Why Gold Purity Matters in Pakistan
In Pakistan, gold is not just jewelry — it is savings, wedding capital, and family wealth. Paying for 22K and receiving something closer to 18K means you lose money the day you buy, and again the day you sell. A 10-gram piece sold as 22K that is actually ~20K can cost you tens of thousands of rupees at today's rates.
This guide walks through every practical way to check gold purity — from reading hallmarks to acid tests, electronic testers, and what to demand on the bill before you leave the shop.
Karat System Explained (Pakistan Context)
Gold purity is measured in karats. 24K is pure gold. Jewelry mixes gold with other metals (copper, silver, zinc) so it does not bend or scratch as easily.
24K (99.9% pure / ~999 fineness): Soft, yellow, best for coins, bars, and investment. Rarely used for rings or bangles that see daily wear.
22K (91.6% pure / ~916 fineness): The standard for Pakistani jewelry. Strong yellow colour, good resale, accepted everywhere from Saddar to Liberty Market.
21K (87.5% pure / ~875 fineness): Slightly harder and often a bit cheaper per gram. Common in some cities and for heavier daily-wear pieces.
18K (75% pure / ~750 fineness): More durable, often used in diamond settings and modern designs. Lower gold content means lower melt value when you sell.Quick math: On a 10-gram piece, 22K contains about 9.16g of pure gold. 18K contains only 7.5g. That gap is why karat stamped on the piece must match reality.
Use the Jewelix Gold Calculator to convert weight × karat × today's rate before you negotiate.
Method 1: Read the Hallmark Properly
A hallmark is the strongest first check. Look on the clasp, inner ring band, bangle inner edge, or the back of a pendant.
What a Proper Hallmark Usually Shows
Purity stamp: 22K, 916, 21K, 875, 18K, or 750
Maker / jeweller mark: Shop or manufacturer code
Assay / standards mark: Where available (PSQCA-related marking practices vary by city and era)
Sometimes a year or lot code on newer piecesHow to Inspect It
Ask for a loupe (10x magnifier) if the stamp is tiny.
Compare the stamped karat with what the bill says — they must match.
Beware of stamps that look freshly punched on old, worn jewelry (possible restamp).
If there is no stamp at all, treat the piece as unverified until tested.Hallmarks can be faked. Treat them as necessary but not sufficient — always pair with a test or a trusted shop process.
Method 2: Acid (Touchstone) Testing
Traditional jewellers still use nitric acid / touchstone testing. A small rub of the metal is taken on a stone, then acid is applied. Colour reaction indicates approximate purity.
What You Should Know
Higher purity gold resists certain acids better; lower purity shows stronger colour change.
The test can leave a tiny mark or remove a microscopic amount of metal — usually negligible, but ask first on delicate filigree or antique pieces.
Results are approximate, not lab-grade. A skilled tester is more reliable than a rushed junior at a busy counter.Smart Buyer Moves
Ask them to test in front of you, not in a back room.
If you are selling, do not hand over all pieces at once — test one representative piece first if the lot is mixed.
If acid results disagree with the hallmark, stop and demand electronic testing or a second shop opinion.Method 3: Electronic / XRF Gold Testers
Reputable shops increasingly use electronic conductivity testers or XRF (X-ray fluorescence) guns.
Why Buyers Prefer Them
Faster — readings in seconds
Often non-destructive (especially XRF)
Gives a clearer karat / fineness reading than a vague "yeh theek hai"Limits to Remember
Cheap handheld testers can be miscalibrated.
Thick plating over base metal can fool some surface tests — ask them to test a worn edge or an inconspicuous scratch area if plating is suspected.
Stones, enamel, and hollow pieces need careful handling so the reading is on gold, not on setting materials.Rule of thumb: Prefer shops that willingly test on a visible screen and write the result on your quote slip.
Method 4: Density / Weight Reality Check
Pure gold is dense. Dramatic weight mismatches vs. size can signal hollow construction, heavy stone weight, or non-gold cores — not always fraud, but always something to clarify.
Practical Checks
Weigh on a certified digital scale (0.01g preferred for jewelry).
Confirm whether the quoted weight is gross (with stones) or net gold.
For studded jewelry, insist: "stones separately, gold separately."
Compare your home weight (even a decent kitchen scale) with the shop scale — a large gap is a red flag.Hollow bangles and lightweight designer pieces can weigh less than they look. That is normal if disclosed. Undisclosed hollow cores sold at solid prices are not.
Method 5: Sound, Colour, and Magnet Myths
People share home tests that are only partly useful:
Magnet test: Real gold is not magnetic. If a piece sticks strongly, something is wrong. But many fakes also use non-magnetic metals — so "not magnetic" ≠ "real 22K."
Colour: 22K is richer yellow than 18K. Lighting in shops is warm on purpose — step near daylight if unsure.
Bite / ceramic scratch tests: Unreliable and can damage jewelry. Skip them.Use these only as crude screens, never as proof.
What Your Bill Must Show (Non-Negotiable)
A proper Pakistan jewelry invoice should clearly list:
Item description and karat / purity
Gross weight and net gold weight (if stones present)
Rate per gram used that day
Making charges (amount or %)
Stone charges (if any)
Shop name, NTN/STRN where applicable, date, and contactWithout this paperwork, resale and exchange become painful. Keep photos of the bill and the hallmark together on your phone.
City & Market Reality (Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad)
Established showrooms usually test more carefully and document better — slightly less "bazaar bargain," more process.
Wholesale / sarafa-style markets can offer sharper rates but demand more buyer knowledge. Go with today's rate memorised and a willingness to walk away.
Wedding-season rush increases shortcut behaviour — do not skip testing because the shop is crowded.Buying Checklist (Print or Save)
Confirm today's 24K/22K rate on Jewelix before entering the shop.
Inspect hallmark vs. verbal claim.
Weigh net gold; clarify stone deductions.
Watch acid or electronic test in front of you.
Get written breakup: gold + making + stones.
Compare the same design type at 2–3 shops.
Never accept "trust us, bill later."Red Flags That Mean Walk Away
No hallmark and refusal to test
Price far below market "special rate" with pressure to decide now
Testing done out of sight
Bill shows only a lump-sum total with no weight/purity
Shop refuses to write karat on the invoice
Heavy stone jewelry sold without net-gold weightIf You Already Own Unverified Gold
Before selling or gifting:
Get electronic testing at a trusted jeweller (expect a small fee sometimes).
Separate pieces by suspected karat — do not let a shop "average" a mixed lot.
Read our guide on selling old gold jewelry in Pakistan so purity disputes do not shrink your payout.
For new purchases, also understand making charges — purity and making are the two places buyers lose money most often.Bottom Line
Checking gold purity is a process, not a single trick. Hallmark + witnessed test + detailed bill is the combination that protects Pakistani buyers. Spend ten extra minutes verifying karat — it is cheaper than discovering a purity gap years later at buyback time.
