What is 417 gold? Is It Real or Fake? Caring Tips.

Published: 05 Feb 2025

You’ve probably seen jewelry labeled as 417 gold. However, many people who are from Europe and interested in buying gold jewelry know exactly what 417 gold is.

But the people who are not interested in buying gold jewelry or are outside of Europe become confused when they hear about 417 gold.

Just briefly, 417 gold is another name for 10-karat gold containing 41.7% pure gold and 58.3% other metals like silver, copper, or nickel.

Here is a detailed guide on what 417 gold is, why it’s called 417 instead of 10-karat gold, what are its key properties, how you can care for it, and what are its advantages and disadvantages.

So, guys, let’s come and kickstart the deep guide.

What Is 417 Gold? Why Is It Called 417?

So guys, as I told you before, 417 gold Is just another name for 10-karat gold.

It is made by mixing pure gold with some other metals, especially silver, copper,, and nickel, with a specific ratio that is 41.7% pure gold and 58.3% other metals.

If we talk about why it’s called 417 gold instead of 10k gold, first of all, we will need to understand what the Hallmarking system is and why it was invented.

Understanding the Hallmarking System

The hallmarking system is a method that was first invented in Europe to categorically show the purity level of gold.

However different countries use different ways of marking gold. For example

In the U.S. and Canada, gold is usually measured in karats (K), where 24K is pure gold. So, 10K gold means 10 parts gold out of 24.

But In Europe and other parts of the world, gold purity is stamped using a Hallmark three-digit number that represents the percentage of gold.

These numbers range from 333 to 999, with 333 (or 8 karat) being the lowest gold purity level and 999 being simply 24k pure gold.

Here is a short overview of other Hallmark numbers.

999: 24k or 99.9% pure gold.
916 or 917: both are Hallmark stamps used to represent 22k gold containing 91.3% pure gold.
750: simply 18 karat gold that is almost 75% pure.
583 or 585: The Hallmark stamps used to represent 14k gold.
417: simply 10k gold we are discussing.
375: 9-karat gold. But guys, you will not find it in the USA because, according to FTC rules, making 9k or 375 gold is illegal in the US.
333: 333 is 8k gold, which is illegal to produce in the USA but legal in Europe.

So guys, now you know exactly what 417 means on gold jewelry and why some types of gold are called 417 gold.

But do you know how you can identify if gold is real 417 gold? So let’s take a brief overview.

How Can You Identify Real 417 (10k) Gold?

There are various techniques to check if gold is real 417 gold.

But if you are not a jeweler, you have only one easy-peasy method and that is

Checking for hallmark stamps

Look at your jewelry and find 417, 10k, 10kt, or 10kp stamps. These stamps are usually placed in discrete locations of jewelry like inside rings, near the clasps of chains, or on the back of pendants.

If you see one of any of the above stamps, then congrats to you, your jewelry is 100% genuine 417 gold.

But if you don’t see any of these stamps, that doesn’t mean your gold is fake.

This is because many times, if the jewelry is too old, then these stamps become less visible. So, in this case, first, you should clean the jewelry and then use a magnifier to find these stamps.

If you don’t have a magnifier, you can go to your nearby jeweler for help, he can easily identify your gold using specialized tools and methods.

Is 417 Real Gold?

Gold Bars And Mangnifier To Check If Gold Is 417

Of course, yes, 417 is real gold as it contains 41.7% pure gold.

The remaining 58.3% is made up of other metals like copper, silver, nickel, or zinc to improve strength and durability.

However, it has less gold content than 14K, 18K, or 24K gold; it is still considered genuine gold and also holds resale value.

417 Gold Maintenance.

So guys, as we know, 417 gold is more durable than other gold alloys. But still, maintenance is for everything.

Here are some helpful tips that I shared for you to clean and keep your 417 gold safe for a long time.

How to Clean Your 417 Gold.

Follow these steps to clean your jewelry.

First of all, fill a small bowl with warm water and add a few drops of mild dish soap.
In the second step, soak your 417 gold jewelry in the solution for about 15-20 minutes.
Now, take your jewelry out of the solution and scrub it gently using the soft toothbrush. Try to especially focus on crevices where dirt may accumulate.
So in the last step, rinse the jewelry with clean water and pat it dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots.

How to Keep Your 417 Gold Safe for the Future.

Here are some helpful tips to follow that will ensure your jewelry stays safe and top-notch for years to come.

Store jewelry properly: Always store your 417 gold pieces in a soft, lined jewelry box or a pouch to prevent scratches. Avoid keeping them in the same compartment as other jewelry that may cause abrasion.
Avoid exposure to chemicals: Keep your 10k gold jewelry away from harsh chemicals, including perfume, lotions, and cleaning products. These products act like the toxic acids for 10k gold and can chemically react with it and can cause damage.

Remove jewelry before strenuous activities: Take off your jewelry when engaging in activities like working out, swimming in chlorinated water, or using cleaning agents, as these can cause wear and tear.
Clean regularly: Cleaning is the key to keeping jewelry safe for years. Follow the steps I shared above and regularly clean your jewelry once or twice every month.

What Are the Advantages of 417 Gold?

417 gold offers various benefits as compared to other gold types.

The primary benefit of 417 gold is its durability as it doesn’t scratch quickly.

Here are some other benefits that you gain if you own 417 gold jewelry.

It’s ideal for daily wear as it’s resistant to scratches or bending.
This gold is more affordable than higher-karat options, making it a budget-friendly choice for everyone.
It is long-lasting as compared to purple gold, and higher karat gold as it has a higher amount of other strong metals.
Maintenance is simple since it does not tarnish or fade as quickly as softer gold

What Are the Disadvantages of 417 Gold?

If you buy 417 gold, you must know what downsides it has, as it will help you make the right choices.

The disadvantages of buying 417 gold include,

It is less pure than higher-karat gold, which means it doesn’t have the deep yellow color that many people associate with real gold.
The presence of other metals like copper and nickel can make 417 gold prone to tarnishing over time, especially if exposed to moisture or harsh chemicals.
The lower gold content means it has less resale value compared to 14K, 18K, or 24K gold.
Some people who have sensitive skin can experience skin irritation as this gold usually contains nickel.

Interesting Facts About 417 Gold

417 gold is a popular choice for men’s jewelry because it is durable and affordable.
It is often used for engagement rings due to its strength.
Jewelry makers mix 417 gold with higher-karat gold to create designs that are both strong and luxurious.
417 gold is used in making watches, medals, and other ornamental items.
It has a lower environmental impact because it can be made with recycled materials.