When you visit a gold buyer in Madurai to sell your jewellery, one of the first things that happens is a purity test. A machine is used, a number appears on the screen, and the buyer uses that number to calculate your payout. But most sellers have no idea what that number actually means or how to verify it.
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Understanding the purity test report takes only a few minutes to learn. Once you know what each number represents, you can confidently verify the reading yourself and ensure you are being paid the correct amount for your gold.
What Is a Gold Purity Test
A gold purity test determines how much actual gold is present in your jewellery as a percentage of its total weight. Since most gold jewellery is not 100% pure gold — it is alloyed with other metals like copper or silver to add strength — the purity test identifies exactly how much of the total weight is genuine gold.
The most commonly used method at trusted buyers in Madurai is XRF testing — X-Ray Fluorescence. This is a non-destructive machine-based test that analyses the metal composition of your jewellery without melting, scratching, or damaging it in any way. The result appears in seconds and is highly accurate.
The Key Numbers on a Purity Test Report
When a purity test is completed, the result typically shows two key values:
Karat value: This tells you the purity of your gold expressed as a karat number — 24K, 22K, 18K, or 14K. Most Indian jewellery falls in the 22K or 18K range.
Percentage or fineness: This is the actual percentage of gold in your jewellery. Here is how karat and percentage relate:
- 24 Karat — 999 fineness — 99.9% pure gold
- 22 Karat — 916 fineness — 91.6% pure gold
- 18 Karat — 750 fineness — 75.0% pure gold
- 14 Karat — 585 fineness — 58.5% pure gold
The fineness number — 916, 750, 585 — is the same number stamped on BIS hallmarked jewellery. If the machine shows 916 and your jewellery is stamped 916, the readings match and the test is accurate.
How the Purity Reading Affects Your Payout
The purity percentage directly determines how much of your jewellery’s weight counts as gold for payment purposes. Here is an example:
Your jewellery weighs 10 grams and the machine shows 22 karat or 91.6% purity. This means 9.16 grams out of 10 grams is pure gold. If today’s 22 karat gold rate in Madurai is Rs. 13,000 per gram, your payout is calculated as:
10 x 91.6% x 13,000 = Rs. 1,18,880
If the machine had shown 18 karat instead — meaning 75% purity — the same 10 gram piece would fetch:
10 x 75% x 10,200 = Rs. 76,500
This is why the purity reading matters so much. Even a one or two karat difference significantly changes the amount you receive.
How to Verify the Purity Reading Yourself
You do not need any technical knowledge to verify the reading. Here is what to do:
Check your hallmark stamp: Look for a number stamped on your jewellery — 916, 750, or 585. This is the BIS hallmark fineness. The machine reading should match this number. If it does not, ask the buyer to explain the difference.
Watch the screen during testing: The buyer should show you the machine screen clearly as the reading appears. Do not accept a verbal report alone — ask to see the actual reading on the device.
Cross-check with the bill: If you have the original purchase bill, the karat should be mentioned on it. Compare this with the machine result. Minor differences of one or two points in fineness are sometimes normal but a large discrepancy should be questioned.
What to Do If the Reading Seems Wrong
If the purity reading shown by the buyer seems lower than what your bill or hallmark indicates, you have every right to question it. Ask the buyer to run the test again in front of you. You can also request that the machine’s calibration certificate be shown to confirm it is functioning accurately.
A trustworthy buyer will have no issue demonstrating the test again or explaining the reading in detail. Reluctance to do so is a signal to reconsider the transaction.
Sell Your Gold at Yellow Gold Point, Madurai
At Yellow Gold Point, purity testing is done in front of every customer using a certified karat testing machine. The reading is shown clearly on screen and explained before any calculation is made. There are no hidden adjustments to the purity figure — what the machine shows is what is used in your payout calculation.
Address: 1st Floor, SMR Complex, 72/205, S Masi Street, Madurai Main, Madurai – 625001
Call: 9344307004
Walk in with your gold and a valid ID. No appointment needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What machine is used to test gold purity at buyers in Madurai?
Most trusted gold buyers use an XRF machine — X-Ray Fluorescence analyser. It tests gold purity non-destructively in seconds without melting or scratching the jewellery. The result is accurate to within a fraction of a percentage point.
Q2. What does 916 mean on a gold purity test report?
916 is the fineness value for 22 karat gold. It means 91.6% of the jewellery’s weight is pure gold. This is the most common purity for Indian gold jewellery and the standard used for most gold transactions in Madurai.
Q3. Can the purity test damage my gold jewellery?
No. XRF machine-based purity testing is completely non-destructive. Your jewellery is placed near the machine sensor for a few seconds and the reading is generated without any physical contact, melting, or scratching.
Q4. What if the machine reading does not match the hallmark on my jewellery?
Minor differences of one or two fineness points can occur due to alloy distribution within the jewellery. A large discrepancy should be questioned. Ask the buyer to repeat the test and show you the calibration certificate for the machine.
Q5. Is acid testing still used for gold purity in Madurai?
Some smaller buyers still use acid testing. However it is less accurate than XRF machine testing and can slightly damage the surface of your jewellery. Always choose a buyer who uses a certified karat testing machine for a non-destructive and more precise result.