What are the different hallmarks used to identify silver jewelry?
Alongside the carat, the hallmark is a term frequently used to identify jewelry or silverware.
The two terms are also complementary.
So what do you need to know about the hallmarks used to identify silver jewelry?
First of all, by definition, a hallmark is a tool used in jewelry and goldsmithing to mark jewels and objects in order to certify the content of various metals.
Hallmarks and silver jewelry
The various hallmarks used to identify silver jewelry are legislated by the Bureau de Garantie and are as official as it gets.
There are an impressive number of hallmarks, including some 5,000 for France.
Classified according to purity:
- A large shield represents 999.99% pure silver (very rare in jewelry).
- A minerva head surrounded by an outline and with the number 1 represents 925% pure silver (very common silver, especially in jewelry).
- A minerva head surrounded by an outline and with the number 2 represents 800%o pure silver (often from abroad).
- The swan, surrounded by a horizontal oval outline, is similar to silver of uncertain or foreign provenance (less reliable).
- The word AND surrounded by a square represents a low title (less than 800%o) .
- The square itself represents a silver-plated object (covered only).The diamond is the goldsmith's trademark.
As well as the master stamp.What about the different hallmarks used to identify silverware?
It takes a keen eye to correctly identify a silver service, such as the famous menagères or timbales, which are part of the silverware collection!
Very often silver-plated or silver-plated metal, for the item to be considered solid silver it must exceed a certain content.
That's why when we see a number engraved on our material, it often refers to the percentage of fine silver used per micron.
In other words, it's silver-plated, not mass-plated.
Of course, today's goldsmiths are also faced with the problem of forged hallmarks. Fortunately, crude imitations do not escape the discerning eye of silver jewelry connoisseurs.
In short, the best way to guarantee the authenticity of silver jewelry is to have it appraised by precious metals specialists.To buy or sell silver jewelry, it's wise to go through reliable players like Goldmarket.
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