![]() Many tourists in the US (and international online shoppers) will question goods sold without markings that indicate precious-metal quality. Some European countries do require marking.US law does not require precious metal to be marked with a quality stamp.Sterling silver must be at least 92.5% silver.Update: US law now does allow the maker's name in place of a formally registered trademark or hallmark! This satisfies the accountability at the heart of the US stamping act. Users of finished jewelry, however, can choose to attach a mark to the finished piece (for example on a chain tab). Findings and components, for example are often not quality stamped. Furthermore, the sizes or designs of some pieces do not lend themselves to quality markings. Small-time artists and Native American silversmiths rarely trademark their work. Makers may choose to not spend so much money for a formal hallmark. For one thing, registering a trademark costs over $1,000. A devious manufacturer could mark a piece 18kt when, in fact, it was 10kt and worth one-third less on gold content alone.įor many reasons, not all silver jewelry is marked. ![]() This accountability is particularly important in gold jewelry. If there is ever a question about the content of a piece of jewelry, the manufacturer can be traced using the hallmark stamped on the piece. However, if a quality mark is used, the mark must be accompanied by a manufacturer's hallmark that is a registered trademark or the name of the manufacturer. In the USA, The National Gold and Silver Marketing Act does not require precious metals to be marked with quality. When testing suspect goods, a small file can be used to cut through any plating or lacquer in a discreet area on the item. Silver-plated brass, nickel silver or low quality silver alloys will turn green when a drop of nitric acid is applied, because of the high copper content. Some countries require jewelry made of precious metal be submitted to a governmental assay office for destructive testing before being marked and sold. In many countries, precious metal must be stamped with a quality mark such as "925" for sterling. "German Silver," "Alpacca," and "Alpaca" are merely other names for the alloy of copper, nickel and zinc usually called " nickel silver." Despite the name, nickel silver contains no silver. "Mexican Silver," "German Silver," "Indian Silver," "Montana Silver" and simply "silver" do not guarantee any silver content. "Coin" silver is used in some countries and could be marked "900" or "800" depending on fineness. ![]() Sterling components and jewelry made in the USA are often stamped "sterling." Goods made for international trade are often marked "925" indicating the 92.5% fineness. ![]() Fine silver can be fused! (Sterling silver requires solder fine silver can be joined with just heat, no solder required.) Fine silver, sometimes stamped ".999", is 99.9% pure silver, which means it is softer and more malleable than sterling.Argentium silver doesn't develop firescale, which makes its production cleaner for the environment. This patented silver alloy is tarnish-resistant, with the tarnish resistance actually increasing over time! Germanium atoms in the alloy migrate to the surface, allowing the protective germanium oxide layer to regenerate. Tarnish-resistant Argentium silver findings and wire are 93.5% - 94% silver, and the remaining 6 - 6.5% is a combination of copper and germanium.The most common sterling alloy is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Sterling silver is defined as a metal alloy (blend) containing at least 92.5% silver.Organizers/ Storage for Jewelry Parts/ Tools.Bench Blocks, Bench Pins, Pads & Anvils.
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