Jewelry Stamps Meaning: 925, 14K, 750 and More [Chart]
Jewelry stamps state the metal’s purity. Gold is marked in karats (10K, 14K, 18K) or parts per thousand (417, 585, 750). Silver uses parts per thousand: 925 means sterling, 92.5% silver. Platinum is often PT950 or PLAT. Marks such as GF, GP, HGE, EP and EPNS mean plated or filled, not solid metal. A stamp is a claim, not proof, so a jeweler should test anything valuable.
Gold stamps
| Karat stamp | Number stamp | Gold content |
|---|---|---|
| 8K | 333 | 33.3% |
| 9K | 375 | 37.5% |
| 10K | 416 or 417 | 41.7% |
| 14K | 583 or 585 | 58.3 to 58.5% |
| 18K | 750 | 75% |
| 22K | 916 | 91.6% |
| 24K | 999 or 9999 | 99.9% or more |
A karat is one 24th part, so 18K is 18 parts gold out of 24. KP (karat plumb) after the number, as in 14KP, means the piece is at least that karat throughout, including solder.
Gold-colored, but not solid gold
| Stamp | Meaning |
|---|---|
| GF, or 1/20 14K GF | Gold filled: a thick layer of gold bonded to a base metal. 1/20 means the gold is one twentieth of the total weight |
| RGP | Rolled gold plate: like gold filled but a thinner layer |
| GP, GEP | Gold plated, gold electroplated: a thin surface layer |
| HGE, HGP | Heavy gold electroplate: a thicker plating, still a plating |
| Vermeil | Gold plated sterling silver |
Silver stamps
| Stamp | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 999, FS | Fine silver, 99.9% |
| 958 | Britannia silver, 95.8% |
| 925, Sterling, STER, STG | Sterling silver, 92.5% |
| 900 | Coin silver, 90% |
| 835, 800 | Common in older European silver |
| EP, EPNS, SP, Silverplate | Silver plated over another metal |
| Nickel silver, German silver, Alpaca | A copper, nickel and zinc alloy with no silver in it |
925 Italy means sterling silver made in Italy (or marked for sale as Italian). 925 with a maker’s name or logo is the same purity plus the brand.
Platinum, palladium and other marks
- PT950, PLAT, 950 PT: 95% platinum. PT900 and PT850 mean 90% and 85%.
- PD950, PALL: palladium, 95%.
- 316L, SS, Stainless: stainless steel.
- TI: titanium. W or TC: tungsten carbide.
- CZ: the stone is cubic zirconia, not diamond.
- 1/2 CT TW or .50: total diamond weight in carats.
- LAB or LGD: lab-grown diamond.
UK hallmarks
A full British hallmark is a set of small stamps applied by an independent assay office, not by the seller:
- Sponsor’s mark: initials of the maker or importer inside a shield.
- Fineness mark: the parts per thousand number, such as 375, 750 or 925.
- Assay office mark: a leopard’s head for London, an anchor for Birmingham, a rose for Sheffield and a castle for Edinburgh.
- Date letter: optional, a letter in a shield that shows the year.
A symbol of balance scales with a number is the Common Control Mark, used under an international hallmarking convention.
Where to find the stamp
- Rings: inside the band, usually at the bottom opposite the stone.
- Necklaces and bracelets: on the clasp, or on a small tag next to it.
- Earrings: on the post or the back of the hook.
- Pendants: on the bail (the loop the chain goes through) or the back.
- Watches: inside the case back.
How to read a tiny or worn stamp
- Clean it gently with a soft brush and soapy water. Dirt fills stamped letters.
- Light it from a low angle. Stamps are pressed in, so side light fills them with shadow and the letters stand out. Light from directly above hides them in reflections.
- Magnify 5x to 10x and turn the piece slowly. Curved ring bands show one or two characters at a time.
- Photograph it so you can zoom in on the photo and keep a record for insurance.
LoupeLens helps here because you can dim the flashlight while zoomed, which cuts glare on polished metal. For inspecting stones and settings too, see iPhone loupe and the jewelry and hallmark inspection page.
Can a jewelry stamp be fake?
Yes. A stamp is the maker’s claim, and anyone can stamp 925 or 14K on base metal. Warning signs: a different color showing through on edges and clasps where plating wears, green or black marks on your skin, a stamp that looks crooked or shallow on an otherwise fine piece, or a heavy price for a very light piece. A magnet is a quick first check: gold, silver and platinum are not magnetic, so a strong pull means base metal, although no pull proves nothing. For anything valuable, a jeweler can test the metal with acid or an XRF analyzer in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What does 925 mean on jewelry?
925 means sterling silver: 92.5% silver mixed with another metal, usually copper, for strength. You may also see Sterling, STER or STG.
Is 585 the same as 14K gold?
Yes. 585 means 585 parts gold per 1000, which is 14 karat. Older American pieces may be stamped 583 for the same karat.
What does 750 mean on gold?
750 means 75% gold, which is 18 karat.
What does HGE mean on a ring?
HGE means heavy gold electroplate. The ring has a layer of gold over another metal and is not solid gold.
What does 925 Italy mean?
It means sterling silver, 92.5% silver, made in Italy or marked for sale as Italian.
Can I trust a jewelry stamp?
A stamp is a claim, not proof. It is a good start for identifying a piece, but anything valuable should be tested by a jeweler.