What Do Jewelry Stamps Mean?
Jewelry stamps, also known as hallmarks, quality marks, and maker’s marks, are small symbols, numbers, or letter engravings applied during manufacturing that identify a piece’s features such as metal type, purity, maker, or origin. For example, 750 means 18K gold, 925 means sterling silver, and PT950 means 95% platinum. Other markings, such as GF or GP, indicate gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry.
Jewelry stamps are normally located on the inside of a ring band, on the clasps of necklaces and bracelets, or on the backs or posts of earrings. These markings have been used for centuries to communicate information about jewelry's materials and origins.
There are three main types of jewelry stamps:
- Purity Stamps: Indicate the precious metal content of a piece. For example, 585 means 14K gold, which contains 58.5% pure gold, while 925 indicates sterling silver, which contains 92.5% pure silver.
- Maker's Marks: Identify the jeweler, manufacturer, or brand associated with a piece. Maker's marks may appear as initials, names, logos, or distinctive symbols.
- Hallmarks: Official markings used in regulated hallmarking systems to certify precious metal content. Depending on the country, hallmarks may also identify an assay office, origin, or date.
Although these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they have different meanings. Purity stamps identify metal content, maker's marks identify the manufacturer, and official hallmarks provide certification under a recognized hallmarking system. A single piece of jewelry may feature multiple markings.
Understanding jewelry stamps can help you identify precious metals, distinguish solid gold or silver from plated jewelry, and learn more about a piece's origin. If a stamp is unfamiliar or difficult to read, a jeweler can examine it using a loupe and verify the metal through testing. Jewelry without stamps is not necessarily fake or less valuable. Markings may have worn away over time, or the piece may have been made when stamping was not required.
Jewelry Stamps Chart: Common Markings and What They Mean
Metal jewelry stamps use numbers and letters to identify precious metals, their purity, and how a piece was made. Metal purity jewelry stamps are among the most common jewelry markings and are typically required by law in many countries. Three-digit numbers generally indicate the percentage of pure metal without a decimal point, while letter combinations can identify the metal, its color, or a particular manufacturing process.
Use the jewelry stamps chart below to identify common gold, silver, platinum, and other jewelry markings and their meanings.
Stamp | Metal | Purity | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
24K / 999 | Gold | 99.9% gold | 24 karat gold, the highest gold purity. |
22K / 916 | Gold | 91.6% gold | 22 karat gold, high-purity gold jewelry. |
18K / 750 | Gold | 75% gold | 18 karat gold, commonly used in fine jewelry. |
14K / 585 | Gold | 58.5% gold | 14 karat gold, commonly used in fine jewelry. |
10K / 417 | Gold | 41.7% gold | 10 karat gold, the minimum karat designation for gold jewelry in the US. |
9K / 375 | Gold | 37.5% gold | 9 karat gold, commonly found in UK, Australian, and European jewelry. |
YG | Gold | Varies | Yellow gold, typically accompanied by a karat marking. |
WG | Gold | Varies | White gold, typically accompanied by a karat marking. |
RG | Gold | Varies | Rose gold, typically accompanied by a karat marking. |
KP / P | Gold | At least stated karat | Plumb gold, indicating the gold meets or exceeds its stated karat purity. |
925 / .925 / S925 | Silver | 92.5% silver | Sterling silver, containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals. |
STER / STG / Sterling | Silver | 92.5% silver | Alternative markings identifying sterling silver. |
999 | Silver | 99.9% silver | Fine silver, containing 99.9% pure silver. |
958 | Silver | 95.8% silver | Britannia silver, primarily associated with the United Kingdom. |
800 | Silver | 80% silver | Silver alloy historically common in Continental European jewelry. |
PT950 / 950PLAT | Platinum | 95% Platinum | Common platinum purity standard used in fine jewelry. |
PT900 | Platinum | 90% Platinum | Platinum alloy containing 90% pure platinum. |
PT850 | Platinum | 85% Platinum | Platinum alloy containing 85% pure platinum. |
PLAT / PT | Platinum | Varies | Abbreviations for platinum, sometimes accompanied by purity numbers. |
GF / 14K GF | Gold filled | Varies | A layer of gold mechanically bonded to another metal. Not solid gold throughout. |
GP | Gold plated | Varies | Gold-plated jewelry with a gold coating over another metal. |
GE / GEP | Gold plated | Varies | Gold-electroplated jewelry. Not solid gold throughout. |
HGE | Gold plated | Varies | Heavy gold electroplate, indicating a thicker electroplated gold layer. |
RGP | Gold plated | Varies | Rolled gold plate, a mechanically bonded gold layer over another metal. |
Vermeil | Gold over silver | Varies | Sterling silver coated with gold. |
EP / EPNS | Silver plated | Varies | Electroplated jewelry. EPNS specifically means electroplated nickel silver. |
SP / SSP | Silver plated | Varies | Silver-plated jewelry with a silver coating over another metal. |
How to Read Jewelry Markings
The easiest way to read tiny jewelry stamps is with good lighting and a jeweler's loupe or magnifying glass.
