916 gold is another term for 22-karat gold. The number “916” is a millesimal fineness number, indicating that the metal is 91.6% pure gold. The remaining 8.4% is an alloy of other metals, such as copper, silver, or zinc.

“These metals are added to strengthen gold, as pure 24K gold is too soft for daily wear jewelry, making it prone to scratches and bends. This purity level offers a great balance between the value of high gold content and the strength needed for creating intricate and long-lasting ornaments.

It’s a very popular choice for traditional jewelry in many parts of the world, especially in India and other parts of Asia.