The Science of Gold Purity
Karatology exists for one reason: to make gold purity education accessible, accurate, and free for everyone. Whether you are buying your first gold ring or evaluating an estate collection, we give you the knowledge to make confident decisions.
Our Mission
Gold purity is a subject surrounded by confusion, jargon, and misinformation. Consumers search for answers about hallmarks like "585" or "750," wonder whether their jewelry is genuine, and struggle to compare karat values -- yet most online resources are shallow, outdated, or biased toward selling a product.
Karatology changes that. Our name means "the science of karat," and we treat gold purity with the rigor it deserves. Every guide on this site is written to educate first and monetize second. We combine expert-written content, interactive tools, and real-time market data into a single trusted destination -- think of us as the Investopedia of gold purity.
What We Offer
Expert Guides
In-depth articles on gold karats, hallmarks, testing methods, and buying strategies -- all fact-checked and regularly updated.
Browse ArticlesInteractive Tools
A karat calculator, stamp decoder, purity converter, and authenticity quiz that give you instant, actionable answers.
Try Our ToolsLive Market Data
Real-time gold spot prices so you always know the current value of the metal in your jewelry or investment.
View PricesOur Editorial Standards
Every piece of content on Karatology goes through a rigorous editorial process. We do not publish thin, recycled material. Instead, our team of precious metal experts produces original research and analysis grounded in authoritative sources.
When we make factual claims about gold purity, composition, or testing methods, we cite primary references including:
- ISO 9202 -- the international standard defining gold alloy fineness designations
- ISO 11426 -- the standard for fire assay and cupellation analysis of gold
- FTC Jewelry Guides -- U.S. Federal Trade Commission guidelines for precious metal marketing
Each article is 1,500 to 3,000 words of substantive content, includes original tables or comparison charts, and links to related guides so you can explore topics in depth. Read more about our process on our Editorial Policy page.
Why Trust Us
Karatology is fully independent. We are not owned by a jewelry retailer, a gold dealer, or a refinery. No brand affiliation influences which products we recommend or how we present information. Our editorial content is never shaped by advertisers.
We do earn revenue through affiliate partnerships with reputable retailers. When you purchase through one of our links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These partnerships help keep Karatology free, but they never affect our ratings, recommendations, or analysis. Every page containing affiliate links includes a clear disclosure. You can read the full details on our Affiliate Disclosure page.
The Team Behind Karatology
The Karatology team brings together precious metal specialists, gemologists, and content strategists who share a common goal: making gold purity understandable for everyday consumers. Our contributors have backgrounds in metallurgy, jewelry appraisal, and financial analysis.
We believe that informed buyers make better decisions and that trustworthy education should not sit behind a paywall. That principle drives everything we publish.
Have a question or feedback? Reach us at contact@karatology.com