Jewelry stamps are essential markers that aid consumers in discerning the quality and makeup of their purchased jewelry. These inscriptions provide the wearer with crucial insights into the jewelry’s worth and attributes.
Understanding Jewelry Stamps
When you visit a jewelry store, whether for browsing or buying, you’ll observe that each item possesses tiny engravings.
- These engravings could appear as a series of letters or numbers or sometimes as complete words.
- Initially, these stamps might seem inconsequential, but they are vital for understanding the jewelry you intend to buy.
This section will explore different types of jewelry stamps, so keep reading to learn more!
Types of Stamps
Quality Stamps
Quality stamps on jewelry reveal details about the metal content and chemical makeup of the piece.
- They help explain the valuation of a jewelry piece.
- Quality stamps provide details about the metal’s chemical composition in jewelry.
- This stamp signifies the type of metal used, its weight, and its purity.
Maker’s Marks
Another common type of stamp found on jewelry is known as a maker’s mark.
- Traditionally, maker’s marks represent the manufacturer’s initials or name.
- For instance, JewelryLab’s large chain link necklace carries a mark indicating it was crafted by a specific artisan.
- In some countries, like France and Italy, manufacturers are mandated to register their maker’s mark with regulatory agencies to authenticate the jewelry.
Maker’s marks are particularly valuable for dating historical pieces of jewelry, aiding in pinpointing the era of origin and confirming if it’s an antique.
Hallmarks
Hallmarks are akin to quality stamps. They are small imprints on jewelry intended to protect consumers. These are certified by an assay office to confirm that the material meets a certain standard for sale.
- These marks have a longstanding tradition, tracing their roots back to England where goldsmiths were required to stamp their products before selling them.
- Hallmarks change according to the era they were created in and the metal’s purity.
- Experts can examine hallmarks to determine the age of a jewelry piece, helping them appraise antique jewelry.
Location Marks
or a town mark.
- These marks typically consist of images symbolizing the origin of the jewelry piece.
- The style of location marks varies depending on the country of origin.
- Within a single country, different cities might have unique images indicating the specific region or city where the piece was made.
- For instance, British location marks include a crown symbol, whereas Scottish location marks feature a thistle.
Types of Jewelry Stamping and What They Mean
Ever wondered about the significance of the stamps on jewelry? The mystery is about to be unraveled. The meaning of these stamps depends on the type of stamping used on the jewelry.
Here are some of the common types of jewelry stamps and their meanings:
925, 925, and Sterling Stamps
When jewelry bears these stamps, it indicates that it is made of sterling silver.
- Sterling silver comprises 92.5% pure silver, with the remainder being another metal.
- Since pure silver is quite soft, jewelers often mix it with other metals to enhance its strength and maintain its shape.
- Adding a more robust metal helps silver retain its form and durability.
- Silver is usually mixed with copper.
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- These letters indicate the maker’s mark, revealing the manufacturer of the jewelry piece.
Keep in mind that with numerous jewelry manufacturers available, you may need to do some research to identify the creator of your piece.
10K, 14k, 18k, and 24k Stamps
These stamps are commonly seen in gold jewelry and indicate the pure gold content in the piece.
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- A 14k stamp indicates that the jewelry contains 14 out of 24 parts pure gold, or 58.3%. Such pieces are usually mixed with nickel, silver, or copper-zinc.
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Assay Marks
Gold jewelry may come with assay marks, which indicate the purity of the gold as assessed by an assay office.
Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Lea RaeS.S. or St. Steel Stamps
Stamps like S.S. and St. Steel represent stainless steel. This affordable and hypoallergenic metal is favored for people with sensitive skin.
WGD Stamps
WGD indicates that a piece of jewelry is made from weighted gold, reflecting a similar meaning to karat.
KP Stamps
KP stands for karat plumb, certifying that the metal meets or exceeds the indicated karat value.
“`For instance, a piece of jewelry marked with 18kp indicates it contains at least 18 karat gold..
The distinctive process of crafting stamped jewelry aids in our comprehension of the valuable adornments in our wardrobes.
ONI RING | 925 STERLING SILVER$139
BEST WISHES PENDANT NECKLACE | 24K GOLD PLATED$173
BEST WISHES RING | 24K GOLD PLATED$169
BEST WISHES PENDANT NECKLACE | 925 STERLING SILVER$146
JIVE SKULLS RING | BRASS$129
MINI JIVE SKULLS RING | 24K GOLD PLATED$169
ISLAND | BRASS$119
BEST WISHES RING | BRASS$99
MINI JIVE SKULLS RING | BRASS$99
BEST WISHES RING | 925 STERLING SILVER$129
ATHENA BRACELET | 925 STERLING SILVER$189
JIVE SKULLS RING | 925 STERLING SILVER$159
MINI JIVE | 925 STERLING SILVER$129
ATHENA BRACELET | 24K GOLD PLATED$209
WHITE MARBLE RING | BRASS$149
WHITE MARBLE RING | 24K GOLD PLATED
MYSTIQUE EARRINGS | 24K GOLD PLATED$239
BEST WISHES RING | 14K GOLD$399
MINI JIVE SKULLS RING | 14K GOLD$399
ATHENA BRACELET | BRASS$149
BEST WISHES EARRINGS | 24K GOLD PLATED$169
BEST WISHES EARRINGS | 925 STERLING SILVER$139
ULA CLOSED LOOP EARRINGS | 925 STERLING SILVER$125
ULA OPEN LOOP EARRINGS | 925 STERLING SILVER$135
ULA CLOSED LOOP EARRINGS | 24K GOLD PLATED$146
ULA OPEN LOOP EARRINGS | 24K GOLD PLATED$167
CHAIN LINK EARRINGS | 925 STERLING SILVER$114
ULA EARRINGS | 925 STERLING SILVER$135
LARGE MINIMAL BRACELET | BRASS$159
LARGE MINIMAL BRACELET | 925 STERLING SILVER$282
KRATA EARRINGS | 925 STERLING SILVER$185
UCCA EARRINGS | 925 STERLING SILVER$173
ISKA RING | 925 STERLING SILVER$179
ELI EARPIECE | 925 STERLING SILVER$167
SAKHA NECKLACE | 925 STERLING SILVER$219
ARKA PENDANT NECKLACE$242
ULA EARRINGS | OXIDIZED 925 STERLING SILVER$135
ULA OPEN LOOP EARRINGS | OXIDIZED 925 STERLING SILVER$146
UHYA EARRINGS | 925 STERLING SILVER$146
ELI EARPIECE | OXIDIZED 925 STERLING SILVER$177
LARGE MINIMAL BRACELET | OXIDIZED 925 STERLING SILVER$293
VYA RING | BRASS$145
VYA RING | 925 STERLING SILVER$190
UJA EAR CUFF | 925 STERLING SILVER$146
ULA X CHAIN LINK BRACELET | 925 STERLING SILVER$198
ULA X CHAIN LINK BRACELET | BLACK OXIDIZED 925 STERLING SILVER$211
GOLA BRACELET | 925 STERLING SILVER$173
RAKA PENDANT NECKLACE$314
MYA EARRING | 925 STERLING SILVER$175
UHYA BLACK EARRINGS | OXIDIZED 925 STERLING SILVER$177
