585 Gold (14 Carat)
Also: 14 Carat, 14k, 585, 14ct, 14K Gold
585 gold is a gold alloy with a fineness of 585 parts per thousand (58.5%), corresponding internationally to the 14-carat standard and widely used in the jewellery sector.
585 gold – also known as 14-carat gold – is one of the most widely used gold alloys in jewellery worldwide. The stamp "585" means that of 1,000 parts by weight, exactly 585 parts are pure gold. The remaining 415 parts consist of alloying metals such as silver, copper, zinc or palladium, which deliberately influence the colour, hardness and workability of the metal. You can determine the current value of your 585 pieces directly in the melt value calculator.
Origin and meaning of the carat stamp
The carat system divides the purity of gold into 24 equal parts. 14 carats therefore means: 14 of 24 parts are fine gold.
Fineness = Carat / 24 × 1000
14 / 24 × 1000 = 583.33 ‰ ≈ 585 ‰
The rounded trade value "585" is in practice the official hallmark, since an exact 583 alloy is barely producible — in fact the alloy contains at least 585 parts per thousand of gold, often marginally more. In the USA only the carat designation "14K" is used, while in Germany and the EU the per-mille stamp "585" is common. Both designations are legally equivalent.
Composition and colours
Depending on the mixing ratio of the alloying metals, a different colour results:
| Colour | Gold | Silver | Copper | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow gold (classic) | 58.5% | ~25% | ~15% | ≤1.5% Zn |
| Rose gold / red gold | 58.5% | ~8.5% | ~33% | – |
| White gold (Pd) | 58.5% | ~24% | ~3% | ~14.5% Pd |
| White gold (Ni) | 58.5% | ~10% | ~20% | ~11.5% Ni + Zn |
| Green gold | 58.5% | ~35% | ~6.5% | – |
Nickel-containing white gold can trigger contact allergies in sensitive people; in the EU the permissible nickel release from jewellery in prolonged skin contact is limited by the REACH Regulation (Annex XVII, entry 27), tested to standard EN 1811. Palladium white gold is the more skin-friendly alternative.
Why 585 gold for jewellery?
Compared with pure fine gold (999.9 ‰), 585 gold offers clear practical advantages:
- Hardness: Fine gold (Mohs hardness ~2.5) is too soft for everyday jewellery. 585 gold reaches a Vickers hardness of 120–170 HV depending on the alloy — resistant to scratches.
- Workability: Better casting and soldering properties for fine settings and delicate structures.
- Economy: With a fine gold content of 58.5%, the material value is considerably cheaper than 750 gold (18 carat), appealing to broader buyer groups.
- Colour variety: Targeted alloying produces yellow, red, rose, green and white gold variants from the same base purity.
Compared with 333 gold (8 carat, 33.3% gold) and 375 gold (9 carat), 585 gold offers a considerably higher precious-metal content, which is also valued more highly on purchase and resale.
Calculating melt value
The material value of a 585 piece is derived from the current gold price and the fine weight:
Melt value = Weight (g) × 0.585 × Gold price (€/g)
Example: A 585 gold ring weighing 5 g at a gold price of 85 €/g:
5 g × 0.585 × 85 €/g = 248.63 €
This is the pure material value without processing surcharge, dealer margin or collector premium. Use the melt value calculator for up-to-date calculations or the gold calculator for different weight units.
Hallmarking requirements
In the EU, jewellery and watch cases made of 585 gold are subject to a hallmarking requirement. Permitted stamps:
- 585 (per-mille stamp, EU standard)
- 14K or 14kt (US/GB notation)
- 14C or 14ct (older British notation)
- Maker's mark or responsibility mark
The Vienna Hallmarking Convention of 1972 facilitates the mutual recognition of hallmarks among the member states (including Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland and others). Pieces from non-member countries may additionally bear national import hallmarks.
Dental gold alloys on a 585 basis (e.g. older dental bridges and crowns) fall under the same purity category and can likewise be valued using the dental gold calculator.
585 gold in comparison
| Alloy | Carat | Fineness | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 333 gold | 8 carats | 33.3% | Entry segment, rare in UK/Ireland |
| 375 gold | 9 carats | 37.5% | UK, Australia, entry jewellery |
| 585 gold | 14 carats | 58.5% | Jewellery, dental, USA/DE/Eastern Europe |
| 750 gold | 18 carats | 75.0% | High-quality jewellery, CH/IT/FR |
| 916 gold | 22 carats | 91.6% | Coins, Indian gold jewellery |
| 999 gold | 24 carats | 99.9% | Bars, investment coins |
In North America and Eastern Europe, 14 carat is the dominant jewellery alloy; in Western Europe and Switzerland, 750 gold (18 carat) is more often regarded as the quality standard. For pure investment products (bars, bullion coins), only fine gold (999/999.9) is customary on the market.
Tax notes (Malta)
The purchase of 585 gold jewellery is subject to VAT at the Maltese standard rate of 18%, because jewellery is not tax-exempt investment gold. Under EU law, transposed into Maltese law via Council Directive 2006/112/EC, the VAT exemption applies only to investment gold — i.e. gold bars of at least 995 fineness and certain investment coins of at least 900 fineness that were minted after 1800 and were or are legal tender.
For private sellers: Malta levies no capital gains tax on private disposals of movable assets such as gold jewellery. Maltese capital gains tax applies only to specific asset categories (immovable property, securities, business interests and similar). There is no German-style one-year speculation period. Note: This is not tax or investment advice; for binding information contact a tax adviser (cfr.gov.mt, legislation.mt).
In brief
585 gold combines an economically attractive gold content of 58.5% with high everyday suitability and colour variety — it is the world's best-selling jewellery alloy and at the same time a solid material value that you can check up to date at any time with the melt value calculator.