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Marking system for rings
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Gentle Readers,
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Q. I have a diamond ring it has .925 on the inside with another symbol beside it. It's a square with lines in it? I'm really confused.
Amanda skinner- lewistown Pennsylvania
April 3, 2017
A. Hi Amanda. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, i.e., .925. So sterling silver is often engraved with ".925" rather than the word "Sterling".
As I and others have said many times on this thread, it's probably hopeless to expect anyone to know what "a square with lines in it" means because there are tens of thousands, maybe not hundreds of thousands of maker's marks, but if you send a well-focused pictures of the ring and the maker's mark someone may be able to help. Still a jeweler can probably tell you basically what you've got in a flash.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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! The site owner is offering his time and knowledge on simple subjects that can be googled, that's how most of us ended up here, myself included.
***I WANT TO HELP HIM AND ANYONE ELSE WHO LANDS HERE VIA GOOGLE SEARCH***
I was trying to figure out the history of the THAILAND marks in rings and their metal purity. (Still clueless but I'm about to help a lot of you for him).
After reading through the entire thread I wanted to bang my head into a wall for the poor fella surely having "Groundhogs Day" (movie) every time there is a new post.
OK HERE WE GO I JUST SPENT HOURS COLLECTING THIS PLEASE USE IT!
First I want to address the Answer given by Adela Garcia - St.Louis regarding the gold & silver markings:
***DO NOT TRASH YOUR RINGS WITH A "P" FOLLOWING 14K,18K,22K (insert numberK)***
- 14KP stands for "karat plumb" gold---meaning exactly 14K....no more, no less. KP does NOT, I repeat does NOT mean plated or fake.
- Gold stamped with the KP is guaranteed to have a gold purity not less than indicated but could possibly be slightly more pure. So, for example, a bracelet stamped 14KP is guaranteed to contain 58.33% gold or more. Another bracelet stamped 585KP is guaranteed to contain 58.5% pure gold or more. The KP stamp is designed to eliminate the non-standard caratage tolerances that some markets allow for. In the USA, for example, gold can be sold at up to 0.5 carat more than its actual gold content. So, a ring marked 14K can contain just 13.5 carats of gold.
- Things to consider about lack of markings: the piece may have been repaired/resized/worn enough to rub away the hallmark in the case of it being worn down you should be able to see an obvious taper from the sides of the band to the bottom which will be thinner that the rest.
- NOT ALL SILVER RINGS ARE MARKED 925!! Especially with Native American jewelry! It is a dead give away to all Native American jewelry collectors that 925 usually means it is from Mexico, the natives used "Sterling" and early pieces are not marked at all.
- I own a warriors cuff from 1910 with no purity mark or maker mark ... why? Native jewelry was traditionally made for the tribe only and the symbols were meant to protect the person wearing it. Later when the railroad was built they started making items for the white people, this helped them and didn't discredit their true pieces because the pieces sold in railroad shops were mass produced.
- Two other marks on Native Jewelry are
"German Silver" -- this is not silver, it is actually several metals mixed together and then plated and
"COIN SILVER" -- coin silver is circa 1900 and it 90% silver.
- "SS" (Sterling) can be confusing because it's also used for stainless steel.
- "STG" (Sterling)
- "Stg. Sil." (Sterling)
- Other silver marks: keep in mind as previously mentioned these are XXX/1000 : 925/1000 = 92.5% pure... here we go:
- 800
- 830
- 835
- 900
- 950
- 999
- 999.9
The United States does not use hallmarks. However, many countries with far greater histories of silver-smithing employ, or did employ at one time, a complex hallmarking system. There are a number of excellent guides available on the internet that can assist you in identifying a particular hallmark. Go here: 925-1000.com
Ok this is wearing me out, but I'm pushing on. I think I will leave this as a silver post and do a gold later.
