What Does 585 Mean on Jewelry? The 14K Gold Stamp Explained

What does 585 mean on gold jewelry?

585 means 585 parts in every 1,000 are pure gold, so the piece is 58.5% gold and the rest is other metals such as copper, silver or zinc. That makes it 14K gold, the same grade a US jeweler would stamp "14K". If you have wondered "what is 585", "what is gold 585" or "does 585 mean 14K gold", the answer to all of them is yes. Pure gold is 24K, so 14K is 14 parts gold out of 24 (58.3%), and the stamp rounds that to 585 in the thousandths system used across much of Europe and many other countries.

Why mix the gold at all? Pure gold is very soft and bends easily. Alloying it makes rings, chains and clasps hold their shape through daily wear. For the full 14K story (colors, wear, buying advice) see what 14K means on jewelry.

585 vs 417 vs 375 vs 750: which stamp is which karat?

585 sits in the middle of the common gold stamps: richer than 417 (10K) and 375 (9K), less gold than 750 (18K). Here is the short version:

Each sibling stamp has its own page: 417, 375 and 750. For every number you might find use the gold purity numbers guide, and for the 10K versus 14K decision specifically read 10K vs 14K gold.

Is 585 real gold?

Yes, a genuine 585 mark means real solid gold at 14K purity, not plated and not gold filled. The key word is genuine. A stamp is only a maker's claim, and a stamp can be added to a piece that does not deserve it, so treat it as strong evidence, not proof. Pieces that are honestly 14K are normally stamped 585 or 14K and often also carry a maker's mark; pieces with a vague or oddly placed stamp deserve a test before you pay for them or sell them.

If you are comparing a stamped piece against a plated one, gold plated vs solid gold explains the practical differences in plain terms.

What do the other marks next to 585 mean?

The marks beside 585 tell you where the piece was made, who made it, and whether the 585 applies to the whole piece. Read them as a set:

• A country or origin word (such as "ITALY"). It says where the piece was made or imported from. It does not change the purity: 585 is still 14K. See 925 Italy for how the same word works on silver.
• A maker's mark. A small set of initials, a short code or a tiny symbol registered to the manufacturer. It is a good sign, since it shows someone stands behind the stamp, but you usually cannot decode it without a reference book or a jeweler.
• Control or assay marks. Many countries add a small official symbol where an independent office tested the piece. The look varies by country, and older pieces may have none.
• GP, GEP, GF or HGE. These mean gold plated, gold electroplated, gold filled or heavy gold electroplate. A piece with 585 and one of these is a layered product, not solid 14K. HGE and 18KGP have their own guides.
• 925 or 800 on the same piece. A piece carrying both a gold stamp and a silver stamp is usually a mixed item (for example gold parts on a silver body). Ask a jeweler which part carries which mark.

For a wider look at stamps and symbols, the jewelry hallmarks guide covers them all.

Where is the 585 stamp on a piece of jewelry?

The stamp is small and sits on a flat inner surface, so you often need a magnifier. Common spots: the inside of a ring band, the clasp or the small tag next to it on a chain, the post or back of an earring, and the inside of a bracelet or bangle. On thin chains the tag is the only flat place. Wear over decades can blur it, which is why many inherited pieces look unstamped at first glance.

How can I check a 585 piece at home?

You can run a few simple checks at home, but none of them proves purity. Use them to spot obvious problems, then confirm anything valuable with a professional test.

1. Inspect the stamp with a magnifier. It should be crisp and evenly struck, not blobby, not painted on and not misspelled. A stamp that looks different on each piece of a set is a flag.
2. Look at the wear points. Check edges, the inside of rings and clasps. If a different color shows through (silver, copper, grey), the piece may be plated.
3. Try a magnet. Gold is not magnetic, so a strong pull means a base metal or steel. Limit: many non magnetic metals (brass, plated copper, sterling silver) pass this test, so passing proves very little.
4. Weigh it. Gold is dense, so a real gold chain feels heavier than a look alike of the same size. Limit: only useful if you already know what a comparable piece weighs.
5. Take it to a jeweler for an electronic or X ray test. This reads the actual metal content without damaging the piece, and it is the only step here that answers the purity question. More methods are in how to tell if jewelry is real gold.

