Finance Desk – Akshaya Tritiya is a lucky day in India to buy gold. It’s believed to bring good luck and wealth. Many people buy gold coins or bars on this day—but before you buy, there’s one thing you should know: the difference between 999 and 995 gold.
What Is 999 and 995 Gold?
When you see 999 or 995 marked on gold, it shows how pure the gold is:
999 = 99.9% pure gold
995 = 99.5% pure gold
Both are called 24K gold, but 999 is just a little purer than 995. This difference comes from tiny natural impurities in gold.
Which One Should You Pick?
999 gold is more pure, so it’s a bit more expensive.
995 gold is also pure and good for buying, especially in coins or some ornaments.
If you’re buying gold as an investment, go for 999 or 999.9 marked coins or bars.
Can You Get 24K Gold Jewellery?
24K gold is very soft, so it’s rarely used for jewellery. Most jewellery is made from 22K or 18K gold which is mixed with other metals to make it stronger.
Still, some 24K pendants, coins, or religious items may be available during the festival.
In a few places like western India, you may even find 23K jewellery, which is a little less pure but still valuable.
What Is Hallmarking?
Since June 2021, the government has made hallmarking compulsory for gold items in 14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, 23K, and 24K.
For 24K gold, 995 purity is the official standard.
Even though hallmarking is not compulsory for coins and bars, it’s always safe to buy hallmarked gold to ensure it’s real and trusted.
