Many of us have seen the small numbers or letters engraved inside a ring band or near the clasp of a piece of jewelry that we own. But how many of us understand what information those stamps are actually giving us?
In this post, we’ll walk through the different stamps, what they mean, and what you need to know about stamping laws to ensure you’re getting the most accurate information about your jewelry. Let’s start with the basics:
- 10K, 14K, 18K, 24K, etc – if this is the ONLY stamp on the piece, it is telling you first and foremost that the piece is solid gold and secondly, the karat fineness of the gold. For example, let’s look at 14K. 14 out of 24 particles in the metal are pure gold. The others can be a mix of elements including palladium, copper, etc. These additional elements are what determine the specific color of the gold (we’ll talk about this in an upcoming post).
750 stamp on jewelry means 18k Gold - 417, 585, or 750 – this is just another way of telling us the gold content. However, instead of referring to how many parts out of 24 are pure gold, this number is now out of 1,000. So for 10K gold jewelry, 417 out of 1,000 parts are pure gold. For 14K gold jewelry, 585 parts out of 1,000 are pure gold. So when you see 750 that means 18K gold jewelry because the metal is made of 750 parts per 1,000 of pure gold.
- 900, 900PT, PT900, 950, 950PT, PT950 – all of these stamps designate that the piece is made of one of the two most common platinum alloys. 900, 900PT, or PT 900 all signify that the metal used is 900 parts per 1,000 pure platinum, while 950, 950PT, and PT950 denote 950 parts per 1,000 are pure platinum.
- 925 – a piece with this stamp is made of sterling silver. Legally, to be considered sterling silver a piece has to consist of 92.5% pure silver, with only 7.5% other elements mixed in.
- GP – pieces with this stamp have been plated with gold, but have another metal underneath. It almost always has the karat fineness of the plating listed, i.e. 18K GP.
- HGE – this is the abbreviation for high grade electroplate, which is another way of denoting that the jewelry you are looking at is not solid gold. These pieces also generally display the karat fineness of the gold.
- GF – this stands for gold-filled, which is a term that means a thin layer of gold was bonded to a base metal to make this piece.
So now that we have the basic stamp meanings down, let’s go through some of the most frequently asked questions that we hear from customers:
There’s another symbol next to the metal content stamp that isn’t on your list. What does that mean?
Most likely, the stamp you are seeing here is the manufacturer’s trademark or the trademark of the retailer selling the piece. This is legally required if the item is stamped and serves as a guarantee of sorts that the manufacturer/retailer vouches for the accuracy of the stamp on the metal.
My jewelry piece isn’t stamped at all. Does this mean it’s not made of precious metal?
Not necessarily. The legal guidelines on stamping don’t require all pieces made of precious metal to be stamped. However, they do require the manufacturer or retailer to disclose any precious metal content. This could be via discussion in the store upon purchase, on a tag attached to the piece, or on the receipt for the product itself.
The clasp/closure/earring backs on my piece are stamped, but the rest of the item is not. Does that mean the whole thing is made of precious metal?
Again, not necessarily. Sometimes the clasp of a piece is made of a different metal than the chain, so definitely confirm with the store clerk or jeweler that the entire item is made of the metal from the stamping. Likewise, earring backs may have been accidentally swapped and may not be made of the same metal as the rest of the earrings, especially the posts, so double checking is always best.
My piece has a name/date engraved on it. Is this the designer or year that the piece was made?
For well-known brands and designers, this can be the case, but it isn’t necessarily a correct assumption. For example, Tiffany & Co. has several Paloma Picasso designs that would be engraved as such and may include the date. However, it could also be that the piece is vintage or estate and was engraved with the previous owner’s name, anniversary, etc.
What other questions do you have about jewelry stamp meanings?
Community Discussion
Questions, experiences, and expert answers from the QJR community.