Skip the home acid kits on anything you love or might sell: a scratch test leaves a mark, and misreading the result is easy.

What if the stamp is missing, worn or unclear?

A missing stamp does not mean the piece is fake, and a stamp does not mean it is real. Some genuine gold was never stamped (small pieces, custom work, older items), and stamps wear off or get buffed away in resizing. If the mark is gone or you cannot read it, have the piece tested by a jeweler or a reputable gold buyer; they can tell you the likely karat on the spot. Do not rely on color alone, because 14K can look yellow, rose or white depending on the alloy, and plated pieces can match any of those.

Is 585 gold worth anything, and how do I work out its value?

585 gold has real value because it is 58.5% gold by weight, but what you are paid depends on the current gold market, the weight, and what the buyer offers. We will not quote a per gram figure here since it changes daily. Instead, use this method:

• Weigh the piece in grams (a kitchen scale that reads to 0.1 g is fine for a rough idea).
• Multiply by 0.585 to get the pure gold content. Worked example: a 5 g chain holds about 2.9 g of pure gold (5 x 0.585 = 2.925).
• Check the current gold market price from a live source, and expect a buyer to offer below that figure because they need a margin. Collect two or three quotes before selling.

Stones, maker quality and vintage appeal can add value beyond the metal, and sentimental value is its own thing. This is general information, not financial advice.

Is 585 a good choice for everyday jewelry?

Yes, 14K is the most common choice for rings and chains in many countries because it balances warm gold color with enough hardness for daily wear. It resists scratches better than 18K and holds more gold content (and a richer color) than 10K. A small share of wearers react to the alloy metals in any karat gold, so if you have sensitive skin and notice irritation, stop wearing the piece and ask a doctor or dermatologist; this is general information, not medical advice.

An honest note on our range

AJLuxe does not sell solid gold, so none of our pieces carry a 585, 417 or other karat stamp. Our jewelry is gold plated over 925 sterling silver or over stainless steel, which gives the look of gold at an everyday price, and plating wears gradually with use. If you want a gold look without a solid gold price, these are a fit:

• Dainty Stacking Rings: 18K gold plated over 925 sterling silver, thin bands for layering ($37.99).
• Cable Chain Cuff Bracelet: 18K gold plated open cuff, adjustable ($36.99).

Browse the full gold plated jewelry collection. US orders ship free and returns are free for 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 585 the same as 14K gold?

Yes, 585 and 14K describe the same grade of gold. Both mean about 58.5% pure gold (14 parts of 24 is 58.3%, and 585 is the rounded thousandths figure).

Is 585 gold real gold?

Yes, a genuine 585 mark means solid 14K gold, which is real gold alloyed with other metals. Extra marks like GP or HGE beside it would mean the piece is plated instead.

How much is 585 gold worth?

It depends on the weight and the current gold price, because the metal content is what sets the value. Multiply the weight in grams by 0.585 to find the pure gold, then compare live prices and several buyer quotes.

Can I pawn or sell 14K gold plated jewelry?

A plated piece is worth far less than solid 14K, because only a thin gold layer sits over another metal. Solid 585 pieces are what gold buyers pay for by weight, so confirm which one you hold before you shop it around.

What does 585 Italy mean?

It means the piece is 14K gold (585) and was made in or imported from Italy. The country word does not change the purity.

What is the difference between 585 and 750 gold?

585 is 14K (58.5% gold) and 750 is 18K (75% gold). 750 has a richer color and more gold value, while 585 is harder and tends to scratch less.

What is the difference between 585 and 925?

585 marks 14K gold, while 925 marks sterling silver (92.5% silver). They are different metals, so a piece with both usually combines gold and silver parts.

What if my gold has no 585 stamp?

Then get it tested by a jeweler. Many genuine pieces are unstamped or have a worn mark, and a stamp alone is never proof.

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