How to identify sterling silver hallmarks?
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.
What is British sterling hallmark?
What is British sterling hallmark? The principal use of a hallmark on silver or gold is to show the fineness of the metal; sterling or Britannia for silver, the carat fineness for gold, e.g. 18 carat. British hallmarks also indicate to within 12 months of when the item was hallmarked, and this is of great interest to collectors.
Should sterling silver have a hallmark?
UK law requires any sterling silver product over 7.78 grams in weight to be hallmarked by one of the four UK independent Assay Offices. A hallmark is not be to confused with a manufacturers '925' stamp. '925' stamped into a piece of silver jewellery does not guarantee quality or that the product is really sterling silver.
How to read hallmarks?
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How do you identify sterling silver hallmarks?
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 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...
Is there an app to identify silver hallmarks?
Miller's Silver Marks app is the only product that will enable you to identify an unknown piece of silver from any country around the world – quickly and confidently. It is an essential tool for collectors, academics, dealers and students.
What is the English hallmark for sterling silver?
lionHistorically the standard mark for sterling (. 925 purity) silver in Britain has been a lion passant and this will be found on the majority of pieces.
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 WH mean on silver?
WH into a rectangle. William Hall (possibly)
Is there a free app to identify antiques?
Find out how valuable your antiques are with ValueMyStuff. Find out how valuable your antiques are with ValueMyStuff.
How can I tell what my sterling pattern is?
Is It Sterling or Silverplate?Almost all sterling silver is marked with the word "sterling" or the number "925." If the piece is marked with either of these, you can be certain it's crafted of sterling.If it's marked "plated," "electro-plated," or another version of this word, you'll know it's silverplate.More items...
How do I identify my jewelry Mark?
Inspect the Hallmark There are also hallmarks that can identify where the item was made (called a makers mark), the office the metal was tested in, the year, and the designer. You can find these hallmarks in a variety of places. Common locations are in the inside of a ring or a tag by the clasp of a necklace.
How can you tell the difference between silver plated and sterling silver?
Silver plate is just that - a thin layer of silver plated over another metal such as copper, brass or nickel. Often silver plated items will be marked with an EP, EPNS or Silver on Copper or have no mark at all. American sterling silver is always marked Sterling or 925, and is 92.5% pure silver.
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.
How can you tell if silver is Italian?
925, 92.5, 925S, S925, or any variation that indicates it is genuine. For manufacturers, marking it with any of these sterling silver labels even if it isn't is illegal. So, if you're looking for genuine Italy-made sterling silver, you'll want to see a label that says “925 Italy Silver” or something like that.
What is a sterling maker's mark?
British Sterling Maker's Marks. The maker's mark is a series of initials representing the name of the silversmith or company. They are set into a cartouche, usually the same as the other marks, but not always. For example; W & H, for Walker & Hall of Sheffield is set within a flag.
What is the hallmark of French sterling silver?
French sterling silver is notorious for having tiny little hallmarks that are hidden in the decorations sometimes.You may have missed it. French sterling has a rooster for the sterling mark, and other symbols for the town and maker. Good luck.
What is the sterling standard?
Britain's long use of the sterling standard has made the word "sterling" mean the pinnacle of quality, whether in metal or a person's character. By law, British sterling must be 925 parts silver to 75 parts other alloy metals, or 925/1000. This is known as the "sterling standard.".
What is the British system of sterling silver?
All of Great Britain use the same system to mark their sterling silver. Each item is assayed (tested) for quality, then marked with a series of 4 - 5 symbols, each in a cartouche of the same shape. The shape is used with letters to help date the item.
What is a town mark?
British Town Marks. The town or city mark denotes the place where the item was tested for its silver quality, or "assayed". Common town marks are: London: Leopard's head (with or without a crown) Birmingham: Anchor.
Why are some letters omitted?
Some letters can be omitted, like "J" or "V", because they are too similar to other letters. When the last letter is reached, the alphabet is repeated, but with a different style of lettering or font.
Is a sterling lion a walking lion?
If you look closely, the lion is not a walking lion (which is the English symbol for sterling), it is rearing up on it's hind legs. The anchor is just an anchor. It doesn't mean "assayed in Birmingham". As for the "coin silver" mark, your piece is still solid silver, just of a lesser quality than sterling.
Why is it so hard to read silver hallmarks?
