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.
750 ⭐️ 389 VA stamped on the earrings, let me know what that means? Thanks
May I ask if you have checked with jeweller if 389 is real gold? Thanks
Hi there,
This doesn’t seem to be a known gold stamp.
I’m with all those just above here with a “10”. I have an eagle ring with just a10 behind one of its wings. But the ring appears to be silver. What do you make of it,?
Italian stamp for 18K Gold, star 389 VA is the registration number for the goldsmith in Varese.
What does 750 star16 mean? I know 750 is 18k gold but any idea about star#?
I saw a post in another discussion & they had a 14k gold with star8.
Could it be that star8, star16, star24 would correspond to 14k,18k,24k respectively?
Just what came to mind after reading that.
Thanks for your time!
It’s probably the manufacturer’s stamp. It’s redundant to stamp it twice with the metal content.
425k TM is what it looks like but unsure what does it mean if it is
Hi Shayla,
If the item is gold that probably means 42.5% gold.
Let me know if you have any more questions!
Annabelle
My mothers sapphire and diamond ring also has the marks PLR and PMS8 (or could be a B) stamped on it as well as 375 which I know about. What do the first letters mean please. I don’t wear the ring as it’s a bit of a knuckle duster!
I was given my mothers ring when she passed away 8 years ago. This ring is gold with 4 slightly large stone in the middle and 14 smaller stones around them. Inside the band on one side it has LOI3 and on the other side it has 14KP. The rings stones all make it look like a rounded marquise shape. Could you tell me what all it means?
Thank you
14KP is for 14 Karat Plumb Gold. This means that it is exactly 14K. Most things marked 14K are somewhere between 13-15K gold actually.
My jewelry has 925 and 30 engraved on it. What does the 30 mean?
I have a pendant with the number 7970 on it with a C inside a circle and B any idea?
Hi Sharon,
This is pretty cool! If your pendant is old, the 7970 might be a patent number that corresponds to the year 1875. As for the C in a circle, that’s a copyright symbol.
Annabelle
I have been left a ring that has 10 small dimmonds inside it says 18ct fine plat with the numbers 7449 is this real?
I have an ear ring that has two marks on it one us in a circle and looks like a s and a backward j almost a u. The other is a TH all by itself. I hope its good but I’m not sure.
Hi Jackie,
Going off your description, it could possibly be from Thailand (due to the TH) or manufactured by the International Silver Company if your item is silver. The backwards j might be a rubbed out C.
Annabelle
If it’s AU it could mean gold as that’s its symbol on the periodic table.
I got a ring stamp .77 and 10k its 3 round diamonds what is it worth
What does ys Italy stamp on my ring means?
Hi Ravit,
The YS may be a designer mark or a term describing the metal, I’d have to know more about your ring to tell you. Italy is most likely the place of origin.
Annabelle
I have a bangle in a very dark gunmetal colour. It’s Solid Silver. Inside it has. LetterT in a circle. Who’s make is it
Hi Patricia,
That manufacturer’s stamp has been used by both high-end jewelry manufacturers and artisans. If you can provide more detail about its approximate appearance and age it’ll be easier to narrow down who made it.
Hi Annabelle I have a gold or gold-plated bracelet with the stamp ” H & S ” on the inside edge of it. A manufacturer’s initials?? Any ideas??
Most likely a manufacturer’s stamp. It doesn’t indicate anything about the metal content.
Hi Annabelle i have a pair of earing with the stamp “G” inside. What does it mean? Thank you
Ive got a bracelet with E5 on one end and s/c on the other , anyone help with that?
Hi Shannon,
The s/c might be Sarah Coventry, especially if there’s a copyright symbol as well.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Annabelle
Mine has 10k then thl. I know 10k is 10 carrot gold but what is thl?
Hi Bonnie,
THL is the stamp of the manufacturer, most likely Samuel Aaron. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Annabelle
Hi I have a large broach with 042 stamped on the back what does this mean?
Hi Fiona,
042 doesn’t seem to correspond with any known metal stamps, so it’s probably a designer mark. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Annabelle
My ring is stamped with 925 and also 6TB what does that mean exactly
Hi Jerry,
925 means sterling silver. As for the 6TB, it’s the designer/manufacturer’s stamp. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Annabelle
WHAT IS AH18K/
Manufacturer’s stamp, 75% gold content.
I have a chain that is written like MJ5 or MJs it’s not visible, and also has a stamp written 226. It’s very confusing which metal it is, can’t find even in the internet too.
Hi Tokato,
The MJ5 is probably a designer trademark. As for 226, that is a platinum stamp that is no longer in use. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Annabelle
I have come across a 10k gold ring and the stamp sez incase then a U with an arrow through it, 10k SE
Hi Bob,
Sounds like it’s an Uncas ring. They used that particular trademark from 1920 to the 1980s, and they’re still in business today. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Annabelle
The ring I have seems to be dark green torquise, silver with a bird symbol and two diamonds and a 3 stamped on the band. I’m from the NW. Native American or maybe Alaska Ring? How do I research?
Hi Cheryl,
That does sound like Native American/Southwestern inspired jewelry. There’s also a possibility that it might be Mexican since you said it’s silver; if the bird shape is rather eagle-like this item could be from the 1940s-1970s. If you want to find out more, there are groups you can join on Facebook that specialize in trading and identifying Native American/Mexican silver jewelry.
Annabelle
I have a ring with NRT and the number 7 stamped on a silver looking ring with a diamond looking gem. What does that mean? (I’m kind of assuming the ring isn’t real but I’d like to know what the markings mean.)
Hi Kira,
NRT is a stamp associated with Avon. Based on your description, the ring is most likely costume jewelry, which Avon is famous for producing. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Annabelle
I have a ring with three markings, 925, Mexico and TD=207. I can’t figure out what TD=207 means. It might also be TO=207.
Hi Ranae,
Based on your description, your ring is 925 sterling silver, from Mexico. The TD-207 is a specific mark system that was established around 1979. The first letter, T, stands for the city in which it was made, which is Taxco. The second letter is the first letter of the smith’s last name (in this case D or O) and the 207 is his assay number. I hope that helps; if you would like to get a value for the ring you should check out our jewelry appraisal service! Let me know if you have any more questions.
Annabelle
I have a ring stamped 14k scc what does scc mean?
Hi Ashley,
“scc” is most likely the manufacturer/designer’s stamp.
I have a color silver ring stamped 0802 inside the ring and a big letter D. What is the meaning of the number and the letter maam.?Thank you.
The “0802” stamp could be a reference number or batch code used by the manufacturer, while the big letter “D” is likely the maker’s mark, identifying the jeweler or brand that produced the ring. Unfortunately, these marks don’t always give specific details about the material or time period. Our jewelry appraisal service can help you look into your ring further! 🙂
What does ent stamp mean on a pearl nacklace
Hi Mitchell,
That sounds like the designer trademark instead of a metal stamp. Are you sure it’s just ENT? There’s a jewelry manufacturer called MJ ENT; they produced a lot of vintage costume jewelry. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Annabelle
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