Below we name some stamps associated with the metal they represent:

Thanks to the existence of hallmarks, we can easily identify the metal a piece is made of. Hallmarks are numerical or alphanumeric marks that we find written in miniature format somewhere on the jewelry. They are part of an international legal standard, so no matter where you are in the world, you'll be able to easily recognize the metal of a piece of jewelry by them. Below are some hallmarks associated with the metal they represent:


Silver:


The hallmark we find on silver used in jewelry making is 925.


What does 925 mean?


This number refers to the composition of silver. It contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.


Platinum:


On platinum, we find the 950 hallmark, which is the most commonly used in jewelry.


What does 950 mean?


This number symbolizes the percentage of platinum in the alloy, which would be 95% pure platinum and 5% other metals.


Gold:


The gold hallmark most commonly used in jewelry is 18k or 750; both symbolize the same percentage of gold in the jewelry alloy.


What does 18k or 750 mean?


18k refers to karats. It contains 75% pure gold and 25% alloyed with other metals, such as silver, copper, palladium, or nickel. The latter provide the rigidity and durability necessary for jewelry to preserve it over time.


In the following table, you can see the most common gold hallmarks associated with their purity in detail:


Hallmark in Karats

Hallmark % Pure Gold

24k

999% Pure Gold

18k

750% Pure Gold

14k

585% Pure Gold


What happens if a piece of jewelry doesn't have a hallmark?


If a piece doesn't have a hallmark, it's possible that the item isn't made of a precious metal. That is, it's most likely not made of silver, gold, or platinum. However, we advise you to always check with an expert, as sometimes pieces may have lost the hallmark due to handling.


We hope this article has been helpful and that from now on you'll be able to recognize the metal of pieces by their hallmarks!

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