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Updated 22 October 2026 · Source: All-Pakistan Sarafa Association
How to Check Gold Purity in Pakistan: Tests, Hallmarks and Costs
The surest way to check gold purity in Pakistan is an XRF karat test at a Sarafa testing lab, which takes about a minute and does not damage the piece. It matters: if 2 tola sold as 22K is really 21K, you overpay about Rs36,211 at today’s rate. This guide explains every test, what hallmarks mean and which home tests to ignore.
How to Check Gold Purity: The Short Answer
To check gold purity in Pakistan, read the hallmark, then confirm it with an XRF (karat meter) test at a jeweller or testing lab in your Sarafa bazaar. A touchstone test by an experienced jeweller is a good second check. Home tests such as a magnet or water can only expose obvious fakes; they cannot tell 22K from 21K.
| If you want to… | Best method |
|---|---|
| Know the exact karat | XRF test at a lab or Sarafa shop |
| Spot an obvious fake quickly | Magnet and price check |
| Check before selling | XRF certificate, so the buyer cannot under-value it |
| Verify a bar for investment | Dealer’s assay certificate plus XRF; refiners use fire assay |
Gold Karat and Purity Chart
Purity is the share of pure gold in the metal. Each karat is 1/24 of pure gold, and the hallmark number gives the same figure in parts per thousand:
| Karat | Hallmark | Pure gold | Rate per tola today | Common use in Pakistan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 999 | 99.9% | Rs434,536 | Bars, biscuits and coins |
| 22K | 916 | 91.67% | Rs398,325 | Most bridal and traditional jewellery |
| 21K | 875 | 87.5% | Rs380,219 | Everyday and Gulf-style jewellery |
| 20K | 833 | 83.3% | Rs362,113 | Some local jewellery |
| 18K | 750 | 75% | Rs325,902 | Stone-set and white gold pieces |
| 14K | 585 | 58.5% | Rs253,479 | Light, hard-wearing pieces |
Rates are based on the APGJSA 24K rate of 21 October 2026. Details for each karat: 22K, 21K and 18K gold price.
What Lower-Than-Claimed Purity Costs You
Under-karat jewellery is the most common purity problem. The gold looks the same, but you pay the higher karat’s rate for less gold. On a 2 tola set bought as 22K:
| Actual karat | Real gold value of 2 tola | You overpay |
|---|---|---|
| 22K (as claimed) | Rs796,649 | – |
| 21K | Rs760,438 | Rs36,211 |
| 20K | Rs724,227 | Rs72,423 |
| 18K | Rs651,804 | Rs144,845 |
You lose again when you sell, because the buyer pays for the karat the test shows, then deducts kat.
Gold Hallmark Stamps: What They Mean and Their Limits
A hallmark is a tiny stamp, usually inside a ring or on a clasp, showing the purity (916, 875, 750 and so on) and often the maker’s mark.
- In Pakistan, hallmarks on jewellery are usually stamped by the jeweller or workshop, not by an independent government office, so a stamp is a claim rather than a guarantee.
- Bars from recognised refiners carry the weight, purity (999 or 999.9) and a serial number, often with an assay certificate.
- “KDM” is an old term for a type of solder; it is not a purity grade.
- Stamps such as GP, GF, HGE or RGP mean gold-plated or gold-filled: not solid gold.
- A missing stamp does not prove a piece is fake, especially old jewellery; test it instead.
Gold Purity Tests Compared
| Test | How it works | Accuracy | Damage | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XRF karat meter | X-rays read the metal’s make-up in under a minute | High for solid pieces; reads the surface only | None | Testing labs and larger Sarafa shops |
| Touchstone (kasauti) with acid | A streak on black stone is tested with acids of known strength | Good in skilled hands, roughly ±1 karat | Tiny streak | Most traditional jewellers |
| Fire assay | A sample is melted and the pure gold weighed | Highest; the refiners’ standard | Destroys the sample | Refiners, for bars and large lots |
| Acid test kit at home | A scratch is dabbed with acid | Rough; risky to use | Scratch | Kits sold online |
| Density (water) test | Compares weight in air and in water | Spots light base metals; misses tungsten | None | At home, with an accurate scale |
| Magnet | Gold is not magnetic | Only finds iron or steel | None | At home |
Biting, vinegar, flame and “skin turns green” tests are unreliable and can damage jewellery; ignore them.
Getting an XRF Gold Test in Pakistan
Testing labs in the main Sarafa markets of Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and many larger jewellers in other cities, use XRF machines:
| What to expect | Typical |
|---|---|
| Time | About 30 to 60 seconds per piece |
| Fee | Often a few hundred rupees; some Lahore labs charge about Rs1,000 per sample, while some jewellers test free for customers |
| Result | Karat, purity percentage and other metals such as silver, copper and zinc |
| Certificate | A printed sheet you can show when selling |
Because XRF reads only the surface, a thick gold layer over another metal can fool it. For a heavy piece at a suspiciously low price, ask for a touchstone test as well.
Home Tests: What They Can and Cannot Tell You
| Home test | Can tell you | Cannot tell you |
|---|---|---|
| Price check | If 22K is offered far below Rs34,150 per gram, it is not real 22K | The exact karat |
| Magnet | If there is iron or steel inside | Brass, copper or tungsten fakes |
| Look at worn edges | A different colour showing through means plating | Purity of solid pieces |
| Water density test | If the piece is far too light for gold | 22K vs 21K; tungsten fakes |
Weigh carefully: our gold weight converter turns grams into tola, masha and ratti.
Signs of Gold-Plated or Fake Gold
- Price well below the day’s gold rate for the weight.
- Stamps such as GP, GF, HGE or RGP, or no weight on the receipt.
- A darker or reddish colour on edges and clasps where plating wears off.
- A piece that feels too light for its size.
- Seller unwilling to have it tested or to give a written karat.
When selling, the jeweller tests the karat and then deducts kat; see what is kat in gold.
Step-by-Step: Checking Gold Before You Buy or Sell
- Check today’s rate for the karat on this site.
- Read the hallmark and ask the jeweller to write the karat on the receipt.
- Ask for an XRF test, or test it yourself at a nearby lab.
- Check the net gold weight, excluding stones, enamel and lac.
- For bars, check the serial number against the certificate.
- Keep the receipt and test result together for resale.
Checking Gold Purity: Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check if gold is real in Pakistan?
Read the hallmark, then have the piece tested with an XRF karat meter at a Sarafa testing lab or jeweller; it takes about a minute.
What does 916 mean on gold?
916 means 91.6% pure gold, which is 22K.
What does 875 mean on gold?
875 means 87.5% pure gold, which is 21K.
How much does a gold test cost in Pakistan?
Often a few hundred rupees; some labs charge around Rs1,000 per sample, and some jewellers test free.
Can a magnet test tell if gold is real?
Only if the fake contains iron or steel; brass, copper and tungsten fakes are not magnetic.
Is hallmarking compulsory in Pakistan?
There is no compulsory government hallmarking of jewellery; stamps are usually applied by jewellers, so testing is the reliable check.
Related Gold Rates and Tools
Rates are for information only and exclude making charges, kat and dealer premiums. Not investment advice. See our disclaimer and methodology. Official daily rate source: All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association rates (Business Recorder).