Hi, I just recently bought 2 second hand rings. They are both JWD rings. The one says 10-14K and the other says 0-14K but there’s a chance that part of it might have been polished off. Does the 10-14K part mean that it could be anywhere from 10 to 14 karat gold or do you think it means something else?
Hi Bailey! 10-14K should not be read as a guaranteed range from 10k to 14k. A worn stamp, an additional maker code, or different components can complicate the reading. Please have each ring tested if you need to confirm its actual gold content rather than relying on the partial marks. You can see the relevant service here: https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/metal-testing/.
The other side
Can you identify this one? It’s rigid and heavy. Was told it’s Judith Ripka. Thank you!
What does 10 KWB mean?
Hi Luis, thanks for your comment! 10 KWB means 10-karat white gold bonded, indicating a layer of white gold bonded to a base metal.
I have a pair of earrings that have the pi symbol engraved where a marking (ex. 10k) would be. Is that the manufacturers mark or something else? I can’t find anything about it online
The Pi symbol engraved on your earrings is likely a manufacturer’s hallmark or a unique identifier for the jeweler or company that crafted the piece. While it doesn’t provide direct information about the metal’s purity, it could be linked to a specific brand or artisan. Since you haven’t found information online, consulting a professional jeweler or appraiser would be the best way to trace its origin and determine its significance. You may check the details of our appraisal service here – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
Hey there, I have a golden ring that I can’t tell how much carat it has. On the ring I can’t really read it that properly but i think it says 1-Z or 1-7, not sure if it is 1 or I. What could this mean?
The markings “1-Z” or “1-7” on your golden ring could be a manufacturer’s code, batch number, or a style reference rather than an indicator of gold purity. To determine the carat, look for common purity marks such as “10K,” “14K,” or “18K,” which are standard indicators of gold content. If there are no recognizable marks, you can have the ring tested by a jeweler to confirm the gold content and carat value. Let us know if you’d like guidance on the next steps by sending us an email 🙂
Hi! There ,
Do not know what this mean.
Hi L.A, thanks for commenting! The image appears to show a gold-colored ring. If there are any markings or stamps on the inside of the ring, they might indicate the metal type, karat purity, or manufacturer. If you’d like to know more about the piece’s origin and value, you may want to check our Appraisal Service here on our website 🙂
I have a ring that has 7769 8×6 what does this mean?
The “7769” could be a style or model number for the ring, used by the manufacturer to identify the design. The “8×6” likely refers to the size of the gemstone setting, meaning it’s designed to hold a stone measuring 8mm by 6mm, typically an oval shape. Hope this helps! If you’d like to know more about the ring, you may check our Jewelry Appraisal service out here on our website 🙂
What does a star on the inside of my 10k white gold ring mean & has 2 dots after the star?!
The star symbol with two dots on the inside of your 10k white gold ring is likely a maker’s mark or jeweler’s stamp, used to identify the manufacturer or designer of the ring. Many jewelry brands use unique symbols, letters, or numbers in addition to metal purity stamps to signify their craftsmanship. If you’re curious about the specific maker, you might want to check our jewelry appraisal service! 🙂
Can anyone identify this hallmark?
The hallmark on this heart charm appears to read “3L” or possibly “31.” This marking could represent a specific maker’s mark, a model number, or possibly indicate gold plating thickness (though it’s not a standard hallmark for karat or purity). Without additional context or markings, it’s difficult to determine the exact origin or meaning.
For a more precise identification, you may want to avail our jewelry appraisal service 🙂
What does .H. mean inside of my ring?
The “.H.” inside your ring likely represents a maker’s mark or hallmark, indicating the jeweler or manufacturer. It could also be an engraving of initials. Our jewelry appraisal service can definitely help! – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
I have a gold rope chain that was my mother’s. The only stamp I can find on it is either an idly shaped M or W, depending on how you’re looking at it. It could be costume jewelry, but my mother had several 14K necklaces as well. Any help is appreciated!
