How do I identify a silver hallmark?
READING BRITISH SILVER HALLMARKS
- STEP 1 – LOOK FOR THE STANDARD MARK. There are 5 standard marks found on British Silver.
- STEP 2 – LOOK FOR THE TOWN MARK.
- STEP 3 – LOOK FOR THE DUTY MARK.
- STEP 4 – LOOK FOR THE DATE LETTER.
- STEP 5 – LOOK FOR THE MAKER’S MARK.
What do markings on silver mean?
Certain markings on silver indicate where the silver originated from or where it was manufactured. For example, the lion marking indicates British sterling and since the mark has changed over the years, the lion mark actually indicates a specific time period of silver dating.
What are the markings for silver plate?
The maker or company name is usually stamped on the back of the piece along with an indication that it’s plated: In America, for instance, these marks are A1, AA, EP, or the full phrases “sterling inlaid”, or “silver soldered.” According to industry standards, AA has one-third as much silver used in plating as does A1 …
How do you identify hallmarks?
The four components of a hallmark are: the sponsor or maker’s mark, the standard mark, the assay office mark and the date letter for the year. Hallmark identification should answer four important questions – where; what; when; who.
Does all silver have a hallmark?
The vast majority of items made from sterling silver contain a quality mark, a stamp placed in a discreet spot that denotes its purity. These marks will say “. 925” or “925” or “S925” or sometimes “Sterling.” Along with the quality mark, a hallmark (the maker’s registered mark) must also be placed on the piece.
How do I get hallmark silver?
You can stamp your own work with a 925 stamp to say that it is made from sterling silver. However this does not act as a hallmark and hallmarking rules stated above still apply. You can only use a 925 stamp if your design uses genuine sterling silver.
Can I hallmark my own silver?
