Monday, December 21, 2015

Stamped Markings On Jewelry Defined


SILVER 
925 = Sterling 
Sterling 
Taxco 
MEXICO 

PLATINUM
Pt 
Irid. Plat. 
Pt 900 
Pt 950 
PLAT 


GOLD 

K = Karat ( 14K would be 14 karat etc...) 
KP = Karat Plumb (the manufacturer guarantees it the minimum amount of gold) 

410 = 10K 
585 = 14K 
750 = 18K 
917 = 22K (Asia) 
999 = 24K pure gold (Asia) 

GF  gold filled 

RGP rolled gold plate 

HGE Heavy gold plate 

GP gold plate 

KP Karat Plated 

GS Gold shelled 

EPNS Electroplated nickel silver (german Silver) 


What about KP as in Karat Plumb
In Europe they use KP to signify that there are exactly X parts of gold, so 14KP means that there are exactly 14 parts gold or 58.5% gold.

Gold in the US, prior to October 1st 1981 it was legally allowed to be stamped ½ karat under the actual gold content if no solder was used in its manufacture. If solder was used it could legally be 1 full karat under the hallmarked karat content.

After October 1st 1981 gold jewelry not containing solder could only deviate from its hallmark purity by 3 parts in 1000, and gold jewelry with solder is allowed to deviate by 7 parts in 1000.
It is not legal to hallmark Gold Jewelry made in the US at less than 10K (you will see 9K as an example in England).


Is it K or ct or just a 3 digit number? The ‘ct’ is interchangeable with ‘K’ for karat. The term KARAT refers to the fineness of gold. The word CARAT usually refers to a weight, generally for gemstones but is also used for gold. All a bit confusing, but both are OK to use. The number refers to the fineness of gold in parts per 1000. All these marks are acceptable as it depends on where it was made.
There are many carat amounts used in jewelry. Below are the most common…



  • 8K, 8ct or 333 (parts per 1000) or is 33.3% gold (usually European. Not recognized in USA. The lowest possible standard. Will tarnish sometimes)
  • 9K, 9ct or 375 (parts per 1000) or is 37.5% gold (mainly British Commonwealth countries. Not recognized in USA. Hard wearing.)
  • 10K, 10ct or 416 (parts per 1000) or is 41.6% gold (Minimum USA standard. Hard wearing.)
  • 12K, 12ct or 500 (parts per 1000) or is 50% gold (usually old watch cases. Rarely seen)
  • 14K, 14ct or 585 (parts per 1000) or 58.5% gold (Asian for overseas market. Common in USA. Russian 584.)
  • 15K, 15ct or 625 (parts per 1000) or 62.5 % gold (British Commonwealth countries. Discontinued c1935. A good indicator that the piece is old.)
  • 18K, 18ct or 750 (parts per 1000) or 75% gold. (Most quality pieces are 18ct. Minimum gold standard for sale in Italy.)
  • 22K, 22ct or 916 (parts per 1000) or 91.6% gold (mainly Asia, Middle East. Very soft. Very yellow)
  • 24K, 24ct or 1000 (parts per 1000) or PURE gold (too soft for most jewelry manufacturers)

  • Other countries will designate their gold content by stamping the numbers above into the jewelry.  For example "625" "750" "916".  I came across a ring once that had a three digit marking not like the ones I was use to seeing.  I took it to a jewelry store and found out it was gold.  The place I had acquired it from had processed it as "junk" because they did not know of these different markings.  

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