Gold
8 articles from the Journal
Gold is sold in several purities, and the numbers stamped on it decide its colour, strength and price. These guides compare 14K, 18K and 22K gold for men's pieces, explain what 916 and 750 mean, and show how to verify a BIS hallmark and HUID number. They also explain how making charges are calculated, how white gold compares with platinum, and why a gold chain can darken over time. Read them before buying gold so you can compare quotes on equal terms.
Why Is My Gold Chain Turning Black? Causes and Fixes
A gold chain turning black is usually reacting, not fake: the copper and silver alloyed into 22K, 18K and 14K gold darken with sweat, sulphur and chlorides, and cosmetics grind off fine metal dust that looks black. Soap, warm water and a soft brush fix most cases. Fast blackening on a new chain can mean plating.
AXIOM Journal
Oct 10, 2026
916 vs 750 Gold: What the Numbers Mean on Your Jewellery
916 gold means 22 karat gold: 916 parts of pure gold in every 1,000, or 91.6 percent. The number is the fineness, the metric twin of the karat. 750 means 18 karat (75 percent), 585 means 14 karat (58.5 percent), and on an Indian hallmark it appears next to the karat, as in 22K916.
AXIOM Journal
Oct 10, 2026
14K vs 18K Gold: Colour, Durability and Price Compared
14K gold is 58.5 percent gold and 18K is 75 percent. 14K is harder, paler and cheaper per gram, which suits rings and chains that take hard daily wear. 18K has a richer colour, more gold value and less alloy against the skin. Both are real gold, and both are BIS hallmarked grades in India.
AXIOM Journal
Oct 10, 2026
White Gold vs Platinum for Men: Price, Durability and Upkeep
White gold vs platinum comes down to upkeep against cost. Platinum (Pt950, 95 percent pure) is naturally white, heavier and hypoallergenic, and wears to a soft patina. 18K white gold is lighter and usually cheaper to make, but its rhodium plating needs renewing. For a man with nickel sensitivity or hard wear, platinum; otherwise either works.
AXIOM Journal
Oct 10, 2026
18K vs 22K Gold for Men's Jewellery: Which Is Better?
For most men's jewellery worn every day, 18K gold is the better choice: at 75 percent gold it is harder, holds its shape and keeps diamonds secure. 22K gold, at 91.6 percent, has a richer yellow colour and more gold per gram, which suits plain chains, kadas and pieces bought partly for their gold value.
AXIOM Journal
Oct 10, 2026
HUID Number Check: How to Verify a BIS Hallmark on the BIS Care App
To do a HUID number check, install the free BIS Care app, register your mobile number, open Verify HUID and enter the six character code stamped on the piece. The app shows the article type, purity, the jeweller who had it hallmarked and the hallmarking centre. If those details do not match your piece, do not buy it.
AXIOM Journal
Oct 10, 2026
Gold Making Charges Explained: How They Work and How to Compare
Gold making charges are the fee a jeweller adds to the value of the gold for designing and making a piece. They are quoted either as a fixed amount per gram or as a percentage of the gold value, sometimes with a separate wastage charge. GST at 3 percent then applies to the whole bill, making charges included.
AXIOM Journal
Oct 10, 2026
How to Tell if Gold or Silver Is Real: Hallmarks and Simple Tests
The reliable way to check real gold in India is the BIS hallmark: the BIS logo, a purity grade such as 22K916 and a six character HUID you can verify in the BIS Care app. For silver, look for 925 with the BIS SILVER mark. Home tests like the magnet or streak test only catch crude fakes.
AXIOM Journal
May 26, 2026