What is the jewellery marking?
When buying precious metal jewellery, it is important to know about the marking of the jewellery in order to be sure of its authenticity. These are the two small engraved codes on jewellery and other related items made from precious metals such as gold, platinum and silver. This marking is mandatory in order to protect consumers from counterfeiting and falsification.
What do the stamps on the jewellery mean?
Jewellery is marked with two metal stamps struck on a surface of the main part of the object. The first stamp indicates the grades of precious metal content and the second stamp indicates the manufacturer or dealer who imports them and is a code usually consisting of numbers and letters. The big jewellery brands additionally stamp their jewellery with their logo!
The stamp with the manufacturer's code
Each jewellery manufacturer has its own code with which it stamps its creations. This code is engraved on a steel point (a tool used for engraving) with which the craftsman stamps the jewellery. Today, in large, mainly silversmithing workshops, this process is carried out using special machines that operate with laser beams. In case it is technically difficult to stamp (as for example in the case of chains), the codes are imprinted on a plate that is added to the jewellery and is made of one of the precious metals that make up the jewellery. Nowadays, in most countries, there are special government agencies that take care of the sealing of jewellery. Greece is one of the few countries in which the responsibility of sealing is entrusted to the manufacturer. In 1972, the Convention on the Control and Stamping of Precious Metals was adopted in Vienna to unify the marking of jewellery and articles made of precious metals.
Before you buy a piece of precious metal jewellery, check if it has the necessary stamps and if you have any questions, ask your jeweller for further information. Keep in mind that old jewellery may not have this marking, while modern jewellery may have variations in the way it is marked, depending on the country of origin.