When looking at jewelry, you can find etchings inscribed in a location that is intentionally hidden. It is a small mark that lets you know who made it, what it is, and where they made it. The letter markings give you insight into the piece’s history, and knowing what they mean can help you identify real pieces.
History of Jewelry Makers Mark
Jewelry must be at least 100 years old to be considered an antique. On the other hand, Vintage jewelry is at least 20 years old, and Retro jewelry was made during the 1940s and 1950s and contained large, colorful gems.
The National Gold and Silver Stamping Act of 1906 requires that jewelers place an accurate purity mark on pieces they make. Then, since 1961, they are also required to include a maker’s mark that lets people know who made it.
In Great Britain, the Hallmarking Act of 1973 required that jewelry include a date letter stamp. France has had jewelry marks since the 13th century, and in 1797, there was a requirement to have a maker’s mark framed with a diamond-shaped charge called a lozenge.
Jewelry Marks You Should Know
Gold Purity Mark
You will find a two-digit number on gold jewelry, followed by a “k” or a three-digit number. The k stands for karats, and pure gold is 24 karats. If it says 18k or 750, it is 75% gold, and 14k or 585 is 58.5% gold. If the piece is marked HGE, GE, or GF, it will appear as gold, but it is made from other metals.
Silver Purity Marks
Silver purity marks also let you know the metal content. Sterling silver can be marked 9125, Sterling, STG, or STER, noting that it is 92.5% silver. If you notice a mark of German Silver or Nickel Silver, it may not have any silver in it. Vermeil stands for a piece that is sterling silver with gold plating.
Maker’s Marks
When you are looking for maker’s marks, they include trademarks, logos, designer signatures, company names, and more to let you know who made the jewelry. Tiffany & Co is widely recognizable, and they have both the entire name and T&Co stamped. If a Tiffany piece was made by a designer, their signature would be there as well.