Gold Ring Hallmarks Guide

This is a simple and informative guide for understanding gold hallmarks how to identify them and the methods used for testing the purity of gold.

Gold ring hallmarks guide.

This mark can be in several different formats. 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. Have a look at your piece of jewellery. In 1757 counterfeiting hallmarks was made a felony and punishable by death.

Gold jewelry will often have different numbers inscribed or etched in them to signify the metal s karat content. Gold is a soft metal and can easily bend or be broken when in its most purest form. This jewelry hallmarks guide can help explain what those tiny etchings actually mean and how to ensure you re buying the real thing. The reality however is that gold hallmarks help to provide an impartial guarantee of an item s purity.

A gold ring being stamped with a. Gold is measured in caratage or kt. All of these formats are easy to understand except possibly the 3 digit number format. They are therefore mixed or alloyed with other harder metals.

Sell your gold now 0800 327 7878 01793 230 331. Home page contact us. Following a ruling of the european court of justice the uk is required to accept national hallmarks of member states who provide an equivalent guarantee. The assay office marks for gold would be in a square shield with chamfered corners and in a blunt oval for silver.

As our gold ring in the photo was made prior to 1973 hallmarking act the markings are slightly different but still. In an ideal world manufacturers would be trustworthy enough to stamp their own products. If it was made in a country that adheres to the convention on the control and marking of articles of precious metals otherwise known as the common control mark you should find a set of hallmarks stamps. Hallmarks provide proof of an article s precious metal content.

A simple and easy to understand gold hallmark guide that explains british hallmarks on gold jewellery and how to identify them. How to understand the meaning of gold hallmarks. The objective of a hallmark is to distinguish between metals such as white gold platinum and palladium which may look very similar but differ. Ring hallmarks certain metals such as gold and silver are mixed with other metals referred to as alloys to make them hard enough to be used for jewellery as well as affordable to the consumer.

These numbers tell how pure the gold is. Import marks from 1999. 585 14kt and 14k all mean 14 karat gold. Authentic gold jewelry should have a stamp to indicate the purity of the gold in the piece.

Precious metals such as gold and silver are generally too soft and malleable for practical use. British hallmarks date back to medieval times.