Sterling Marks
HALLMARKS USED ON VINTAGE STERLING SILVER JEWELRY
Sterling silver jewelry is highly collectible and easily recognizable once you have handled it for a while. It develops a lovely patina that is unmistakable. For those that don't recognize it yet, this article will give you an overview of types of designer markings use.
925
By far, the most common mark used on sterling
silver jewelry is a metal stamping with the numbers 925 - this is also the
most common marked used on silver jewelry made in the USA. Be sure to examine
the piece carefully. The mark can be anywhere on the piece and the lettering
can be very small. I've seen really tiny 925 marks on the post of an earring,
on the ring of a spring clasp, and inside the bale of a necklace. Sometimes
a loupe is necessary to see the marking clearly.
The mark can be seen alone, or it is sometimes used in conjunction with the
word sterling as in sterling 925. Italian silver is often marked Italy 925.
|
925 & sterling 925 |
925 Italy |
Taxco |
Sterling, Ster and Variations
The word "sterling" of the abbreviation "ster" is
also often used, either alone or with the name of the designer. Sometimes,
the word silver is used, either alone or with other markings. Some designers
who use this type of marking are Bond Boyd Sterling, Beaucraft jewelry sterling (or Beauster
for short), and Amita Sterling, or Amita Silver - a marking often found on
damascene jewelry with a genuine silver content.
|
Bond Boyd Sterling |
Beaucraft Jewelry (Sterling) |
Amita Silver |
|
Sterling |
Ster |
Mexico Sterling Marks
There are many, many marks used on Mexico sterling
silver, which is very collectible and sought after. Some Mexican silver markings
consist of the numbers 925. (this refers to the parts
of silver per 1000). Others have very elaborate markings with a series of
numbers, the region of Mexico (Taxco is a commonly seen one), and the designers
name. Many Mexican silversmiths mark the pieces with their initials. If you
find a piece marked in this way, be sure to buy it...the initials increase
the value of the piece, since it can easily identify it. Some Mexican Silver
is just marked with the word Mexico.
Some Mexican silver made between the years of 1947 and 1979 has and eagle stamp on the back. After 1979, many Mexican silversmiths starting marking the pieces with two letters and a number to identify it. One notable designer of Mexican silver is William Spratling - an American working in Taxco Mexico in the 1930s. His pieces are signed William Spratling.
|
Ranch Alegre |
 Mexico |
 William Spratling |
Scandinavian Silver Markings
Sterling silver jewelry from Scandinavia is sometimes
marked just Sterling, followed by the name of the country, and 826, 830s
or 925s, i.e. Sterling Denmark 830s. Many of the older pieces have just the
mark of the silversmith. Some notable sterling silver manufacturers from
Scandinavia are David Andersen and Georg Jensen. Scandinavian silver is highly
sought after and very collectible.
|
Norway Sterling |
David Andersen Sterling |
Georg Jensen |
Siam and Thailand Sterling Marks
No article on sterling silver jewelry would be
complete without discussing the markings on Siam and Thailand sterling silver.
Up until 1939, jewelry pieces from this area were marked Siam or Siam Sterling.
In 1939, the country changed its name to Thailand, and then the pieces had
markings such as Made in Thailand, Thailand 925, Thailand sterling silver,
etc. Some of the jewelry from these countries is called Nielloware and is
characterized by a sterling silver settling with black enamel designs. This
type of silver is very collectible. Vintage Jewelry Lane has a large variety
of Nielloware for sale at competitive prices.
Judith Ripka makes high end jewelry with sterling silver from Thailand. Her
marking has her name as well as the words Thailand 925.
|
Siam Sterling |
Made in Thailand |
Judith Ripka |
1000s of Sterling Silver Markings
There are thousands of markings which find their
way onto a piece of sterling silver jewelry - far too many for me to include
in this one article. A helpful website that I have found for sterling
silver markings is called Mystery Marks. The site discusses various sterling
silver marks in great detail and has pictures of many of them.
Sterling Silver Jewelry as an investment.
Sterling silver jewelry has always been very
collectible. Many designers are very sought after and much in demand. Condition
is important, as always. Also look for full markings with country name, and
name of designer. Good clear hallmarks will always command higher prices.
With the problems that the economy has right now, both gold and silver jewelry
continue to rise in price.
I try to offer accurate vintage jewelry information, but may make errors from time to time due to mistakes in research information.
