* Gold hallmark
The K14 hallmark: meaning, purity & value
14-karat gold (58.5% by mass). Dominant in US jewelry production. Harder and more durable than K18, more affordable. Slightly less saturated yellow tone in yellow-gold variants.
Published May 30, 2026
Quick facts
- Metal
- Gold
- Purity
- 58.5%
- Fineness
- 585/1000
- Karat
- 14K
- Common regions
- Japan, United States
- Density
- 13.4 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 882 °C
- Standard
- ISO 9202
Stamps that mean the same thing
This purity may be struck into jewelry as any of: K14 / 14K / 585 / 14金 / Au585. The mark differs by country and era, but the metal content is identical.
What K14 tells you
14-karat gold (58.5% by mass). Dominant in US jewelry production. Harder and more durable than K18, more affordable. Slightly less saturated yellow tone in yellow-gold variants.
How to value it
The melt value of a K14 piece is gold spot price × 0.585 × weight (g). A buyer typically deducts 5–15% for assay, refining, and margin, so the cash offer lands just under that figure. Stones and complex settings are usually excluded from the metal weight.
How to check it yourself
- Examine the stamp under a 10× loupe — genuine marks are crisp and evenly struck, not doubled or smeared.
- Confirm the mark reads K14 or an equivalent such as 14K.
- Weigh the piece and estimate its volume — the density should land near 13.4 g/cm³ for this alloy.
- Photograph it in the Jewelry Identifier app to read the metal, hallmark, and any gemstones from the image.
- For a binding result, have an assay office or gemological lab run an XRF purity test.
Sources
- FTC Jewelry Guide 16 CFR Part 23
- ISO 9202:2019
- Wikidata Q21039
* Frequently asked
FAQ
- Q. Is K14 the same as 14K?
- A. Yes. K14, 14K, 585, 14金, Au585 all denote the same material — 58.5% gold. Different markets and eras stamp it differently, but the purity is identical.
- Q. How much is K14 worth?
- A. Its melt value is the gold spot price × 0.585 × the weight in grams. Buyers then deduct roughly 5–15% for refining and margin, so a quoted buy-back price sits a little below that theoretical figure.
- Q. How do I confirm a K14 stamp is genuine?
- A. Look at the mark under 10× magnification for crisp, even strikes, cross-check the weight-to-volume ratio against the expected density (13.4 g/cm³ for this alloy), scan it with the Jewelry Identifier app, and — when it matters — have an XRF test done by an assay office or gemological lab.
* Try it
Identify the jewelry in your hand, right now.
Just take a photo — AI reads the metal, gemstone, hallmark, era, and an estimated value range in seconds. First two scans free, no account required.
Download on the App Store* Related
Keep exploring
K18 hallmark
What the K18 hallmark means: 75.0% gold, how to read it on rings and necklaces, its scrap value formula, and how to tell it apart from look-alike stamps.
K10 hallmark
What the K10 hallmark means: 41.7% gold, how to read it on rings and necklaces, its scrap value formula, and how to tell it apart from look-alike stamps.
585 hallmark
What the 585 hallmark means: 58.5% gold, how to read it on rings and necklaces, its scrap value formula, and how to tell it apart from look-alike stamps.