Silver Plated jewelry often does not have any mark on it anywhere that would indicate it was silver plated. Occasionally you will, however, see the following marks:
"SP" - meaning Silver Plate
"Plate" - more common on flatware and table pieces
"EP" - meaning electroplated
"Quadruple Plate" - allegedly meaning the piece went through electrolysis four times
"EPNS" - meaning electroplated nickel silver
"S80" - this is a mark that appears on a lot of Chinese silver colored jewelry that is often also marked 925. This is not silver jewelry. It is merely plated with "925" Sterling Silver. 'S80 Silver' is apparently a plating compound in many emerging market countries.
Oh my goodness I'm wiped out ...
This is where I copied most of the info from (minus the native). There are more examples and Honestly.... I'm too tired to detail it out.
I hope I have helped at least one of you.
Go here: http://blog.hunterridgejewelry.com/2014/06/27/the-difference-between-silver-sterling-silver-900-silver-800-silver-alpaca-nickel-silver-and-silver-plated-jewelry/
May 24, 2017
- OKC, Oklahoma USA
Thanks very much, Katie! I run a website with 50,000 threads about metal finishing but sometimes, as in this case, a thread gets both off-topic and quite busy, so your help is greatly appreciated.
The only thing in your posting which I think may be not quite accurate is "Quadruple Plate". While I originally believed that it meant the same thing as you did, here is a posting by a very knowledgeable reader, copied from letter 44569 which claims it refers to silver plating presumably 4 times thicker/heavier than some minimum:
A. Quadruple plate contained 8 tr.oz. of silver plate per gross (144 pieces) of teaspoons. The plating was about 1.2 mils thick (.0012"). In 1975, quadruple plate was still being produced, mainly for places like hotel restaurants.
Chris Owen- Nevada, Missouri, USA
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Ed. note Feb. 2022: Unfortunately that link is now broken
Hello- I came across this information/resource on e-bay, originally shared by aumiagoldandsilverjewelry. I hope the information contained here helps to answer some of your questions..
Elizabeth Mongillo- Berlin, Connecticut
Q. I have a gold ring with initials and A 15 at the bottom inside the ring has inside is stamped with M.JAK do you know what this means?
Connie Curtis- Valley Springs California usa
September 23, 2017
October 5, 2017
Q. Does anyone know who the maker of this mark is? A/M
sandra salvador- Gadsden, Alabama USA
Q. I have this lovely ladies ring - with black elongated stone and it is marked inside S.U.K. no other markings on it at all - it seems to be silver maybe Mexican or ??? it has a lovely design on the outer part and a super nice setting.
Just looked closer and there is a small stamp but blacked over hard to read near the S.U.K. marking it looks like a number possibly 925?
- Toronto ontario Canada
October 18, 2017
Q. Hello, I have a ring that is marked on the inside as follows; C (circled as if the copyright c) then separately another c that is circled but larger than the 1st, like an initial then a w also circled as if an initial and then 900 pt. The ring is is wide band, the body of which is open cut work 5 petal flowers with stones (diamonds) it was left to me by me aunt, what do I have? Any idea? comments, thoughts are most appreciated. Maria
Maria Goncalves- Somerset County, New Jersey U.S.A.
October 18, 2017
A. Frank: your ring is probably sterling silver.
A. Maria: your ring is probably platinum.
Red Sky Plating
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Q. I have a gold ring with inside markings that I can't make out other then a circle with a capital A inside the circle.
Can anyone help me with this ring.
- Pocahontas, Arkansas, USA
October 18, 2017
Q. I have a silver ring that is stamped 18K GE A with circle around it what does it mean?
Misty Sleep- Topeka, Kansas,usa
October 28, 2017
I have a ring with 18KGE and a capital A with a circle around it. I was curious as to what the letters meaning was -- if it was the company trademark or something else possibly.
sally bejuil- jonesborough , Tennessee
February 3, 2023
A. Hi. I'd guess that GE means gold electroplate. With only 26 letters in the alphabet but probably at least 26,000 trademarks & hallmarks, I'm not sure that a capital A with a circle will be exclusive to one company, but maybe. I think well focused photos might help decide whether you're all looking at the same hallmark.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
October 18, 2017
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Q. I have a ring that I purchased in an auction. It's stamped with "14k rt". What does the rt stand for?
