Finding and Identifying Silver Hallmarks on Different Pieces. With almost any silver or silverplate item, youll notice tiny stamped marks somewhere on the piece. These can take the form of pictures, words, names, letters, or numbers. It may help to have a magnifying glass and some silver polish handy.
What is the stamp mark for silver?
Lion Passant A stamp indicating the purity of the silver is called the assayers mark. The mark for silver meeting the sterling standard of purity is the Lion Passant, but there have been other variations over the years, most notably the mark indicating Britannia purity.
How do you date sterling silver?
Because Sterling Silver is 92.5% silver, the common purity mark used today is “925.” Most vintage Sterling Silver pieces have the older marks: “STERLING,” “STER,” or “STG.” Some modern jewelry today will use “STERLING” either with “925” or without it, usually in conjunction with the makers mark.
How do you identify sterling silver hallmarks?
For example, the lion passant is standard to identify a piece as sterling silver. If this mark isnt there, it means the piece is most likely silver plated. You can find a list of the common town marks, date letters, and other hallmarks online or in a number of different guide books.
What does a sterling silver mark look like?
American sterling silver is marked with one of the following hallmarks: “925,” “. 925,” or “S925.” the 925 indicates that the piece contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals.
What does the letter H mean on silver?
The makers 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 do the symbols mean on silver?
They include: 1) symbol for the town in which the silver content was certified, called an assay or town mark; 2) symbol for the year of manufacture called the date letter; 4) symbol for the standard mark guaranteeing the silver content. The English silver standard is also 925/1000.
What is the difference between sterling silver and 925 silver?
A: Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of other metals, usually copper. Silver jewelry marked with a 925 is sterling silver jewelry that has been certified to contain 92.5% silver content. Sterling silver is harder than silver and is more suitable for jewelry making.
Do pawn shops take 925 silver?
Multiply the weight of your bullion or jewelry (just the silver part) by the percentage of silver that your Fineness symbol indicates. For example, lets say your silver weighs 21.4 grams and that it is . 925 (sterling silver). Since sterling silver is 92.5% silver, you would take .