Jewelry Hallmark Guide

If you own a piece of precious metal jewelry, you have likely noticed a small stamp on a hidden part of the ring, necklace, bracelet or earring. These stamps are known as a jewelry hallmark, and appear on almost all precious metal jewelry. Jewelry hallmarking can give you clues as to the jewelry’s country of origin, metal content, purity, and the name – or initials – of the maker.

European Hallmarks

Hallmarking has a long and illustrious history that began in Europe during the 14th century. English and French jewelers in particular hallmarked their jewelry with elaborate designs and animal symbols to denote the origin of the jewelry, the metal, the purity, and the maker. Though intricate and lovely, the European hallmarks can be tough to decipher and are easily misinterpreted by a novice. Luckily for Americans, the U.S. jewelry hallmarking system is much easier to read.

American Hallmarks

Though many countries require jewelers to hallmark their precious metal jewelry, the United States interestingly does not. Yet despite the absence of a law mandating hallmarking, most U.S. fine jewelry does indeed come stamped to assure the purchaser of the quality of the metal. Since the purity of the metal is a major indicator of the jewelry’s value, many jewelry buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a piece that is hallmarked. However, it is important to note that a hallmark can also give a buyer a false sense of security since it is not tightly regulated in the U.S. Unscrupulous jewelers or street vendors can create their own hallmark to pass off poor quality jewelry as quality pieces. The most important factor is always to buy from a reputable jeweler.

Here is a quick rundown of the most common jewelry hallmarks that indicate the metal and purity:

U.S. Platinum Jewelry Hallmarks

Plat - A platinum ring marked with Plat or 950 Plat is considered nearly pure platinum (95% platinum) and is therefore quite expensive. 950 is the highest grade of platinum available for jewelry.

IridPlat - Platinum rings with this hallmark are 90% pure platinum with 10% other metals mixed in. These rings, also often marked with .90 Plat, cost less than their purer platinum counterpart above.

U.S. Gold Jewelry Hallmarks

10k - 10 karat gold is the lowest karat gold, and is composed of 10 parts gold to 14 parts other metals. 10 karat gold costs much less than higher gold purities.

14k - 14 karat gold is one of the most popular gold purities for gold jewelry. 14 karat gold is composed of 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals.

18k - 18 karat gold is very high quality gold, and is composed of 18 parts gold and 6 parts other metals.

24k - 24 karat gold is pure gold, and is the most expensive and most malleable gold composition. The addition of other metals to gold makes it stronger and more durable, since 24 karat gold is quite soft and is easily dented, dinged and bent.

U.S. Silver Jewelry Hallmarks

900 - The 900 stamp on silver denotes that the metal is 9 parts pure silver and one part alloy metal. This stamp was used mainly on silver coins and is not commonly used on jewelry in modern times.
925 - 925 is the hallmark stamp for sterling silver. This is the most common hallmark seen on silver jewelry, and means that the jewelry is composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals. Sterling silver is the highest quality silver used in jewelry, since pure silver is much too malleable to be worn on a daily basis.

Apples of Gold carries a wide variety of precious metal jewelry in different purities. This allows customers to choose the right gold karat for their taste and budget.  Check out our selection of beautiful gold and platinum wedding bands, earrings, bracelets and necklaces at Apples of Gold.com.

7 Most Unique Wedding Bands

We have hand-selected our most unique wedding bands from years past to today’s hottest new trends.

Celtic Heart Knot Wedding Band

If you look closely at the beautifully intertwined Celtic knots of this 14k two-tone gold wedding band, a heart pattern emanates from within the intricate patterns. Also 7mm wide, this is a high quality, handmade band (takes a few weeks to make, as each ring is individually crafted to order just for you!) View all Celtic Wedding Band Designs.

The Unity Design Wedding Band

In this unique wave design, a yellow gold half is permanently soldered together with a white gold half to create this high-end design wedding band, symbolizing your wedding union. Also available in all white gold or all yellow gold by request, band measures 7mm band. Also available in 18k two-tone gold and platinum & 18k gold.

