I really hope this post helps someone the way it did me. Sometime precious metals like gold, silver and platinum, depending on the country that manufactured the piece has markings that may be foreign to you or unfamiliar at the very least. We all recognize 14kt, 10kt and 18kt but do you know that in other countries the markings can be entirely different? For instance, 14kt in the United kingdom is often marked 585. In cases like this, due to lack of knowledge, lots of people have given away or mistook precious metals for costume jewelry. Sadly, this happens more often than you think.  When I started selling on Ebay, I had a similar experience that taught me an invaluable lesson. One of the pieces I sold was a platinum bracelet with the markings 950. I had no idea it was platinum and sold it as costume jewelry for little or nothing. Needless to say, I lost that piece and the customer who bought it probably fist pumped when he or she received it. That is...if they knew what it was. The bracelet was worth at least $550.00 (I am too ashamed to tell you what I sold it for.) It still hurts today to recall the incident. And so, please take a minute to look at this chart, it may save you from the same horror......or, you may find that you have precious metals in your collection that you didn't even know you had! |
Metal Stamps
| Metal stamp | Minimum percentage of pure metal | Common alloys** |
| .925 Sterling SilverAlso: 925 Sterling, Sterling Silver* | 92.5% pure fine silver | Usually copper |
10kAlso: 16, 417, 10KP*
| 41.6% pure gold (10 parts out of 24) | Usually silver, copper, zinc, and nickel |
14kAlso: 583, 585, 14KP*
| 58.3% pure gold (14 parts out of 24) | Usually silver, copper, zinc, and nickel |
18kAlso: 750, 18KP*
| 75% pure gold (18 parts out of 24) | Usually silver, copper, nickel, and palladium (for white gold) |
22kAlso: 916, 917*
| 91.6% pure gold (22 parts out of 24) | Usually silver and copper |
24kAlso: 999*
| 100% pure gold (24 parts out of 24) | None |
900 PlatinumAlso: 900 Plat, Plat 900, Pt900, 900Pt*
| 90% pure platinum (900 parts out of 1,000) | Ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, and other platinum group metals |
950 PlatinumAlso: PLAT, PT, 950 Plat, Plat 950, Pt950, 950Pt*
| 95% pure platinum (950 parts out of 1,000) | Ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, and other platinum group metals |
*Alternate stamp or European hallmark
**May vary depending on desired color, such as white gold or rose gold
Additional Information
Additional Information
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Cherio! |
