An Introduction to Antique Jewelry Hallmarks

Welcome to Antique Jewelry Investor and an introduction to Antique Jewelry Hallmarks and jewelry markings on Gold & Platinum Antique Jewelry.

If you've been searching for basic information on collecting Antique Jewelry, then take a turn here: Antique Jewelry buying basics, will guide you through the basic steps of how to invest money safely in Antique Jewelry.

One of our most frequent questions that crop up about identifying Antique Jewelry,concerns the marks on jewelry.

Many people do not realize that there are thousands upon thousands of types of marks, from countries all over the world.

It's not surprising then, that when it comes to hallmarks on Antique Jewelry, many people are unsure if jewelry marks are an essential requirement before taking the plunge and

For example, are British Hallmarks (UKHM) really the best in the world? And who says so? British Antique Jewelry collectors?

For a comprehensive look at British Hallmarks on Gold, Silver and Platinum, including Historic British Hallmarks click HERE. (this page opens a new window - it's a pdf file and a bit slow to load but well worth the wait.)

Other countries, besides Great Britain, have Antique Jewelry hallmarks. Around the former colonies of the British Empire, these marks are just not seen so often.

Some investment worthy jewels, in fact, some of the more interesting, are not hallmarked. Take custom-made Antique Jewelry for example in these areas. Antique Indian Jewelry and Antique Ethnic Jewelry, from the Arabian peninsula often do not bear antique jewelry hallmarks or markings. Providing they are authentic these jewels are valuable and highly sought after.

"So what's your favorite Antique Jewelry? " This is the question I'm asked most often and one of hardest questions to answer. Some of the most spectacular jewelry pieces in the world today have been handcrafted by desert society dwellers who had no affinity with jewelry marks.

This does not mean these pieces are not investment worthy or valuable. In fact, the opposite is true. The uniqueness of the design and the rarity factor overrides the importance of gold hallmarks or silver hallmarks.

British Jewelry with a full UKHM (United Kingdom Hall Mark) generally consist of the following marks:

UKHMs have been around long time. Striking a mark on British gold, originated in 1327 when King Edward III of England granted a charter to the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths marking the beginning of the Company's formal existence.

The headquartered were at London's "Goldsmiths' Hall of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmith" and this is where the English term "hallmark" came from.

Antique jewelry Hallmarks may have been applied by a trusted party known as the 'guardians of the craft' but that unfortunately is not the case today. Back then, it guaranteed a certain purity or fineness of the metal.

I Swear - Gold?

The guardians of the craft took their position seriously. Penalties for counterfeits were severe. In 1397 a report was made on the false counterfeit stamps of two goldsmiths who were placed in the pillory at Westminster with their ears nailed to it and a ticket over their heads on which their offenses were written. They each had one ear cut off!

Antique Jewelry Hallmarks, include the assay mark or quality mark that indicates the ‘Quality’ of precious metal in the item. An assay office undertakes the job of testing all articles of silver, gold and platinum, to ensure that they meet the minimum standard of purity. [You can find more information on the properties and the metals used in antique jewelry here] (Under construction at time of writing).

For example, 9ct (.375) mark in a yellow gold piece of jewelry shows there is only 375 parts of gold out of 1000 parts of metal. The other 625 parts of metal is a mix of Copper, Silver and Zinc.

The second stamp is the 'origin mark' or 'assay office' mark or ‘Mark of Origin’.

It simply tells you where the item was assayed. A Leopard’s Head is the most common and is, yes, you guessed it! It's the mark of the LONDON Assay Office.

Sometimes the Leopard has a crown on his Head. (until circa 1821). The Leopard Head, is the King's mark!

The other most common Assay Office marks are from Birmingham (an Anchor).

Once there were many Assay offices around Great Britain and Ireland, the Chester mark for instance. There are only three offices left in England now, which is a statement in itself.

Sheffield is the last, using a ‘Rose’ on antique gold Jewelry - the rose is symbolic. I hope you have enjoyed an introduction to Antique Jewelry Hallmarks. Please check back often as new pages are added daily.

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