990
Chuk Kam (990) · 99% pure
Gold · Silver · Platinum · Palladium
990 means 99% pure — “Chuk Kam” (足金) in the Chinese gold trade, near-pure fine gold just below the four-nines of 999. China's national standard also recognises 990 for silver, platinum and palladium. At 99% the metal is soft and richly coloured, the language of high-purity gold culture across China and Hong Kong.
Hallmark Translator
Translate a purity you know into how any country marks it — gold, silver, platinum, palladium — or compare two countries side by side.
Why 99%?
Chuk Kam (足金, “full gold”) is the cultural standard of Chinese gold — near-pure gold valued as wealth, traditionally 990 and above (the market now often runs to 999). It's soft, deep-yellow and bought largely by weight.
China's national standard (GB 11887) also lists 990 grades for silver, platinum and palladium, though gold is where you'll meet the figure most often.
990, metal by metal
The same number means the same purity on every metal — but what it's called, and the mark struck beside it, changes with both the metal and the country.
On gold
Chuk Kam (足金) — 99% fine gold, the near-pure standard of the Chinese and Hong Kong trade; deep yellow and soft.
Mandatory maker's mark
On silver
99% silver — a high fine-silver grade in China's national standard (GB 11887).
Mandatory maker's mark
On platinum
99% platinum — a high grade recognised in China's national standard.
Mandatory maker's mark
On palladium
99% palladium — a high grade recognised in China's national standard.
Mandatory maker's mark
What people actually ask
What is Chuk Kam / 足金?
It's near-pure fine gold — 99% — the high-purity standard of the Chinese and Hong Kong gold trade.
Is 990 gold pure?
Almost — 99% pure, just below the four-nines of 999. Rich-coloured and soft.
990 vs 999 — what's the difference?
Both are near-pure. 999 (“four nines”) is slightly purer; 990 is the traditional Chuk Kam threshold, though the market now often runs to 999.
Why is Chinese gold so pure?
Because gold is valued there as a store of wealth as much as adornment, so near-pure, soft, high-carat gold is preferred.
A reference guide, not an authentication service. The same number can appear on different metals, and the mark beside it varies by country, date and maker — consult the relevant assay office or standards body for definitive identification.