Jackie Colonna- Carlsbad, California USA
October 20, 2017
Q. Hi,
What does the TM refer to? its engraved just before the 925
thx
aquarist - Port Elizabeth, south Africa
October 25, 2017
Q. What does CR1K© mean on the inside of my 10k gold ring? It has several small diamond and a moderate size ruby.
Andi Breedlove- Hazlehurst, Georgia USA
October 26, 2017
Q. My ring has 925 on the inside however, I can't tell what the symbol is behind it. Can you please help me?
- Rome, Georgia United States
October 30, 2017
Q. I have a white gold ring that has no gems just a band, but it also says 155 on it. Can you please tell me what that means?
skye singleton- Sedro Woolley, Washington, USA
October 31, 2017
Q. Hi I have a gold ring that says ADI 995 china CZ on it. What does this mean?
Tyler Reaves- Tucson, Arizona USA
November 1, 2017
Q. I just bought a ring from the $2 box at local 2nd hand store. I don't normally but it caught my eye on my way to a warm coat and so pretty and shiny. Anyway when I got home I noticed that there is a mark on outside of the band it is a bit warn but I think it's a 91, 61, or even a gl but the last mark looks like it could be a 5,2,s. Oh I don't know,I think I am more curious as to why a mark would be on the outside.. I am sorry to bother you over probably nothing, but if you have any ideas I would love to hear them. Thank you
Debby HealeyCare for elderly with Alzhiemers - Chesterland, Ohio, U.S.A.
November 4, 2017
Q. I have bought a white gold diamond ring, markings
Are 375 on one side then 10k on the other, there is no diamond stamp , there is a 417TGGC stamped on it.
Have no idea of the meanings
- Hilperton wiltshire England
November 7, 2017
Q. I have set of earrings that are stamped 925 along with the letters sold. we all know what 925 stands for, but what about the SLD?
James Coffman- Topeka, Kansas,united states
Q. I have a silver ring & it looks like rope & it is "twisted" in 3 different ways. Can anyone please tell me what it stands for? I have a photo. .
Thank you!
Personal - Bartlett, Tennessee - USA
November 13, 2017
Q. I have a ring that is an antique and it has a stamp on it that I am unable to find online what it means. Maybe someone can help me out and better explain the meaning. Possibly maybe the maker stamp? It has a 14k stamp on it as well. Please help. Thank you!
SN RLL
- Torrance california
Q. Hello! I have a hallmark stamp on my engagement ring that looks like a beaver tail with 14k and D050 on the other side.
Christy Parks- Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, USA
November 16, 2017
Q. Hi, I have a set of engagement ring and band no Stamped it's a yellow ring but I'm confused of checking what metal it is? It was acid tested from 10k,14k,18k and no reaction then I used acid for 22k and it was fade after few seconds. I want to make sure what it is so I pour the whole 14k acid in a plastic cup and left the ring inside whole night and it turned in to a light yellow color in the morning (no green) what metal is this?and additional when I rubbed into a stone it's a white color metal
one day I cleaned it with a metal cleaning solution and it turned back to a deep shiny yellow color
Can you pls tell me if this metal is gold or not? Thank you
- Maryland
November 17, 2017
Q. White 14k ring with diamonds. Band inside says EDS-7 and 1 with a . then a line under it, followed by 30. What does it mean??
Joan Dawson- Pittsburgh pa USA
November 18, 2017
Q. hi?. so I have this ring with little diamonds around a big one on the center and is marked 585 and 14k on the inside.. is it really a white gold or a fake one?
Just katez- NCR,Region 3,Philippines
November 21, 2017
Q. I have a 10k ring with the letters AU what does that mean I can't find any info anywhere??
Paula ChambersBUYER - Mt. Grove Missouri USA
Q. I have silver earrings with AU and a c circled backwards. Does anyone know what it means or a book or site that reference these?
Nissa Rader
- Parkersburg, West Virginia USA
March 2018
A. Hi Nissa. The "copyleft" symbol is interesting. On the one hand Wikipedia says it has no legal meaning; but it says it means you are free to copy the design in your own works, but if you do copy it, you can't copyright them.
