Start with the hallmark: every gold piece sold in Saudi Arabia must be hallmarked with its karat, and the number tells you the purity: 875 is 21K, 750 18K, 916 22K and 999 24K. Then ask for an invoice showing the karat, weight and price per gram. If the piece is expensive or from an unknown source, have it tested with an XRF machine at a testing centre before you pay. The difference is worth it: today 21K is 408.86 SAR per gram and 18K is 350.45 SAR.
How can I check that gold is real and find its true karat?
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Step 1: look for the hallmark
The hallmark is not a courtesy from the shop; it is a legal requirement. Article 4 of the Precious Metals and Gemstones Law bans selling, displaying or holding precious metal bars and items for sale unless they carry the Kingdom's hallmark.
Article 8 sets out how hallmarking works: items are hallmarked according to their karat, at one of the official karats set by the Ministry of Commerce, and plated pieces are stamped with the word مطلي (matli, meaning plated). So if you find that word on a piece, it isn't solid gold.
| Number on the hallmark | Karat | Gold content |
|---|---|---|
| 999 | 24K | 99.9% |
| 916 | 22K | 91.6% |
| 875 | 21K | 87.5% |
| 750 | 18K | 75% |
The hallmark is usually somewhere hidden:
- Inside the band on rings
- By the clasp or behind the pendant on chains
- On the inner side of bracelets
If you can't find it, ask the seller to show you where it is with a magnifying glass. If there is no hallmark at all, don't buy.
Step 2: ask for an itemised invoice
According to Okaz, the Ministry of Commerce requires gold shops to write the price per gram and the total price of each piece, and the invoice must show the karat and the weight of the gold and any stones. The invoice is your proof of the karat you paid for, and you need it if there is a dispute or when you sell the piece later.
Step 3: simple tests (rough only)
These give you an indication, but they don't replace proper testing:
- Magnet: gold is not attracted to a magnet. If a piece is clearly attracted, it probably contains another metal. But no attraction doesn't prove it is genuine, because some metals aren't magnetic.
- The hallmark itself: check that the number is clear and not worn down or altered.
- Weight and feel: gold is heavy for its size, but telling it apart this way takes experience.
Step 4: specialist testing (the most accurate)
- XRF machine: measures the gold content accurately without harming the piece. Many large gold shops and testing centres have one.
- Acid test: carried out by a specialist, and gives the karat approximately.
If the piece is expensive, or you are buying from an individual rather than a licensed shop, ask for a test by a neutral party before you pay.
Karat fraud is a crime
Article 14 of the law punishes anyone who cheats on the type, weight or karat of precious metals, and anyone who sells or displays unhallmarked items, with up to two years in prison, a fine of up to SAR 400,000, or either penalty. If you doubt a piece you have bought, report it to the Ministry of Commerce on the unified number 1900.
How much does the karat change the price?
A 10 g 21K piece holds 4,088.60 SAR of gold today, and the same weight in 18K holds 3,504.51 SAR. So if you are sold 18K as 21K, the difference in the gold alone is large, before the making charge and VAT. The difference between the two karats is in What is the difference between 21K and 18K gold?, and the value of any weight and karat is in the gold calculator.
If you are looking for somewhere to buy, see where to buy gold in Saudi Arabia.
Sources
- Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers: Precious Metals and Gemstones Law: Article 4 (hallmarking), Article 8 (how items are hallmarked) and Article 14 (penalties) (Arabic).
- Ministry of Commerce, via Okaz: Ministry of Commerce explains: free competition (Arabic, 18 November 2020): what the invoice must show.
- Ministry of Commerce (Arabic): reports on 1900.
Frequently asked questions
What does the number 875 on gold mean?
It means the piece holds 875 parts of gold in every 1,000, or 87.5%, which is 21K. The number 750 means 18K.
Is it legal to sell gold without a hallmark in Saudi Arabia?
No. The Precious Metals and Gemstones Law bans selling items or displaying them for sale unless they carry the Kingdom's hallmark, and it punishes anyone who breaks this.
Is the magnet test enough?
No. It catches some fraud, but some metals aren't magnetic. The hallmark, the invoice and an XRF test are more accurate.
What do I do if I find the karat is lower than stated?
Keep the invoice and the piece, and report it to the Ministry of Commerce on 1900. Karat fraud is an offence punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 400,000.
How big is the price difference between 21K and 18K?
Today 21K is 408.86 SAR per gram and 18K is 350.45 SAR, because 21K is 87.5% gold and 18K is 75%.