If there are no silver stamps on the jewelry then this may indicate the jewelry is plated. The precious metal trade is rife with fraud to this day, but a savvy customer can get along without getting ripped off in the meantime.
See the above chart.Īs a consumer, it’s your job to make sure that you’re getting what you pay for.
Furthermore older British jewelry from the mid 19 th century to the mid 1970’s may have a forward facing Lion Passat standard mark. Though rarer these if probably used are also authentic notations of sterling silver. You may often come across alternative hallmarks such as “STG” “SS” or “STER”. Certified sterling silver will be stamped or marked with the word “sterling” or “925.” The quickest way to identify sterling silver is to look for a mark or stamp, called the “fineness mark.” The fineness of a precious metal object (like silver) represents the weight of fine metal therein. Frequently such product takes a cheap base metal and plates it with a thin layer of silver. Sometimes jewelry makers will seek to get around standards by not stamping metals in countries where it’s not required and will only indicate the origin of the metal instead of the actual purity.īeware of silver jewelry that is not stamped! The absence of a unattested fineness mark means the metals are not identified. Egyptian silver, perhaps the most notable example of near-fraud, is only required to be 60% silver. German silver, for instance, is only 80% silver. It’s a good idea to make sure that you know what you’re buying as silver from some areas is notoriously impure. International standards on silver vary by a lot and many pieces are sold unmarked. Silver may also be stamped STER, STR, SS or Sterling.
Gold plated jewelry is commonly stamped GP, GEP, RGP, HGE, or HGP. For example in the USA gold is typically stamped 10K (or 10kt), 14K, 18K or 22K. Markings may differ, depending on which country the jewellery originates from. CHART 1: What does a 925 mark mean when stamped on jewelry? This chart shows common marks for Silver, Gold, Platinum and Palladium. A 999 stamp would, for instance, indicate that the metal was fine silver instead of sterling. Usually, you can simply add a decimal beforehand in order to figure out what the numbered stamp means. While many of the European nations have their own stamps, numbers are becoming more common to indicate purity in the interest of international trade. What Do Other Stamps Mean?įor the most part, it’s relatively easy to figure out the meaning of a mark. Sterling silver allows for easy working, while still maintaining the majority of white shine that typifies the precious metal. So, as you can see: 925 silver is the same thing as sterling silver. In order for a silver to be classified as sterling silver, it must meet at least a 92.5 purity, AKA 925. Still, in the bulk of cases, the 925 stamp indicates what you’re holding is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper by weight. That said, there are plenty of other additives that see use but still meet the sterling standard. The vast majority of sterling silver contains copper as the alloying material. Jewelry can also benefit, particularly rings and bracelets which are more often exposed to getting dented or scratched than pendants or earrings. The reason behind this alloy is that it’s much harder than the 99.9% required for “fine” silver, which makes it better for practical objects. Sterling silver is an alloy that is made of 92.5% actual silver, with the rest of the metal made up of base metals like copper. The 925 stamp indicates that the piece of jewelry you’re holding has been created with sterling silver. So, what does a 925 mark mean when stamped on jewelry? We will answer the question – what does a 925 mark mean when stamped on jewelry? Then we’ll give you a breakdown of the history behind the 925 hallmark. While the answer is simple, the history behind it is much more fascinating. Like many jewelry markings, the 925 stamp is something which those outside of jeweler circles may find mystifying. What does a 925 mark mean when stamped on jewelry?
0 kommentar(er)