Follow these steps:
- Find the Stamp: Examine the inside of a ring, the clasp of a necklace or bracelet, or the back of an earring.
- Use Magnification: Look closely at each number, letter, and symbol.
- Read the Entire Mark: A stamp such as 14K GF has a different meaning from 14K alone.
- Compare the Markings: Use the chart above to identify the most likely metal and purity.
- Ask a Jeweler: If the stamp is unclear, damaged, or unfamiliar, a professional can examine the piece.
Jewelry stamps are different from personalized engravings. Stamps communicate information about the piece, while engravings may include names, dates, or messages.
FAQ
What are jewelry stamps?
Jewelry stamps are small numbers, letters, or symbols that identify a piece's metal content, purity, manufacturer, or origin. Common examples include 925 for sterling silver, 750 for 18K gold, and PT950 for platinum. Jewelry stamps are usually found in discreet areas such as ring interiors, clasps, and earring backs.
What does 925 mean on jewelry?
The 925 stamp means the jewelry contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, making it sterling silver. Related markings include S925, .925, STER, STG, and Sterling. A 925 stamp identifies metal purity but does not independently guarantee authenticity.
What does the diamond stamp inside a ring mean?
A diamond-shaped stamp inside a ring may identify an assay office, a platinum hallmark, or a jewelry manufacturer. In some contexts, it may also be associated with a diamond-containing piece. The exact meaning depends on the accompanying markings and the ring's origin.
What does 750 mean on gold?
The 750 stamp means the jewelry contains 75% pure gold, equivalent to 18K gold. The remaining 25% consists of other metals. A 750 stamp identifies the gold alloy's purity rather than its manufacturer.
What does 585 mean on gold?
The 585 stamp means the jewelry contains 58.5% pure gold, equivalent to 14K gold. The remaining 41.5% consists of other metals. Both 585 and 14K are common purity markings on fine gold jewelry.
What does 950 mean on jewelry?
The 950 stamp commonly indicates an alloy containing 95% platinum when associated with platinum markings such as PT950 or 950PLAT. The remaining 5% consists of other metals. A standalone 950 mark should be interpreted alongside other stamps to identify the metal correctly.
What does 800 mean on jewelry?
The 800 stamp commonly identifies an alloy containing 80% silver and 20% other metals when used on silver jewelry. This marking is frequently associated with older Continental European silver pieces. Unlike 925, an 800 silver stamp does not indicate sterling silver.
Is unmarked jewelry valuable?
Yes, unmarked jewelry can still be valuable. Some antique or artisan pieces may lack stamps because the markings wore away or were not required when the jewelry was made. A jeweler or appraiser can help assess its materials, origin, and value.
Are jewelry stamps required by law?
Jewelry stamping requirements vary by country. The United States does not generally require official hallmarking, although purity and manufacturer's marks are common. Many other countries legally require hallmarks under their own systems.
What stamp does Brilliant Earth use?
Brilliant Earth uses its lotus symbol as its maker's mark. The lotus identifies Brilliant Earth as the brand associated with the jewelry. Maker's marks are distinct from numerical stamps that indicate metal purity.
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