What does the number on a piece of jewelry mean?
The number found on jewelry is a karat hallmark and tells you how much of a metal is in that piece. A hallmark is an indication of a piece of jewelry’s precious metal content. The karat stamp has been used in European countries since the 14th century.
What kind of marks are on a piece of jewelry?
It’s also common to see other marks on jewelry. You’ll find pieces that have maker’s marks or trademarks on them, identifying the company that either manufactured or sold the piece of jewelry. Often, this mark is near the metal content stamp.
What are the abbreviations for different metals in jewelry?
Jewelry can be made from a variety of metals, including gold, silver, and platinum. Each piece is stamped to mark its metal content, and you can also use the abbreviation to tell if the piece is plated or solid. These are a few of the most common abbreviations you’ll see: 10K – 10 karat gold. 14K – 14 karat gold. 24K – 24 karat gold.
How can I tell if a piece of jewelry is antique?
Observe whether the piece is Georgian, Victorian, Art Deco, Retro, etc. Using available reference materials such as jewelry history books and the internet or by consulting an expert appraiser, antique or estate jewelry dealer or auction house you can focus further investigations on a much narrower time period.
What do the numbers on the back of jewelry mean?
What do those barely discernible numbers inside a ring or on the back of a charm mean? The value of jewelry made from precious metals is determined by the purity of the gold, silver, or platinum it contains. The number found on jewelry is a karat hallmark and tells you how much of a metal is in that piece.
What kind of Mark do you put on vintage jewelry?
Some makers continue to use the “STERLING” mark in place of “925” even today. Vintage jewelry from other countries may have European purity marks, such as “585” for 14K gold and “750” for 18K gold, as shown in the photo below. A hallmark can also include other marks, such as: Designer marks – used when multiple designers worked for the same firm
What are the numbers on sterling silver jewelry?
Silver Markings. The definitive marking for fine silver jewelry is “Sterling” which is .925 pure silver, mixed with minimal base metals. It is commonly marked “925”.
What do the markings on a piece of jewelry mean?
These markings indicate important information about your piece, so it’s helpful to understand what they mean. From metal content to manufacturer, your jewelry markings can give you a clue about the value and history of your favorite pieces. Metal Content. Many jewelry marks represent the metal content of the piece.
