Have you ever looked at the small markings on the corner of your gold jewelry or even on silver coins and wondered what they stood for? Those little stamps, otherwise known as hallmarks, purity marks, or stamps, hold the secret in telling you whether your gold or silver is real, where it originated from, and how pure it really is.

Whether you want to buy precious metals or simply learn more about what you already have, this guide will help you understand what all those confusing marks are trying to tell you.

What are Stamps, Marks and Hallmarks?

Let’s start with the basics:

Stamps are simple markings that provide information about the purity, with examples being “24K” for gold or “999” for silver.

Marks include logos or symbols from the manufacturer or designer, so you know who made it.

Hallmarks are simply official governmental-regulated stamps that validate the fineness of a metal. These are much more common in countries where there are strict regulations in place.

Taken together, these markings provide the whole picture of what one is buying or owning.

How to Decode Gold Stamps

Gold purity is measured in karats (K) or as a percentage. Here’s what the most common stamps mean:

24K: Pure gold, that is, 99.9% gold. It is the most valued but soft and less durable.

18K: 75% gold mixed with other metals for durability. It’s great for jewelry.

14K: 58.3% gold, the most popular because of its strong balance between quality and durability.

10K: 41.7% gold, the most affordable but with a lower gold content.

You can also see other numerals like 999, 750, or 585 in place of karats. For example, 999 represents pure gold, while 750 denotes 18K gold.

How to Decipher Silver Stamps

Silver is generally stamped with numbers instead of karats to denote purity:

999: Fine silver, fineness 99.9%. The usual fineness in coins and bars.

925: Silver sterling, 92.5% purity. It is utilized in various jewelry and cutlery.

800: This marking is used for older or antique silver items, indicating that it contains 80% silver.

These numbers may be accompanied by symbols in countries that are very particular about hallmarking, like the UK. The lion mark is a typical example, which states that the piece is sterling silver in the UK.

Other Marks to Look For

You don’t necessarily need to only look out for purity, here are other markings that can give you more information about your bullion:

Assay Office Hallmarks

In some countries, the precious metals are assayed and stamped by official government offices, called assay offices. For example:

In the UK, the head of a leopard is used to represent gold and silver items from the London Assay Office.

Swiss-made gold often bears the hallmark of a small goat; it is the Swiss Federal Assay Office.

Mint Marks

Coins often have markings that show where they were minted. For example:

A maple leaf on a coin means it’s from the Royal Canadian Mint.

“P” or “D” on a U.S. coin indicates that the coin was produced in Philadelphia or Denver.

Serial Numbers and Weight

Bars of gold and silver often have their weight stamped with a serial number so that one could trace the origin easily.

Why are these marks significant?

If you will be buying or selling gold and silver, you need to know what these marks mean. They serve to:

1. Purity Check: Make sure you get what you pay for.
2. Confirm Authenticity: Avoid fakes by checking for reputable stamps or hallmarks.
3. Assess Value: Stamps make it easier to determine an item’s worth in the market.

Why buy bullion from AU?

Here at AU Bullion, we take every step to make your gold and silver investing smooth as silk. Every product clearly states its stamp so you have the confidence in your buy. So, what does this certain stamp mean? That’s where our team will further explain all the minute details you need to know about so as to make the correct investment.

Final Thoughts

Next time you see a gold ring or a silver bar, look closely at those minute marks; they are telling you a story. Whether it is the purity, origin, or authenticity of the item, the information carried by those stamps is really valuable.

If you’re ready to build your collection, or if you need further information, AU Bullion is here to guide you through the process. We only have high-quality, clearly marked precious metals that are competitively priced to ensure that you know precisely what you are getting.

Invest with confidence today at AU Bullion!