MELBOURNE, Australia — Here is something most jewellery brands do not tell you: in Australia, there is no legal requirement to hallmark jewellery. No government body tests precious metals before they go on sale. No assay office verifies that a piece stamped “9K” actually contains 37.5% gold. According to the State Library of Victoria, Australia and New Zealand do not have official government-controlled assaying offices — jewellers can stamp purity marks on their work, but the buyer has no independent guarantee.
This matters because it means the information on a piece of jewellery is only as trustworthy as the brand selling it. A stamp is a claim, not a certification. And in a market where plated jewellery is sometimes sold alongside or in place of solid gold, knowing how to read that claim — and verify it — is genuinely useful.
Here is how to do it.
Step One: Find the Stamp
The first thing to look for on any piece of gold jewellery is a stamp. Almost all solid gold pieces are stamped — and the stamp tells you what the piece is made of, if you know how to read it.
“The first thing I ask customers is to look for a stamp,” says Christina, Founder of Quarter Carat. “These days, almost all solid gold pieces are stamped. Usually inside a ring or earring, or at the ends of a chain — if you look closely you’ll see it. 6K, 9K, 18K, or the karat in numbers: 0.25, 0.375, 0.75.”
Where to look:
- Rings: inside the band
- Necklaces and bracelets: on the clasp or at the end of the chain nearest the clasp
- Earrings: on the post or the back of the stud
- Pendants: on the bail (the loop that connects the pendant to the chain)
The numbers to know:
- 999 or 24K — 99.9% pure gold. Too soft for most everyday jewellery.
- 750 or 18K — 75% pure gold. Fine jewellery standard.
- 585 or 14K — 58.5% pure gold. Common in US and European markets.
- 375 or 9K — 37.5% pure gold. Australian fine jewellery standard.
- 250 or 6K — 25% pure gold. Quarter Carat’s proprietary solid gold alloy.
If you see letters rather than numbers — GP (gold plated), GF (gold filled), GEP (gold electroplate), RGP (rolled gold plate) — the piece is not solid gold. The gold is a surface coating over a base metal.
Step Two: Know What the Stamp Does (and Does Not) Guarantee
This is the part most guides skip. A stamp on Australian jewellery is a declaration by the manufacturer, not a verified certification. There is no Australian equivalent of the UK’s Hallmarking Act, which legally requires precious metals to be tested and stamped by an independent assay office before sale. In Australia, a jeweller can stamp 9K on a piece without any independent verification that the piece is, in fact, 9K gold.
This is not a reason to panic — the vast majority of Australian jewellers stamp their pieces accurately, because their reputation depends on it. But it is a reason to buy from brands with a track record of transparency and customer reviews that confirm pieces perform as described.
Quarter Carat stamps every piece with the karat (6K) and the QC logo. Not because the law requires it. Because it is the right thing to do.
“We stamp everything,” Christina says. “The karat and our logo, on every piece. There are no hallmarking laws in Australia — we do it because our customers deserve to know exactly what they are wearing. The stamp is our guarantee.”
Step Three: At-Home Tests
If you have a piece without a clear stamp, or want to verify what you have, these are the most reliable at-home checks:
The magnet test: Solid gold is not magnetic. Hold a strong magnet near the piece. If it attracts strongly, the piece contains significant iron or steel and is not solid gold. This is the fastest screening test and eliminates obvious fakes immediately.
The ceramic streak test: Drag the piece across an unglazed ceramic surface (the bottom of a mug works). Solid gold leaves a gold streak. Fake gold or heavily plated pieces leave a black streak. Do this only on a discreet part of the piece as it will leave a minor mark.
The skin test over time: Plated jewellery eventually reacts with skin as the coating wears through — green marks, discolouration, or skin irritation are signs the base metal is being exposed. Solid gold does not cause these reactions because the material is consistent throughout. This is a long-term test, not an immediate one.
Professional XRF testing: The most accurate verification is an XRF (X-ray fluorescence) test at a reputable jeweller. Non-destructive, accurate within minutes, and most Australian jewellers will do it for free or a small fee. If you have a piece of significant value or sentimental importance and are unsure, this is worth doing.
What Makes 6K Different
Quarter Carat’s 6K alloy contains 25% pure gold with silver, copper and zinc — no nickel, no brass, no cobalt. The gold runs all the way through every piece. When you find the 6K stamp and the QC logo on a Quarter Carat piece, that is what it is confirming: solid gold alloy, 25% pure gold, made to our proprietary composition, all the way through.
The stamp on the inside of the Crossover Ring. On the clasp of the Fine Paperclip Bracelet. At the end of the Fine Paperclip Necklace chain. 6K and the QC logo. That is the whole answer to the question of whether it’s good.
Pieces start from $149. The stamp is there if you look for it.
About Quarter Carat
Quarter Carat is Australia’s first 6K solid gold jewellery label, founded by Christina Loccisano and backed by over 30 years of fine jewellery industry expertise. The 6K alloy is a proprietary blend of gold, silver, copper and zinc — no nickel, no brass, no cobalt — solid all the way through, hypoallergenic, and designed for every ordinary moment. Every piece is stamped with the karat and the QC logo. Pieces start from $149. Shop at quartercarat.com.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a legal hallmarking requirement for gold jewellery in Australia?
No. Unlike the UK, Australia does not have a legal hallmarking system requiring independent verification of precious metal purity before sale. Australian jewellers can stamp purity marks on their pieces voluntarily, but there is no government assay office testing pieces before they reach consumers. This makes brand reputation and customer reviews important factors when buying gold jewellery in Australia.
How do I tell if my gold jewellery is solid or plated?
Start with the stamp. Solid gold pieces are typically stamped with a karat number (6K, 9K, 18K) or millesimal fineness (250, 375, 750) inside the band, on the clasp, or at the end of the chain. If you see GP, GF, GEP, or RGP, the piece is plated. Without a stamp, the magnet test (solid gold is not magnetic) and ceramic streak test (solid gold leaves a gold streak, not black) are the most reliable at-home checks.
What does a 6K stamp mean on jewellery?
A 6K stamp indicates a solid gold alloy containing 25% pure gold (also written as 0.25 or 250). The remaining 75% is other metals — in Quarter Carat’s case, silver, copper and zinc with no nickel, brass or cobalt. 6K sits below the Australian consumer law minimum of 9K to be legally described as gold jewellery, but the gold is genuinely solid throughout the piece.
What stamps should I look for on Quarter Carat pieces?
Every Quarter Carat piece is stamped with two marks: the karat (6K) and the QC logo. These appear on the inside of rings, on clasps of bracelets and necklaces, and on earring posts. The 6K stamp confirms the gold content; the QC logo confirms the piece is an authentic Quarter Carat product.
Can I test gold jewellery at home?
Yes, with limitations. The magnet test (gold is not magnetic — strong attraction suggests base metals) and ceramic streak test (gold leaves a gold streak, not black) are the most accessible home tests. Skin discolouration over time also indicates plating wearing through. For definitive verification, an XRF test at a reputable jeweller is the most accurate option and is often free or low-cost in Australia.