What is the mark for sterling?
Sterling silver (925): This is the standard for silver, identifying a silver item that is at least 92.5% silver mixed with copper to give it strength. Marks on these pieces include 925 or Sterling. Any mark indicating a higher silver content, such as 950, would also qualify as sterling.
What does the sterling mark look like?
American sterling silver is marked with one of the following hallmarks: “925,” “. 925,” or “S925.” the 925 indicates that the piece contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. Sterling silver items made in the UK contain a stamp of a lion.
What does a lion mark on silver mean?
A stamp indicating the purity of the silver is called the assayer’s mark. The mark for silver meeting the sterling standard of purity is the Lion Passant, but there have been other variations over the years, most notably the mark indicating Britannia purity.
What does the hallmark Dia mean?
DIA is the hallmark confirming that the stones are (or were when the ring was made) Diamonds. Though on some jewellery you can see a hallmark resembling a “pie chart” or simplified diamond image, if you will.
What does lion hallmark mean?
In the United States, sterling silver is classified as containing 92.5% or more silver, which is why you might see “sterling” or “925” stamped at the bottom of an authentic sterling silver piece. That’s the key identifier that a piece is sterling silver.
What does the shape on sterling silver hallmarks mean?
The shape is used with letters to help date the item. The hallmarks will tell you if the item is sterling silver, what town it was assayed in, the date of assay and the maker’s initials. The symbol for English sterling is a walking lion, or “Lion Passant”.
What does the control mark on sterling silver mean?
A typical hallmark on silver made in England for either export or sale in England. The control mark, a set of scales, was adopted in 1976. The scales mark certifies the acceptance of a 1976 treaty in which nations agreed to recognize each others hallmarks.
What are the initials on British sterling silver?
British Sterling Maker’s Marks The maker’s mark is a series of initials representing the name of the silversmith or company. They are set into a cartouche, usually the same as the other marks, but not always. For example; W & H, for Walker & Hall of Sheffield is set within a flag.
Is the sterling 925 mark an overstrike Mark?
The STERLING 925 mark was worn and it was re-stamped with a Stieff Sterling D. So, if the date mark appears to be an “Overstrike” on top of an older marking… the piece most likely was reworked at some point and the newer mark is not reflective of the true age of the piece.
A typical hallmark on silver made in England for either export or sale in England. The control mark, a set of scales, was adopted in 1976. The scales mark certifies the acceptance of a 1976 treaty in which nations agreed to recognize each others hallmarks.
What are the symbols on a hallmark sterling silver plate?
A piece with both marks meets the requirements of both the EC and US, two huge markets. A typical English hallmark ca. 1890-1999, generally has four symbols and may have five. These symbols may be placed in any order. They include: 1) symbol for the town in which the silver content was certified, called an assay or town mark;
Where does the 925 mark on sterling silver come from?
In fact the vast majority of mass produced silver reproductions today, whether made in Thailand, India, England, Europe or America, now include 925 in the mark. With the 925 standard mark, a piece of silver can virtually be sold world wide with the same mark. The use of 925, however, does not preclude the use of sterling.
How can you tell if a Gorham tea set is sterling silver?
Let’s dive further into the Gorham sterling silver identification over the years… Being able to identify a piece of sterling silver, whether it is a silver plate mark or a tea set, as a Gorham piece is fairly simple thanks to the consistent silver markings that were used during the manufacturing of the pieces.
