What "purity" means
Gold purity is the share of pure gold in a piece. The rest is other metals, such as silver or copper, added for strength or colour. Purity is written in two ways:
- Karat (K): a scale where the highest karat means pure gold.
- Fineness: parts of pure gold per thousand, stamped as a three-digit number on many items.
Our page on Gold Karats and Purity explains both scales and how they convert. Purity and weight together decide what a piece is worth. Weight in Pakistan is often quoted in tola. See Ounce, Tola and Gram.
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Hallmarks: read the stamp first
A hallmark is a mark stamped on gold that states its purity. Depending on the item, it may also show the maker or the testing office.
When you look at a hallmark in Pakistan, check:
- The purity mark: a karat figure or a fineness number.
- The maker's or jeweller's mark: shows who made or sold the item.
- An assay office or testing mark: shows that an independent body tested it, if present.
A stamp put on by the seller is a claim, not a test. Hallmarking practice in Pakistan varies between jewellers. A stamped karat on its own does not prove purity. Treat it as the starting point, then verify the piece with one of the methods below.
Real gold tests at home
Home tests can catch obvious fakes. They cannot tell you the exact karat.
| Test | How it works | What it can show | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnet | Hold a strong magnet near the piece | Gold is not magnetic, so a strong pull suggests a different base metal | Many non-gold metals are also not magnetic |
| Visual check | Look for worn edges, discoloured spots or flaking | Plating wearing off shows a different metal underneath | Good plating can look perfect |
| Ceramic scratch | Rub gently on unglazed ceramic | Real gold leaves a gold-coloured streak, while many fakes leave a dark one | Scratches the item, and it is unreliable for alloys |
| Density | Weigh the piece, then measure the water it displaces | Gold is very dense, so a low density points to a fake | Needs an accurate scale and does not work well with stones or hollow parts |
Avoid home acid kits unless you know how to use them safely. The acids are corrosive.
Acid test at a jeweller
The traditional method in many Pakistani markets uses a touchstone. The jeweller rubs the gold on a dark stone, then applies acids of different strengths to the streak. How the streak reacts shows the approximate karat.
- It is quick and cheap.
- It marks the item slightly.
- It tests only the surface, so thick plating over a base metal can mislead it.
- The result depends on the skill and honesty of the person testing.
XRF testing
XRF (X-ray fluorescence) machines send X-rays at the metal and read the signal that comes back. The machine reports the share of gold and other metals.
- It does not damage the item.
- It gives a reading in a short time with a printed result.
- It reads mainly the surface layer, so plated or filled items can still give a misleading result.
- Accuracy depends on how the machine is calibrated and maintained.
Many larger jewellers and testing labs in cities offer XRF testing for a fee. Ask for the printed report and keep it.
Fire assay and assay certificates
Fire assay melts a small sample and separates out the pure gold. It is the most accurate method. It destroys the sample, so it is used mainly by refiners and for bars, not jewellery.
Gold bars and some coins come with an assay certificate from the refiner. Check that:
- The refiner's name on the certificate matches the stamp on the bar.
- The serial number on the certificate matches the serial number on the bar.
- The weight and fineness on the certificate match the bar.
- The packaging is sealed and undamaged.
A certificate is only as reliable as the refiner and the seller. Buy from sellers who can show where the bar came from. For the cost side of buying, see Bars, Coins, Jewellery.
Gold price and value
This page does not show a live gold price. To estimate the value of a piece, take a current price from a source you trust and work it out using the piece's purity and weight. Read How Gold Price Is Set and Gold in Pakistan for background. Once you own tested gold, see Storing Gold Safely.
Gold held as a trading product, such as a CFD, raises no purity question, but it carries other risks. Leveraged CFD trading can lose money fast. See Physical vs Paper Gold for the differences.
Frequent questions
What is the most reliable way to check gold purity?
Fire assay is the most accurate, but it destroys a sample. For jewellery, an XRF test at a reputable lab or jeweller is the usual practical choice.
Can I do a real gold test at home?
You can run simple checks with a magnet, a visual inspection, a ceramic scratch or a density measurement. These can expose obvious fakes. None of them gives you the exact karat.
Does a hallmark in Pakistan guarantee purity?
No. A stamp put on by a jeweller is a claim. It is worth verifying by testing, especially for larger purchases.
Can plated gold pass a test?
Yes, it can. Acid tests and XRF both read mainly the surface, so thick plating can mislead them. Density checks and fire assay are harder to fool.
Should I keep the test report or certificate?
Yes. Keep the XRF report, the assay certificate and the purchase receipt. You will need them if you sell the gold later.