Jewelry Stamps and Their Meanings: Find It Here
Many people have jewelry collections, but how much do they actually know about their prized possessions? Do you know how to read the fine on your favorite rings and watches? Keep reading to find standard jewelry stamps and their meanings here.
What Are Jewelry Stamps?
Jewelry stamps are the imprints found hidden on the inside of a piece of jewelry like a ring. These stamps have lots of different meanings and help communicate the jewelry’s worth. The main three types of jewelry stamps indicate the material used, the maker, and the location made.
How to Identify Jewelry Stamps
Typically hidden on the inside of the item, you can find jewelry stamps in an inconspicuous location. However, there are so many different types of stamps that it can be challenging to determine what your item’s particular stamp means. Below are various standard jewelry stamps and their meanings.
1. 925
A piece stamped “925” indicates that the material used is 92.5% pure silver alloyed with another metal. It could also mean that the base metal is 92.5% silver despite being gold plated. If accompanied by letters, the letters are most likely a maker’s mark.
2. Ster
Similar to the 925 stamps, “Ster” indicates that the piece is made of sterling silver. Other typical sterling silver markings include “Sterling” and “STG.”
3. __ K, WGD
A number followed by a “k,” “K,” or “KT” indicates the karat percentage of the jewelry. For example, 14K stands for 14 parts per 24 parts pure gold alloyed with silver. Similarly, 100k would stand for 24 parts per 24 pure gold.
However, 100k or pure gold jewelry is rare because pure gold tends to scratch and bend easily. Lastly, “WGD” stands for weighted gold, for example, 10k weighted gold.
4. 900 Platinum
“900 Platinum” indicates that the piece is 900 parts per 100 platinum. Other standard platinum stamps include “PLAT” and “PT.”
5. ALE
“ALE” is a popular maker’s mark for Pandora Jewelry. There are countless maker’s marks, as there are numerous jewelry crafters. Therefore, if you find a combination of letters and cannot find what they mean, they are probably maker’s marks.
6. sk9 Platanaire
“Sk9 Platanaire” indicates that platanaire was the material used to craft the jewelry. An alloy made up of 92.5% silver, 5% platinum, and 2.5% additional elements, platanaire is a good choice for sensitive skin. While other alloys employ nickel, platanaire does not, making it hypoallergenic.
7. GE, GP, or GF
“GP” stands for gold-plated. Further, “GE” stands for gold electroplated, while “HE” stands for heavy gold electroplated. “GF” indicates a layer of gold connected to the core or base metal, a technique commonly seen used on wrist and pocket watches.
8. IP
“IP” means the product has ion plating, a technique regularly used to make jewelry more durable. Typically seen on jewelry made with stainless steel, ion plating is becoming more and more common.
9. Steel
“S.S.” or “st.” designates an item crafted with steel. In contrast to “Ster” sterling silver pieces, these items are stainless steel. However, like sterling silver, stainless steel pieces are hypoallergenic.
10. PD
“PD” indicates the jewelry contains palladium. Palladium is a rare metal found in the platinum group of alloys. Due to its durability, sometimes crafters use palladium when designing wedding bands.
11. KP
“KP” or karat plumb certifies that the item is at least the karat stamped, or perhaps even better. For example, 10kp would mean the piece is at least ten parts pure gold. Karat plumb is a vital stamp when determining an item’s resale value.
12. ABF or Similar
Finally, there are many different markings to indicate “antique” metal platings and finished. For example, “ACF” stands for antique copper finish, while “ACP” stands for antique copper-plated. Similarly, “ARF” indicates antique rhodium finish while “ARP” indicates antique rhodium plated.
Other standard antique stamps include “ABP” or antique brass plated, “AGF” or antique gold finish, “AGP” or antique gold plated, “ANP” or antique nickel-plated, “ASF” or antique silver finish, and “ASP” or antique silver plated.
