Fineness

Fineness denotes the purity of precious metals, measured in parts per thousand.

Part of speech: noun
Definition: In the jewelry industry, 'fineness' refers to the proportion of the primary metal in an alloy, expressed in parts per thousand. This standard of measurement determines the purity of metals such as gold, silver, and platinum in a given piece, providing a precise quantification beyond traditional karat or carat measures. For instance, a gold piece of 750 fineness means it contains 750 parts gold and 250 parts of other metals per thousand, or what is commonly known as 18-karat gold. This system allows jewelers and consumers alike to assess the value and quality of metal items accurately, making fineness an essential term in the appraisal and sale of jewelry and bullion.