Pick up almost any gold piece in the UAE and look closely at the clasp, the inner band or the edge. You will find a small set of numbers stamped into the metal. That hallmark is not decoration — it is a legally backed statement of how much pure gold the piece contains.
The numbers, translated
- 999 — 24K, pure gold (bars, coins)
- 916 — 22K, the Gulf jewellery standard
- 875 — 21K, common for daily wear
- 750 — 18K, harder, used for studded designs
The number is parts per thousand of pure gold. 916 means 916 grams of gold in every 1,000 grams of alloy — the rest is other metals added for strength and colour.
Why it is trustworthy here
The UAE runs a strict hallmarking regime. Gold offered for sale must match its stamped purity, and that standard is actively enforced. It is a big part of why Dubai earned its reputation as a place where the gold is what it says it is.
Verify in seconds
Any reputable shop can run a non-destructive XRF test that reads the exact composition on the spot. If you are spending a meaningful sum, ask for it — a confident seller will not hesitate. When the stamp and the machine agree, you know precisely what you are buying.
One habit worth keeping
Keep your invoice. It should list the weight, the karat and the making charge separately. Paired with the hallmark, it is your record of exactly what you paid for, which makes any future resale cleaner and faster.