Paisley Scroll Work Wedding Band

The 14k white gold paisley scroll work is reminiscent of the aged artwork of European sovereignty and divine muses. Rope border on each side distinguishes and sets apart the paisley design alongside two bands of white gold. Made in 8mm wide. Also available in two-tone gold, or platinum. View all Paisley Wedding Bands.

Blue Titanium Celtic Wedding Band

One of our most unique and best selling wedding rings, the Celtic knotwork on this unique and stylish titanium wedding band is permanently made blue through a custom anodizing process that will not wear out! Available in 6mm – 10mm widths (shown in 7mm). Titanium is an excellent choice for scratch-resistant wedding rings are made using aircraft grade titanium. View all Titanium Wedding Bands.

Jerusalem Cross Wedding Band

One of the most unique faith-inspired Christian wedding bands available on the market today! The Jerusalem cross represents a blending of the Tau Cross with the Crusader’s cross. Comes in 8mm – 10mm widhts (shown in 10mm). Available in 14K Rose Gold (shown), 14K White Gold, 14k yellow gold, or platinum.

1/2 Carat Diamond Paisley Wedding Band

A Unique hand-made paisley scroll wedding band made in 14k white gold with two rows of sparkling white diamonds in high quality, G-H Color, SI1-SI2 Clarity. Band measures a wide 10mm wide and is also available in two-tone gold, 18k white gold, all yellow gold or platinum by request. Paisley designed rings remain one of the most popular designs through the centuries! View more Diamond Wedding Bands.

Rose Gold Hammered Wedding Band

Rose gold is proving to be one of the most popular and unique metals of choice for wedding bands. Hammered bands are enduring classics whose versatility of design has made it one of the most popular picks among wedding bands. Our rose and white gold hammered band is shown in 6mm wide, but is available in almost any widths by request (including 4mm – 10mm widths). View All Hammered Wedding Bands from Apples of Gold.

For an ever more unique selection? Try our Personalized Wedding Bands.

Apples of Gold offers high quality wedding bands at prices you can afford!

Top 10 Wedding Bands – 2009

Apples of Gold has the latest wedding band trends of 2009, with fashion-conscious, affordable, uniquely-designed rings. But more importantly, we have selected bands that are not only in style today, but timeless . . . designs that will endure.

The Unity Wedding Band signifies two halves coming together in eternal union. The meaning behind this band is timeless and significant in today’s age. Also available in 18k gold and as a platinum and 18k gold wedding band. Each half is permanently soldered together.

View the Two-Tone Gold Unity Wedding Band from Apples of Gold, starting at a mere $375.00 (also available in all white or all yellow gold by request).

Hammered Wedding Bands will always endure–with their versatility in design and rugged good looks. Apples of Gold has taken this to the next level by infusing 2009’s popular metal–rose gold–in their Rose Gold and White Hammered Wedding Band.

View the Rose Gold Hammered Band, starting at only $425 (available in any color combination by request).

The Celtic knots from the Caedman Celtic Wedding Band represent the eternal, spiritual, and unbroken love contained deep within your bond of marriage. Available in a wide 8.5mm (shown) and a 7mm two-tone gold celtic band. Also available in 18k gold and a platinum and 18k gold celtic wedding band. Celtic knot wedding bands remain historically-inspired pieces combined with today’s fashionable, universally acclaimed designs. Priced at $525 for the 7mm and $625 for the 8.5mm.

Paisley Wedding Bands are a tour de force in 2009 with their elegant, beautiful scroll work. The Paisley Engraved Wedding Band has a deep-etched paisley design in 14k white gold. Also available as a rose gold paisley wedding band and 14k yellow gold paisley band. Priced at $525.

Would you like some diamonds to go with that? The Handcarved Paisley Diamond Wedding Band exhibits sheer magnificence in design. Set with a 1/2 Carat of high quality G-H Color, SI1-SI2 Clarity diamonds on each side of the beautifully carved paisley design (also available as an 18k diamond paisley wedding band or platinum by request). Band measures 10mm wide and is oriced at $1,125.00.