As for books or sites with hallmarks, many suggestions have already been offered on this thread; repeating stuff on a thread that's already way too-long thread would hinder people more than help them. Please review their suggestions and share your thoughts. And share the Jameson please. Thanks.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Comment:
Thank you to all whom have had answered some of these questions. I have read quite a few. And it baffles me to see how many people ask the same questions over and over; not only do a lot of initials and letters mean makers marks but they could also mean somebody's initials that it was bought for :-)
- Lawrenceville Georgia USA
14K A & P
November 17, 2019Q. My grandmother had a ruby and diamond bracelet. It had matching earrings & a ring. The bracelet is stamped 14K and I believe A & P. What designer or design company is this?
- New York
February 12, 2021
Q. MY WIFE WAS GIVEN HER GREAT GREAT GRANDMOTHER'S WEDDING BAND. ON THE INSIDE ARE THESE MARKINGS: AN H, THEN A CROWN, THEN 18M. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THESE MEAN?
- LINCOLNTON North Carolina
Q. I HAVE A RING WITH JA 18K/SS ON IT. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN.
I ALSO HAVE ONE WITH JA SS10K ON IT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN.
- Jonesboro, Arkansas
April 9, 2021
A. Hi Emmett
I don't think it's legal everywhere to put a karat mark like "18k" on a ring that has been simply electroplated with gold because it's a bit deceptive, implying that there is intrinsic value where there is none, but pending more info my wild guess is that it's a stainless steel ring with gold electroplating. Or perhaps it's a quite old ring of sterling silver and gold. I'd make the same assumption for the other, although I suppose either or both could have areas of gold and areas of stainless steel or sterling silver.
You're probably not going to get anywhere without more effort, including pics of the rings and pics of the engravings, because googling those letters leads to all sorts of different rings ... but if you want to try it from the other direction, google 'John Atencio' and see if rings and maker's marks from that maker look like yours.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I have a ring yellow gold but doesn't have a k stamp. It does have a JA stamped. WhT does this mean?
M shields- Bristol ct
March 19, 2023
May 16, 2021
Q. I received a ring with a stamp on the inside that says: "10K (has a star next to it) HDO". Along the other side of the band on the inside too, it has the word "master". I am Wondering what this means? I have tried searching it and looking up the stamp, but cannot find anything about it. Please help!
Carlye Kiedrowski- Woodbridge Virginia
May 2021
A. Hi Carlye. 10K stands for 10K gold, which is 10/24 pure gold and 14/24 other metals like copper and silver. If you received the ring from your grandmother, it's 10K gold; if you received it mail-order from China it might be 10K gold or it may just be facetious markings. Buy precious metals only from a person or store you trust :-)
As for the star, "HDO", and "master", yes, there are so many tens of thousands of general markings that it may well be hopeless.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
July 6, 2021
Q. My mom gave me an old silver alexandrite ring and it has E6 stamped inside the band. What does E6 mean? There are no other markings inside the ring. I believe it is sterling silver.
Amy Bruce- Dixon, Kentucky
July 2021
A. Welcome Amy. Welcome no. 503 :-)
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
July 7, 2021
Q. Square box with a slash though it diagonal from top right corner to the bottom left corner after 10 k on a ring what does it mean?
Steve dickson- Lawrenceburg Tennessee
July 2021
A. Welcome no. 504, I wish here was something we could do for you but there probably isn't. Sorry.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
August 31, 2021
Q. I purchased a white gold ring with markings FR 14KT on one side and Naplan, I think on the other. I figure Naplan is the maker, but find nothing on this, but vintage ring maybe. Thought maybe you might be able to help. Thank you in advance! I broke a prong on one of the outside corners and I'm going to take it for repair. But, should I find another from the same time frame to try and match the stones?
Candice Gateleynone - Oklahoma city, Oklahoma
September 30, 2021
Q. Found my grandmother's ring. It has 3 prongs and three stones the color of diamonds. The inside has an M. Is that just the size? I would appreciate any help you can give me, as my dad passed away and I found it in his possessions.
