Vintage Platinum Jewelry Hallmarks

Often overlooked due to their intentionally hidden location and diminutive size the etchings found inscribed on a piece of modern or vintage jewelry offer a window into the who what and where of the piece and are well worth a serious look.

Vintage platinum jewelry hallmarks.

Gold jewelry will often have different numbers inscribed or etched in them to signify the metal s karat content. Maker s marks are the initials or name of the manufacturing firm or other representative symbol stamped into a gold silver or platinum. Use the number marks on gold jewelry to learn more about it. The most encountered hallmark on jewelry is undoubtedly the purity mark which indicates the total amount of gold or silver used to manufacture a coveted jewel.

American jewelry is often marked by karat stamped into the inside of a ring or bracelet on the edge of earrings or the back of a charm. Although the study of hallmarks serves as a wonderful research avocation to many involved in the antiques trade a trained professional can and should put such a desired object. A lot of jewelry will have several stamps or marks. Look for a number followed by k for example 12k using a loupe or magnifying glass.

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. Often there is one stamp to indicate the purity of the gold 14k as mentioned above. In addition to maker s marks some countries require hallmarks which are given by the country where manufacturing took place. Identifying this mark is the first step in determining the value of a piece of jewelry.

If the jewelry is marked 10k that s. Hallmarks can offer further information about the place of origin date of manufacture and metal content. Various gold purity marks commonly found on vintage and antique jewelry. Hallmarks and maker s marks help identify the origin of antique and period platinum rings.

The study of jewelry maker s marks is a fascinating subject steeped in history culture and art. In a marks list database one might find an array of hallmarks and maker s marks plus information regarding the date and place of origin and the makeup and composition of the piece too. Hallmarks also known as quality or purity marks guarantee the purity or quality of a precious metal. The purity mark can be accompanied by a second mark called a maker s mark or a jeweller s stamp.

Silver jewelry marks learn to identify and date antique and vine jewelry maker s marks a collector jewelry maker s marks identification gold st makers marks c replays and things antique and vine jewelry maker s marks a collector.