💍 18k? 925? 999? Why Purity Marks Leave Consumers Confused.
Introduction
Imagine walking into a jewellery store. You see:
- A ring marked “18k”
- A bracelet stamped “925”
- A bullion coin labelled “999”
Which is purer? Which is more valuable? Which number even means what?
For most buyers, the answer is far from obvious.
The Problem with Mixed Systems
The truth is, every metal seems to follow its own rulebook:
- Gold → measured in karats (18k = 75% pure).
- Silver → measured in parts per thousand (925 = 92.5% pure).
- Platinum → usually stamped as 950 or 999.
- Copper → usually ignored altogether, despite purity being critical for conductivity and value.
This patchwork system doesn’t just complicate things — it actively confuses consumers and creates unnecessary mistrust in the marketplace.
Evidence of Confusion
- Surveys show less than 30% of consumers can accurately explain what “925” means.
- Many assume “18k” refers to 18% purity, rather than 18 out of 24 parts (75%).
- The term “Sterling” is a cultural tradition, not a universal measurement — meaningless to those outside the English-speaking world.
The result? A buyer can walk out of a store misinformed, undervaluing or overvaluing a purchase simply because purity marks lack consistency.
The KPS™ Connection
This is exactly the kind of confusion the Karat Purity Scale™ (KPS™) eliminates.
With one universal system, purity finally becomes transparent:
- 18k Gold (75%) → KPS™ 18K Au
- Sterling Silver 925 (92.5%) → KPS™ 22K Ag
- Fine Copper (99.9%) → KPS™ 24K Cu
One scale. One language. One number everyone understands — from jewellers to investors to everyday buyers.
“Purity marks should build trust, not confusion. KPS™ restores clarity with one simple universal scale.”
Final Thought
The carob seed gave us karats. Sterling gave us 925. But what we’re left with today is a tangle of traditions that confuse buyers more than they help them.
With KPS™, the contradictions vanish. Purity becomes universal, transparent, and fair across all metals.
