By The Eye desk · Last verified 28 September 2026

“916” stamped on gold jewellery means it is 91.6 per cent pure gold, or 22 karats. The rest is metals such as silver and copper that make it harder-wearing. It’s the standard for traditional jewellery in Singapore, including Chinese, Malay and Indian bridal pieces. What you pay is the day’s gold price multiplied by the weight, plus a workmanship charge for the design. When you sell, dealers generally value the piece on its purity and weight alone, so the workmanship charge doesn’t come back.

Quick facts

• 916 means 91.6% gold, or 22 karats.
• 999 means 99.9% gold (24 karats); 750 means 75% (18 karats).
• Price = gold rate × weight + workmanship.
• Resale value depends mainly on purity and weight.
• Gold prices change daily.
• Look for the purity stamp on the clasp or inner band.

What do the numbers mean?

Stamp	Gold content	Karats	Typical use
999	99.9%	24K	Bars, coins and heirloom pieces; soft
916	91.6%	22K	Traditional jewellery for everyday and bridal wear
750	75%	18K	Modern designs, white and rose gold

Purer gold is softer. 999 gold bends and scratches easily, which is why 916 is preferred for jewellery worn every day.

How is gold jewellery priced?

Two parts. The first is the gold itself: the day’s rate for that purity multiplied by the weight in grams. One Singapore dealer’s indicative retail prices in August 2026 were about S$243 a gram for 999 and S$228 for 916. The second is the workmanship charge for making the piece, which is higher for intricate designs than for simple chains. Always ask for the two figures separately.

What do I get back when I sell?

Mostly the value of the gold: its purity, its weight and the day’s price, not its looks or the workmanship. A heavy 916 bangle can fetch more than a light 999 pendant, because weight matters as much as purity. Branded pieces from luxury houses can sell for a premium over their gold value.

Jewellery or investment?

If the aim is investment, 999 bars and coins track the gold price more closely, because you pay little for workmanship. Jewellery is something to wear first, with the gold as a floor under its value.

The WahLiao Verdict

Ask for the gold price and the workmanship charge on separate lines, weigh the piece yourself, and compare the per-gram rate across shops. Buy 916 to wear, and buy bars if what you want is gold.

Questions people ask

How do I know my gold’s purity?

Look for a stamp, usually on the clasp or inside the band: 916, 999 or 750. If it’s worn away, a dealer can test it.

Why doesn’t the shop give me back what I paid?

Because you paid for workmanship, and the buyback is based mainly on the gold itself.

Is 999 always better?

For value per gram, yes. For jewellery you’ll wear, 916 lasts better.

Can worn or broken gold be sold?

Yes. Dealers value it by purity and weight, not condition.

Sources: ValueMax on 916 and 999 gold and indicative gold prices (21 August 2026); EcoRing on resale value; Merlin Goldsmith on workmanship and design; Moneymax on price components. Prices are dealers’ indicative figures on the dates shown; check the day’s rate before you buy.

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