Signed Jewelry.

 

Those tiny marks imprinted on jewelry can carry a wealth of knowledge. They are the key to solving who made the piece, where and when it was made, metal fineness, style number, etc. One specific type of mark – the Maker’s Mark – is the key to the first “W” – Who made this? 

​

While most countries, including the U.S. do not require the manufacturer to register their maker’s marks, "Trademarks" are compulsory for antique jewelry and jewelry created in France.

 

Hallmarks, often called quality marks or purity marks, are official stamps that guarantee the type of precious metal that makes up the piece and its purity. 

​

Hallmarks and Trademarks can enormously affect the value of a piece of jewelry, and identifying these minute clues requires diligence and a serious reference database.