The numerical designation “750” stamped on gold items indicates the precious metal’s purity. This number signifies that the item is composed of 75% pure gold, with the remaining 25% consisting of other metals such as silver, copper, or zinc. This mixture, often referred to as an alloy, is crucial for enhancing the durability and workability of the gold. As an example, a ring marked with “750” contains 750 parts gold per 1000 parts of the total metal content.
This level of gold purity, corresponding to 18 karats, offers a favorable balance between the inherent value of gold and the practical requirements for creating long-lasting jewelry and other gold objects. The addition of other metals increases the material’s resistance to scratches and deformation, making it more suitable for everyday wear. Historically, alloying gold has been a common practice to achieve desired color variations, such as rose gold (achieved by increasing copper content) or white gold (using metals like palladium or nickel).