Titanium Wedding Bands continue to excel in fashion circles and alternative trends among and are among the top choice of precious metals for wedding bands. The downside had been that most titanium bands were very standardized, heavily machined and often plain pieces.

Apples of Gold breaks the mold with its Blue Titanium Celtic Wedding Band of intricate woven patterns and rich colors. Prices at a mere $250 for aircraft grade titanium!

Christian Wedding Bands are among 2009’s latest fashions with faith-inspired rings that are no longer cliché. The Jerusalem Cross Wedding Band from Apples of Gold is fashionable and strong in meaning. Also available: The 14k white gold and 14k rose gold Jerusalem Cross Band. Another favorite Christian ring:  the Song of Solomon Bible Verse Wedding Band (with custom full-length Scripture engraved on the inside). Priced at $525.00.

The Braided Wedding Band is a permanent fixture within the halls of wedding ring fashions. Stylish in 2009 and well into the future, the braided band is truly an enduring classic. The Wide Braided Wedding Band from Apples of Gold is available in 14k white gold (shown), 14k yellow gold, and as a platinum braided wedding band. This is a quality, substantial piece priced at only $425.00.

Square Wedding Bands are not only fashionable, and masculine, but they break the mold of the traditional circle-inspired wedding band and place a little modernity within our midst. Brushed with a fine satin-finish and measuring 6mm wide, this is a quality, substantial ring weighing approx. 13.0 grams of 14k white gold! Also available as a platinum square wedding band. Priced at $475.00.

Finally, we come face to face with the wedding precious metal of the year: Platinum Wedding Bands. Platinum prices have declined approx. 60% in the last year making 2009 the year to buy platinum jewelry! Platinum bands are not just plain platinum bands either–with versatile design platinum wedding bands, there is a plethora of choices in 2009!

Shown above: The Platinum Hammered Wedding Band priced currently at $1,399!

Gold Bible Verse Rings

Some of the most inspirational and encouraging stories of human strength and survival has allowed people to overcome amazing situations through the strength of bible verses.  One amazing story is of the Alexander family who found themselves in the middle of a gun battle in Taiwan while being held hostage by Chen Chin-hsing, a Taiwan most wanted criminal.  As their story unfolds on National Geographic’s Locked Up Abroad Taiwan, the family began to quote Psalms 24 for encouragement in unison, amazingly through gunshots and wounds, every member of the family made it out alive.

It is important to remember that in the happiest or lowest of times, bible verses have helped us get through.  Apples of Gold understands the power those small reminders of faith and has an amazing collection of bible verse gold rings that can be easily personalized to remind you daily of your faith through the good and the bad. One of my favorite bible verse gold rings from Apples of Gold is the Romanesque Cross Bible Verse Ring.

The 14K solid gold Romanesque Cross Bible Verse Ring has a unique design where the gold band grows in width from the back (4mm) to the front (8mm).  At the largest part of the ring a motif of a Romanesque Cross sits proudly in white.  A bible verse inscription of your choice is secretly, yet comfortingly, etched inside the ring.  The wearer can personalize what scripture is placed inside ring from Apples of Gold’s Bible Verse Listings or from your own choosing.  This ring is the perfect gift as a promise ring, wedding band, or a personal gift to you.

Another of great choice is the 14K Yellow Gold “I am My Beloved’s” Wedding Band.  This ring boldly showcases one of Christianity’s most prominent scriptures of commitment and love, “I Am My Beloved’s and My Beloved is Mine” from the Song of Solomon.  “I am My Beloved’s” is laser engraved on the outside of the ring and “My Beloved is Mine” is laser engraved on the inside of the gold ring. This ring is also available in a number of karats, widths and sizes depending on the intended wearers ring size.

These two Gold Bible Verse Rings are just a sample of the large collection of Apples of Gold’s Christian jewelry and rings and can be personalized with a number of Bible verses.  A few of my favorite verses include “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love” from 1 Corinthians 13 and “Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness, and kindness that your connection deserves” from an Apache Wedding Vow

Get connected to God today in marriage, in life, or with family with Apples of Gold Bible Verse Gold Rings.