The stamp on the necklace charm appears to be an “M” or “W,” but without further information or additional stamps like a gold purity mark (e.g., 14K, 10K), it’s difficult to determine whether it’s real gold or costume jewelry. If it lacks a typical gold hallmark, it could suggest that it’s costume jewelry. However, having it tested by a jeweler is the best way to confirm its material and authenticity. You may want to check out our appraisal service if you want to know more about your piece! – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
Hi I’ve got a 23k gold ring that also has PEE stamped on it. Does anyone know what this means?
The “PEE” stamp on your 23k gold ring likely refers to the manufacturer’s or designer’s mark, which is common in jewelry to indicate the maker or brand rather than the metal quality. It could be an abbreviation or initials of a specific jeweler or company. The 23k indicates the gold purity, which is 96.5% pure gold. If you’re curious about the exact origin of the “PEE” stamp, it might be more helpful to avail our jewelry appraisal service – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
I have a ring that has 14k and sl on the inside what does that mean
The “14k” stamp on your ring indicates that it is made of 14 karat gold, which means it contains 58.3% pure gold mixed with other metals for added strength.
The “SL” stamp is likely a manufacturer’s or designer’s mark, identifying the company or individual who made the ring. Jewelry stamps like these are often unique to specific brands or makers. If you’re curious about the exact origin of the “SL” mark, you may want to check our jewelry appraisal services – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
What could you tell me about this bracelet please
It’s stamped 18KGP but doesn’t attract to a magnet
The “18KGP” stamp means the bracelet is 18-karat gold-plated, with a thin layer of gold over a non-magnetic base metal, like brass or copper. Its lack of attraction to a magnet is normal for such metals. The green beads may be semi-precious stones like jade. For more details on the materials, you may want to check out our jewelry appraisal service! – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
My mum has a necklace with PL 18kt is it worth anything. It’s v heavy
The “PL 18kt” likely means the necklace is platinum and 18-karat gold. Both metals are valuable, and the weight suggests it could be worth a lot. If you want to know more about its value or origin you may want to check out our jewelry appraisal service – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
I have an old ring that I believe is a Jobs daughter’s rings with a 10k stamp but next to that is stamped either an eye or a ovalish circle with a raised center. Can you tell me anything please?
Hi Deb, thank you so much for commenting on our post! The “10k” stamp means the ring is 10-karat gold. The eye or oval symbol is likely the maker’s mark or a design related to Jobs Daughters. For more information, you may want to check our jewelry appraisal service! – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
I have a Ring that has 14KK stamped inside the band and I was just wondering why it has 2Ks after the number of 14 instead of just one K after the number of 14 like I have usually seen in the past on other rings and jewelry?
The “14KK” stamp inside your ring likely indicates that the ring is made of 14-karat gold, with the second “K” potentially standing for Karat again, though this is less common. The extra “K” could be a manufacturer’s mark or a variation in stamping practices from a specific jeweler or country. Some manufacturers use redundant markings for stylistic or regional reasons, but it doesn’t affect the gold content, which remains 14-karat. If you’re unsure, and would like to know more, you may want to try our appraisal service! 🙂
I have a ring of my father’s that has 10k 02 on it. What is the 02?
The “10K” on your father’s ring indicates that it is made of 10-karat gold, which means it contains 41.7% pure gold. The “02” is likely a manufacturer’s stamp, a style number, or a code that refers to the year the ring was made (possibly 2002), or it could be a reference to a specific design or production batch. This type of marking is common in jewelry to help track manufacturing details but doesn’t affect the gold content. If you’re curious about its exact meaning, you may want to try our appraisal service! 🙂
What does NVC 10 mean on a ring?
Thank you for your question! “NVC 10” on a ring typically refers to the manufacturer’s mark or the brand’s identification. The “10” likely represents the ring’s gold purity, indicating that it is made of 10-karat gold. Hope this helps 🙂
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