Gold Ring Hallmarks Guide

They are therefore mixed or alloyed with other harder metals.

Gold ring hallmarks guide.

British hallmarks date back to medieval times. Precious metals such as gold and silver are generally too soft and malleable for practical use. A simple and easy to understand gold hallmark guide that explains british hallmarks on gold jewellery and how to identify them. A gold ring being stamped with a.

When selling scrap gold including unwanted jewellery this purity is important in getting an accurate valuation. 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. How to understand the meaning of gold hallmarks. Hallmarks provide proof of an article s precious metal content.

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. 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. Gold is measured in caratage or kt. All of these formats are easy to understand except possibly the 3 digit number format.

Import marks from 1999. A brief history to be considered an antique a piece of jewelry must be 100 years or older while vintage jewelry must be more than 20 years old to be classified as such. Home page contact us. 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.

The reality however is that gold hallmarks help to provide an impartial guarantee of an item s purity. In an ideal world manufacturers would be trustworthy enough to stamp their own products. 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. As our gold ring in the photo was made prior to 1973 hallmarking act the markings are slightly different but still.

The assay office marks for gold would be in a square shield with chamfered corners and in a blunt oval for silver. Sell your gold now 0800 327 7878 01793 230 331. Authentic gold jewelry should have a stamp to indicate the purity of the gold in the piece. The objective of a hallmark is to distinguish between metals such as white gold platinum and palladium which may look very similar but differ.

Have a look at your piece of jewellery. Gold traders has compiled a gold hallmark identification wizard to help decipher the markings that are stamped on your item. This mark can be in several different formats. This jewelry hallmarks guide can help explain what those tiny etchings actually mean and how to ensure you re buying the real thing.

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.