Fineness is the share of pure precious metal in an item, written in parts per thousand. A bar stamped 999.9 is 99.99% gold; a 22K chain stamped 916 is 91.6% gold.
How fineness is written
Fineness counts pure metal per 1,000 parts of the alloy. It is more precise than karats, which split gold into 24 parts. Bullion uses three or four digits; jewellery in the Emirates often carries both a karat mark and a fineness number.
| Stamp | Pure gold | Where you see it in the UAE |
|---|---|---|
| 999.9 | 99.99% | Kilobars, 1 oz bars, Britannia and Maple Leaf coins |
| 999 / 999.0 | 99.9% | TT bars and many locally refined small bars |
| 995 | 99.5% | Large 400 oz wholesale bars |
| 916 / 916.7 | 91.6% | 22K jewellery, Krugerrand, American Gold Eagle |
| 875 | 87.5% | 21K jewellery, popular with Gulf buyers |
| 750 | 75% | 18K jewellery, often with diamonds |
Why fineness matters more in the UAE than elsewhere
In the UAE, fineness decides tax as well as metal content. Only gold, silver and platinum of 99% purity or more, in a bullion market form, are zero-rated for VAT. A 999 TT bar passes, a 916 coin does not. Read more in our guide to VAT on gold.
Fineness also tells you the fine weight. A 50 g 21K necklace stamped 875 holds 50 × 0.875 = 43.75 g of pure gold. The same weight of 999.9 bullion holds 49.995 g. If a jeweller quotes a price per gram, check whether it is the 21K rate or the 24K rate, then compare with our gold price per gram in AED.
Hallmarks and testing in the Emirates
Precious metals and hallmarking in the UAE are regulated by Federal Law No. 11 of 2015 on Precious Metals and Gemstones Control and Hallmarking. Dubai Central Laboratory, part of Dubai Municipality, is accredited by the Ministry of Economy as a reference laboratory for precious metals and stones and offers testing and hallmarking.
What to look for when you buy:
- Bars: refiner's mark, fineness, weight and a serial number. Refiners on the LBMA or UAE Good Delivery lists are easier to resell.
- Coins: the mint states fineness and fine weight in the design.
- Jewellery: a karat or fineness stamp plus the hallmark. Ask for a tax invoice that states the karat and weight.
A missing or blurry stamp is a reason to walk away, or to pay for a test first. Counterfeit coins copy fineness marks too, so our guide to spotting fake gold and silver coins is worth a read before you buy from a private seller.
Related terms
Karat VAT on Gold in the UAE LBMA Good Delivery
FAQ
What does 999.9 mean on a gold bar?
It means the bar is 99.99% pure gold, the highest standard fineness for bullion.
What is the fineness of 21K gold?
21K gold has a fineness of 875, which means 87.5% pure gold and 12.5% other metals.
Who hallmarks gold in Dubai?
Dubai Central Laboratory, part of Dubai Municipality, tests and hallmarks precious metals under Federal Law No. 11 of 2015.