One trick to making it a bit easier to read is to gently blow on it. The warmth from your breath will cause condensation, making the mark clearer.
What is the lion passant on silver?
There are a number of common marks that appear on many silver pieces. For example, the lion passant is standard to identify a piece as sterling silver. If this mark isn’t there, it means the piece is most likely silver plated.
When was duty mark made?
For example, if you see a duty mark on a piece, you’ll know that it was made between 1784 and 1890. You can narrow it down even more if you know when that mark was the king’s head and when it was the queen’s.
What does it mean when an item is marked with a silver plate?
A silverplate marking, sometimes incorporated into a manufacturer’s mark, indicates that the item was made by electroplating a base metal with a relatively thin coating of silver. When items are marked Quadruple Plate, this indicates four layers of silver were applied to the item over the base metal.
Why do you put a stamp on silver?
Most silver items include a stamp to indicate the purity of the silver being used. Items containing the purest forms of silver would be labeled .999, but in reality, silver is too soft to be used in manufacture unless it is mixed with other metals.
What are some examples of silver?
Many collectible items are made of silver-colored metal that can sometimes be confused with sterling silver, but which have little or no silver content in them. These are far less valuable than items made of sterling silver. Examples include: 1 Alpaca: While it is sometimes referenced as “new silver,” this gray-colored alloy has only 2% silver content mixed with copper, zinc, and nickel. Items of Mexican or South American origin emulating silver can be found with the Alpaca mark. Alpaca does not polish to a high shine like sterling silver. It can also be used as a base for silverplating. 2 German silver: This silver-colored metal actually contains no silver at all. It is an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc. It will not polish to the high shine possible with silver alloys. Marks include German Silver and E.P.N.S (electroplated nickel silver). Originating in Germany, it was used as a less expensive substitute for sterling, primarily in the late 1800s and early 1900s. 3 Nickel silver: This is another silver-colored material with the same metal content as German silver. It is a mixed metal alloy with no silver content, used around the same time frame as German silver to simulate more expensive sterling silver. Items made of this substance are marked nickel silver.
What is the most common silver alloy?
Common Silver Alloys and Their Markings. Here are some of the most common types of silver alloys, with information on how they are often marked: Brittania silver (950): Brittania silver is an alloy made of 95% silver, which exceeds the requirement for sterling silver. It is most often marked 950.
What is nickel silver?
Nickel silver: This is another silver-colored material with the same metal content as German silver. It is a mixed metal alloy with no silver content, used around the same time frame as German silver to simulate more expensive sterling silver. Items made of this substance are marked nickel silver. Read More.
Is sterling silver 925?
Hence, many sterling silver items are labeled .925. There are many different terms used to describe various alloys sold as silver. Some of them contain no silver at all, so it’s prudent to understand these terms when investing in antiques or collectibles.
Is 950 silver sterling?
Any mark indicating a higher silver content, such as 950, would also qualify as sterling. Coin silver (900): Since it is only 90% silver, this alloy cannot be referenced as sterling. Items made from this alloy may include marks such as 900, C oin, and Standard.
Vintage Sterling Silver Jewelry
Several years ago, I bought this chicklet necklace with alternating citrine- and brown-topaz-glass stones. Although the seller had described the piece as sterling and priced it accordingly, it wasn’t. The clasp was marked as such, but the frames around the stones and connecting links were clearly base metal.
Where Is the Sterling Mark?
Let’s first look at two similar necklaces from the boutique that illustrate this point.
When Am I Unsure?
Although metal can be tested to determine if it’s sterling, the process involves scratching the piece and using nitric acid, something I don’t want to do. Therefore, I have to rely on markings and my research. Here are two pairs of 1940s ear clips from the boutique that are puzzling.
What Do Sterling Marks Mean?
Because pure silver is too soft for jewelry making, the metal is combined with an alloy to make it more durable. The percentage of pure silver used in a piece determines whether it is sterling. The minimum standard worldwide is 92.5%. That’s why some jewels are marked “925” instead of the word “Sterling” or its abbreviation (“Ster.”).
Why Does It Matter?
Sterling is more than a reputation. It is a precious metal that is more expensive and more durable than base metals. Sterling silver can be cleaned and repaired, when necessary. Base metals can be damaged when soldering (a heat process) is used.
The New Series: True vs. Fake
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