If you’ve ever come across the "750" stamp inside your gold ring and wondered what it means, you're not alone. This simple number actually holds important information about the purity of the gold in your jewelry. Let's explore what the 750 stamp represents and why it's significant.

What Does the 750 Stamp Mean?

The "750" stamp indicates that your piece of jewelry is made from 75% pure gold, which is also referred to as 18-carat gold. Essentially, this means that for every 1000 parts of the metal in the ring, 750 parts are pure gold, while the remaining 250 parts are made up of other metals, like copper and silver. These alloy metals are added to give the gold more durability and strength, making it more suitable for jewelry that will be worn regularly.

This stamp is part of the hallmarking system, which is used to confirm the authenticity and purity of the gold. The hallmark typically includes not just the purity but also symbols and numbers to indicate where the piece was hallmarked and by whom.

Why is it Called 18-Carat Gold?

The term "18-carat" originates from the ancient practice of using carob seeds as weights for balance scales. In this system, pure gold is considered to be 24 carats. Therefore, 18-carat gold contains 18 parts of pure gold and 6 parts of other metals, which is 75% gold. The reason it's often called 18-carat gold is because this number is based on a scale of 24 parts, making it easy to determine the purity of the gold in a jewelry item.

How Does 750 Gold Compare to Other Gold Purities?

The 750 stamp represents 18-carat gold, but it’s helpful to understand how this compares to other levels of gold purity. Gold purity is typically measured on a scale from 9 to 24 carats. For example, 9-carat gold contains 37.5% pure gold, while 14-carat gold has 58.5%. The 750 stamp indicates 18-carat gold, which is 75% pure gold, and sits comfortably between the lower-purity golds and the higher-purity 22-carat (91.6%) or pure 24-carat gold (99.9%).

18-carat gold is a popular choice because it balances purity with durability. While pure 24-carat gold is soft and may not be ideal for rings and other jewelry worn daily, 18-carat gold is strong enough to withstand everyday wear and still retains a rich, golden hue.

The Color of 18-Carat Gold

One of the distinctive features of 18-carat gold is its color. The addition of other metals, like copper and silver, gives 18-carat gold a warm, rich yellow hue. Compared to pure 24-carat gold, which is slightly more intense in its yellow color, 18-carat gold offers a beautiful, balanced gold tone.

If you opt for other gold colors like white gold or rose gold, the 750 stamp still applies. White gold is made by mixing yellow gold with metals such as silver, palladium, or nickel, and it’s usually plated with rhodium to give it a bright, silvery finish. Rose gold, on the other hand, gets its pinkish hue from a higher percentage of copper mixed with the gold.

What Other Metals Are Used in 18-Carat Gold?

In an 18-carat gold piece, 75% of the metal content is pure gold. The remaining 25% is made up of other metals that improve the overall strength and durability of the jewelry. Common metals mixed with gold in 18-carat jewelry include copper (15%) and silver (10%). This mixture not only strengthens the gold but also helps to achieve the specific colors and tones found in yellow, rose, and white gold.

Does the 750 Stamp Apply to White Gold?

Yes, the 750 stamp can be found on white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold. Despite the different colors, all of these gold types retain the same 75% purity, as indicated by the 750 stamp. White gold, in particular, often undergoes additional treatments like rhodium plating to give it a bright, white finish, but its purity remains the same as yellow and rose gold.

Conclusion

The 750 stamp inside your gold ring tells you that the jewelry is made from 75% pure gold, commonly known as 18-carat gold. This balance of gold purity and alloy metals ensures that your ring has the perfect combination of beauty, durability, and strength. Whether it's yellow, white, or rose gold, the 750 stamp is a mark of quality and authenticity, guaranteeing the gold’s purity and ensuring that you're wearing a piece of fine jewelry crafted to last.

Next time you spot the 750 stamp, you'll know you're wearing gold that offers both luxury and practicality.