The Federal government now required manufacturers to mark sterling silver pieces with a “925” mark, guaranteeing that the piece was at least .925 or 92.5% silver. This acted like an assay mark. Soon, different silver manufacturers began marking items in their own unique way.
Full Answer
How to read and identify American sterling silver marks?
Examples include:
- Alpaca: While it is sometimes referenced as “new silver,” this gray-colored alloy has only 2% silver content mixed with copper, zinc, and nickel. ...
- German silver: This silver-colored metal actually contains no silver at all. ...
- Nickel silver: This is another silver-colored material with the same metal content as German silver. ...
How to identify silverware markings?
Tips for Silver Patterns Identification
- Polish your silverware if you’re having difficulty determining the manufacturer’s mark. ...
- Look for “925” or another number. ...
- Sometimes looking for antique silverware markings that show your flatware set is not sterling silver is just as helpful as looking for sterling marks. ...
- There are some companies that provide silver patterns identification services. ...
How to identify hallmarks on silver?
Ways to identify silver hallmarks on different pieces
- Jewelry. All jewelry pieces are different. For that reason, silver marks placement will vary. ...
- Flatware. You’ll always find sterling silver and silver-plate flatware with a mark. However, the area of location depends on the type of item you have.
- Dishes and large pieces. Would you like to find hallmarks on large pieces like dresser sets, bowls, and trays? ...
How to identify old sterling silver marks?
To locate it in different items, check:
- Bottom of silver trays, bowls, teapots and dishes
- Back of silver flatware
- Bottom of candlesticks, figurines, vases and decorative pieces
- Near the clasp of necklaces and chains
- And inside of rings and cuff bracelets.
Is American sterling silver hallmarked?
American sterling silver is marked with one of the following hallmarks: "925," ". 925," or "S925." the 925 indicates that the piece contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. Sterling silver items made in the UK contain a stamp of a lion.
How do you identify silver markings?
The standard mark identifies your item as being silver. The mark for sterling silver is the lion passant or the lion passant guardant. Both look like a lion in profile. On earlier pieces of silver the lion is looking toward you, and this is a lion passant guardant.
What is the hallmark for solid silver?
"The words ”silver" and ”sterling silver" describe a product that contains 92.5% pure silver. Silver products sometimes may be marked 925, which means that 925 parts per thousand are pure silver.
What does WW mean on silver?
W.W. William Weston or William Williams II.
What are the 5 standard silver marks?
There are 5 standard marks found on British Silver:The walking lion for all sterling silver made in England.The standing lion for all sterling silver made in Glasgow.The thistle for for all sterling silver made in Edinburgh.The crowned harp for all sterling silver made in Dublin.More items...
How do you identify a hallmark?
The four components of a hallmark are: the sponsor or maker's mark, the standard mark, the assay office mark and the date letter for the year. Hallmark identification should answer four important questions - where; what; when; who. Where? Locate the assay office.
How can you tell if something is solid silver or silver plated?
Check the colouring of the item carefully; genuine silver is generally less shiny and colder in tone than silverplate. If you see places where the silver appears to be flaking off or turning green, the item is silver plated.
What does 3 crowns mean on silver?
Salad sets in this style are most often silver plate. If the salad set bears a three crown mark that looks like this then it is solid silver of at least 830 fineness.
What does the letter c mean on silver?
By 1830 the words COIN, PURE COIN, DOLLAR, STANDARD, PREMIUM, or the letters “C” or “D” were placed on silver to indicate that it was 900 out of 1000 parts silver. The word STERLING was frequently used by 1860. STERLING means that 925 out of 1000 parts are silver. This is still the standard for sterling silver.
What is W jewelry?
Hallmark(s): "WW" or "VVV" Information: World Wide Imports, Inc. was founded in 1975 and is based out of Kent, Washington. Works primarily in gold and silver, but does produce costume jewelry as well.
What does BS mean on jewelry?
BS over IS. Benjamin Smith I & James Smith, London 1809 hallmark. STERLING SILVER OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, IRELAND, CHANNEL ISLANDS AND COLONIES.
What does 925 W mean on jewelry?
Hiuyan Lam. Last updated: May 12, 2022. 925 on gold jewelry means that the base metal is an alloy with 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, covered with gold plating.