honest valuations, transparent pricing and expert advice every step of the way.
