What Does “750” Mean on Gold?
- Arthur Estill
- Jan 20
- 3 min read
What Does “750” Mean on Gold? (And Is It Better Than 585?)
If you’ve ever looked at a ring, bracelet, or necklace and seen the number “750” stamped inside, you’re probably wondering what it means — and whether it indicates real gold.
The short answer is:
“750” means the item is 18-karat gold.
But what does that actually mean in real-world terms, and how does it compare to marks like 585 (14K)?
Let’s break it down in plain English.
What “750” Actually Means
Many countries mark gold using parts per thousand instead of karats.
750 = 750 parts pure gold out of 1,000
That means the piece is 75% pure gold
Which equals 18K gold
So:
750 = 18K solid gold
This is real gold, not plated, not filled, and not costume.
Why Some Jewelry Uses “750” Instead of “18K”
In the United States, we usually see:
10K
14K
18K
But in much of Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world, jewelry is marked with numeric purity stamps instead:
375 = 9K
417 = 10K
585 = 14K
750 = 18K
916 = 22K
999 = 24K
So if you see 750, it usually means the piece was:
Made outside the U.S., or
Made by a manufacturer using international gold marking standards
Is 750 Gold Better Than 585 Gold?
In terms of gold content:
Yes. 750 (18K) contains more gold than 585 (14K).
585 = 58.5% gold
750 = 75% gold
That means:
750 gold is richer in color
Usually slightly heavier
And worth more per gram than 585 gold
However, there is a tradeoff:
18K gold is softer than 14K gold
14K gold is more durable for everyday wear
That’s why many engagement rings in the U.S. are still made in 14K instead of 18K.
Is Jewelry Marked “750” Always Real?
Not automatically.
Just like “14K” or “585,” the 750 stamp can be faked or misleading in rare cases.
That’s why professional evaluation never relies on the mark alone.
Proper evaluation looks at:
Weight and feel
Construction quality
Wear patterns
And uses testing methods such as:
Acid testing
Electronic gold testers
Magnification with a jeweler’s loupe
The stamp is a strong clue, but not the final proof by itself.
A Common Estate Sale Reality
At Afternoon Estate Sales, we frequently encounter jewelry marked 750 in estates. It is one of the most common international gold stamps that families do not recognize, and one of the reasons real gold is often mistaken for costume jewelry.
How Much Is 750 Gold Worth?
Because 750 gold is 18K gold, its base value is determined mostly by:
The weight of the piece
The current gold market price
In most cases:
750 gold is worth more per gram than 585 (14K) gold.
However, just like with any gold jewelry, some pieces can be worth more than melt value if they are:
Do Not Confuse “750” With Plated or Filled Marks
750 is not the same as:
750 means solid gold.
Those other markings do not.
How This Fits into the Bigger Jewelry Picture
If you want a full guide to understanding jewelry value — including gold marks, gemstones, designer pieces, and why some jewelry is worth more than scrap — see our main article:
You may also find this helpful:
Final Thought
If you see “750” stamped inside a piece of jewelry, you are almost always looking at real 18-karat gold.
It is higher in gold content than 14K, more valuable by weight, and very common in imported and European jewelry. Like all gold, it should still be properly evaluated before any decisions are made. [Schedule Your Free Consultation]
