What does 999 mean on jewellery?
999 means 24K · 99.9% pure (Gold or fine silver). Solid precious metal
Maximum metal value. Check whether the piece is gold or silver before assuming — the same number is used for both.
What the mark tells you
Pure metal. On gold this is bullion-grade — too soft for most jewellery, so it usually indicates a bar, coin, or an investment piece. On silver, 999 means fine silver rather than sterling.
Is it worth anything?
Maximum metal value. Check whether the piece is gold or silver before assuming — the same number is used for both.
Where to find it
On a ring the mark is almost always inside the band. On a chain or bracelet look at the clasp or the tag beside it; on earrings check the post or the back. Marks are tiny and often worn — a phone camera zoomed all the way in usually reads one better than your eye does.
A stamp is evidence, not proof
Marks wear down, are struck only partially, and are occasionally forged outright. If a piece is valuable enough to matter, have the metal tested rather than relying on the stamp alone. Equally, an absent stamp does not always mean an absent metal: older and handmade jewellery is frequently unmarked.
Found something real? Value it
If the piece is solid metal or holds a stone, see what it is actually worth — both at retail and what you would genuinely be offered for it.
Value my jewellery