S Siverling- Minot North Dakota
September 23, 2021
Q. I had a 10k gold band that was my great aunt's. It was also stamped (deep) with a star, nothing else. I researched that Star but only kept coming up with a jeweler ID mark. Never found that. I would love to know what that star was.
Carrie PillowRetired - Evington Virginia
September 28, 2021
Q. My name is Carrie. I was recently given a ring that's been in my family for years. I was told it's a black onyx 10k yellow gold ring. It has a stamp in it that I can't find anywhere.
I just want to know who made this ring or what it's worth so I can insure it.
Carrie Carter- Indianapolis, Indiana
November 12, 2021
Q. I just received an engagement ring. What does the marking SK9LGD mean on the inside of the ring?
Gloria ReeHobbyists - Lancaster Texas
Q. I have a diamond heart Solitaire, silver colored band with A inside the band. I can't find anything to identify what this means. Can you help?
B Gibson- Independence, Missouri
January 4, 2022
Q. I have a ring with 10KEJ stamped inside. What does the EJ stand for?
Lyn Boston- Lebanon, Tennessee
February 3, 2022
Q. I have a gold men's wedding ring that is stamped J14KS.
Any help would be appreciated.
- Lodi, Wisconsin
January 22, 2022
Q. Hi
I'm in the UK and have a diamond ring which has D5.05ct and Pt950 stamped on the inside of the band. Stone measures 11 mm across and approx. 6.5mm high.
It has no Jeweller's Marks or Maker's Stamp ... does this mean its been made abroad? It's been in my family for years.
Many Thanks.
- Haddington U.K.
April 10, 2022
A. Hi Mrs. McG. I deleted your name & town because to my untrained eye I see no reason to not believe that it's a platinum ring with a real 5+ ct diamond, worth certainly in the high 5 figures, and maybe in 6 figures for all I know.
I'd suggest getting it appraised immediately. Or maybe take it to Christie's or Southbys. Maybe it'll pay off your mortgage, plus fund a trip around the world :-)
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
May 11, 2022
Q. Only letters for hallmark, test shows to possibly be palladium. Same hallmark on both rings. Would like to know more. Thank you.
Just a granddaughter trying to know more about my grandmother 's jewelry - Houston Texas
May 2022
A. Hi Jennifer. The hallmark appears to be Thomas McGrath of Providence RI. My guess is they are silver, not palladium, and neither worthless nor very valuable. You can search E-bay, ETSY, and the like for similar jewelry, or ask a jeweler or pay-service for an appraisal if not satisfied with my guess, which is based on little except a 10-minute google :-)
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
May 11, 2022
Q. My name is Matt and I am trying to identify this ring I got from my grandmothers estate before I propose to my girlfriend. It is a 10k rose gold engagement ring with a Chanel logo underneath the main stone on the inside, slanted figure 8 stamp inside of square, with two breaks in the stamping almost appearing like L7 on the inside of the band.
The side view of the ring shows a crown with a pink diamond in the center. The Ariel view displays a larger oval diamond inside of the diamond halo the top of the band on both sides splits and reconnects three times on each side for six total openings. The top on each side holds pink oval diamonds and the diamond halo surround them as well as the middle opening.
- Toledo Ohio
May 17, 2022
Q. I bought a small bag of jewelry at an estate sale. The ring pictured was in the bag. The marking inside the ring is P OK. Do you know what this means?
- Macon Georgia
Q. What does a P * M on either white gold looking or silver looking ring mean?
Pamela Myers- Kansas city, Missouri
July 1, 2022
.
A. Hi. Maybe whoever gifted it to you had your initials engraved in it? Please send a pic of what you are describing because if it is a maker's mark there are tens of thousands and a graphic will offer at least an improved chance of help. Thanks.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. My wife has her grandmother's ring. It is stamped OKFC and wants to know what it means.
Tjomsland Johnson- Carlsbad, California
July 12, 2022
A. Hi Tjomsland. When google fails to find any info on something, as in this case, it's usually because not enough info has been offered. Please send a pic of the ring and its stamping to mooney@finishing.com for posting here.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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