*2/*2K - a quality mark indicating the purity of gold most popularly used in India. This purity was adapted and practiced by the big jewellers and was later passed to jewel smiths. The first *2 signifies the "Skin purity", the purity of the top layer of the gold jewelry, and the second *2 signifies that after melting purity of the gold jewellery will be **-carat, or *1.*7% of pure gold. This system is used to show consistency in the quality of the gold.

This practice was pioneered and introduced in the early mid****0s by Nemichand Bamalwa & Sons of Kolkata, India, sparking a revolution[weasel words] in India, as it forced jewellers to indicate correctly the after-melting purity. Heightened consumer awareness made it a most sought-after stamp or quality mark.

This symbol or stamp can be found in Asian countries like malaysia. India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Yemen, and Persian Gulf countries.

International caratages of gold jewellery

Region[4] Typical caratage (fineness)

Arabic countries, Far East (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan) **-carat "Chuk Kam" (*9.0% min)

Arabic countries, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka **-carat (*1.6%)

Arabic countries in the Persian Gulf region **-carat (*7.5%), **-carat (*5.0%) in most Egypt

Europe - Southern / Portugal *9.*-carat (*0.0%)

Europe - Southern / Mediterranean **-carat (*5.0%)

Europe - Northern Germany etc. *- to **-carat (*3.3 - *5.0%)

Russia/former USSR *- (*7.5%) and **-carat/old **3 and new **5 проба (*8.5%)

United Kingdom *-carat to *2 carat (*7.***1.6%)

United States **-carat to **-karat (*1.***5%)