999 Vs 995 Gold: What’s The Difference And How To Check 24K Gold Purity
Last Updated:July 26, 2025, 16:43 IST
While 999 gold is the purest form of the yellow metal one can own, 995 gold is used as a standard for trading purposes.
Considered a safe-haven asset, gold is a preferred investment option among Indians. (Representative Image)
Buying gold on festive occasions and major life events has been an integral part of Indian culture. Apart from its cultural significance, gold is also one of the most popular investment options across the country. Gold is also often preferred as a safe-haven asset globally in case of geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
In the last few months gold price has significantly surged in India amid global uncertainties and rising domestic demand. The price of 24K gold has surged from around Rs 7,800 per gram on January 1, 2025, to nearly Rs 10,000 per gram in July.
With increasing demand, it has also become unaffordable for many potential buyers. For this reason, people are opting for lightweight gold jewellery products made of the yellow metal of lower purity.
With more options, investors also need to maintain higher caution to ensure that they are paying for the right product. Whether it’s 24-karat, also known as 999 gold, or other versions, there is a way to find out the difference.
According to the World Gold Council, gold purity is measured in two main ways: karats and fineness. Karat measures how much gold is mixed with other metals. Fineness shows purity in parts per thousand. For example, 24-karat gold has a fineness of 1.000 (24 ÷ 24) and it’s considered pure gold. On the other hand, 22-karat gold has a fineness of 0.916 (22 ÷ 24). This means that it is 91.6% gold and 8.4% other metals.
What is 999 versus 995 gold?
In simpler terms, 999 gold is also understood as 99.9% pure gold. Also known as 24-karat gold, it is considered the standard for pure gold and is typically available as coins and gold bars. In 999 gold, the remaining 0.1% refers to trace impurities, which can be tiny amounts of other metals.
On the other hand, 995 gold is also a variant of 24-karat gold with slightly more impurities. In this case, for 1,000 grams of purchase, one will get 995 grams of gold mixed with 5 grams of other metals.
While 999 gold is the purest form of gold one can own, 995 gold is used as a standard for trading purposes.
How To Check If a Product Is 999 Gold?
The government-backed Bureau of Indian Standards introduced the hallmarking scheme in 2000 to protect consumers against the adulteration of gold. This scheme was further strengthened by the BIS in 2023.
After March 2023, traders are not allowed to sell gold items without a six‑digit alphanumeric Hallmark Unique Identification Number (HUID). The BIS has also launched a BIS Care application, where consumers can share the details of the HUID embedded on any jewellery to check their authenticity. Based on HUID, the app will share the details of the item, its purity, manufacturer and other aspects.
While HUID-based hallmarking is mandatory for jewellery, the same is not the case for bars and coins. It will still come with a BIS logo and mention of purity, such as 999 or 995 gold on its surface.
You can also put the coin or bar through a vinegar test for any discolouration, which will imply impurity. Additionally, genuine gold is non-magnetic, so using a magnet can help detect the extent of mixed metals.
A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al…Read More
A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al… Read More
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Delhi, India, India
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