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.
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/
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 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! 🙂
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 🙂
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 🙂
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 🙂
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/
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.
Can you identify this one? It’s rigid and heavy. Was told it’s Judith Ripka. Thank you!
The other side
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/.
What does engraving circle with c in the middle of circle mean
Thank you so much for commenting, Mary! The circle with a “C” inside engraving typically represents a copyright symbol (©). In jewelry, this mark is often used alongside the manufacturer’s name or logo to indicate that the design is copyrighted or trademarked by the maker.
It doesn’t indicate the material or gemstone but helps identify the brand or designer. If there are any other hallmarks or letters nearby, they might give more clues about the jeweler or origin! If you’d like to know more, you may want to try our jewelry appraisal service through this link – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
What does WGI mean on a silver ring looks like it has the diamond in it or something what does WGI mean
Thank you so much for commenting again, John! The WGI stamp on your silver ring most likely stands for World Gemological Institute, a jewelry certification company. If your ring has a stone, WGI could indicate that the diamond or gemstone was certified by them.
However, the stamp alone doesn’t confirm if it’s a diamond — it usually means the stone is lab-tested or certified. If you’d like to know more, you may want to try our jewelry appraisal service through this link – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
Hey I have a silver ring but it says WGI on it does anybody know what that means is it a diamond?
Thank you so much for commenting, John! The WGI stamp on your silver ring most likely stands for World Gemological Institute, a jewelry certification company. If your ring has a stone, WGI could indicate that the diamond or gemstone was certified by them.
However, the stamp alone doesn’t confirm if it’s a diamond — it usually means the stone is lab-tested or certified. If you’d like to know more, you may want to try our jewelry appraisal service through this link – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
I have a diamond ring that has 10k and NYC stamped on it. What does the NYC mean?
Thank you so much for commenting, Name! The 10K stamp means your ring is made of 10-karat gold (41.7% pure gold).
The NYC likely represents the manufacturer’s mark or indicates that the ring was made in New York City, a common jewelry manufacturing hub. If you’d like to know more, you may want to try our jewelry appraisal service through this link – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
I have a ring that has
B^C CN on it what does it mean?
Thank you so much for commenting, Joyce! B^C CN likely means the ring was made in China by a specific jewelry brand. If you’d like to know more, you may want to try our jewelry appraisal service through this link – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
Was wondering what the RL stood for
“10K” means 10 karat gold, and “RL” is likely the maker’s mark. If you’d like help identifying the origin more specifically, you may want to check our appraisal service through this link – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/ 🙂
i have a tennis bracelet that has 12 cz then 925 stamped on it what does this mean
It means your tennis bracelet is made of sterling silver (925) and has 12 cubic zirconia (CZ) stones. 😊
I have a silverish ring with just 18 written on it ..not 18ct,not 18k just 18 ..what does it mean ..Wanted to know before getting it hand checked ..
It’s not a standard purity mark for gold or silver. “18” alone could mean a lot of things—possibly 18K gold, a model number, or just a random marking. Best to have a jeweler test it to be sure! 😊 You may also check our jewelry appraisal service if you’d like to know more specific information about your piece – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
I have a pair of gold hooped earrings. Only one of the pair is stamped Italy. There is no mark to indicate the karat. The earrings weigh 17 grams in total. Are these fake? I did the water test and the earrings sunk to the bottom of the bowl. Thank you.
Hi Deborah, thanks for commenting! The fact that only one earring is stamped and there’s no karat mark makes it difficult to determine if they are real gold. However, here are a few things to consider:
The “Italy” Stamp – This usually indicates that the piece was made in Italy, but it doesn’t confirm gold purity.
No Karat Stamp – Most real gold jewelry is stamped with “10K,” “14K,” “18K,” etc. The absence of a stamp could be a red flag, but some older or custom pieces may not have one.
Weight & Water Test – Gold is dense, so sinking in water is a good sign, but it’s not a definitive test for authenticity.
Magnet Test – Try placing a strong magnet near the earrings. If they are attracted to the magnet, they are not solid gold.
Acid Test or XRF Testing – The most reliable way to verify gold authenticity is to have it tested by a jeweler using an acid test or XRF machine.
If you want to be sure, I’d recommend taking them to a jeweler for proper testing. You may also check our appraisal service if you’re looking to get more specific infomration about your piece through this link – https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/jewelry-appraisal/
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