What do the stamps on jewelry mean?

Hallmarks on jewelry can provide valuable information about the material, quality, and authenticity of a piece of jewelry. These small markings, also known as fineness marks, are important to understand as they ensure that the jewelry meets certain standards.

The 925 stamp on silver jewelry

One of the most common hallmarks is “925,” which is often seen on silver jewelry. This hallmark indicates that the piece is made of 92.5% pure silver, also known as sterling silver. The remaining 7.5% is typically made up of other metals, such as copper, which increase the durability of the silver and make it more suitable for everyday wear. This combination ensures a good balance between authenticity and durability, as pure silver is soft and can be easily deformed.

Karat stamps on gold jewelry

For gold jewelry, karat is often used as a measure of the purity of the gold. Stamps such as “585” and “750” refer to the gold content of the gold jewelry, where the numbers indicate the purity in parts per thousand. For example, “585” (also known as 14-karat gold) means that the jewelry consists of 58.5% pure gold, while “750” (18-karat) indicates 75% gold content. The rest consists of other metals that affect the color and durability of the gold jewelry.

Other pistons and alloys

Some jewelry may also have stamps indicating other metals or alloys, such as palladium or platinum. These stamps vary according to national standards and design, but always serve to inform about the composition of the jewelry. The stamps also ensure that the jewelry is genuine and of the promised quality.

Certification and warranty

Hallmarks not only act as an indicator of quality, but also as a guarantee for the buyer. Most countries have regulations that require jewelry made with precious metals to be hallmarked to prove its authenticity. This means that you as a customer can be confident that the jewelry lives up to the quality indicated by the hallmarks.

When you understand the meaning of the hallmarks on jewelry, you can make better purchasing and care decisions, and you can ensure that the jewelry has the desired quality and durability.

Registered name stamp

In Denmark, jewelry is subject to strict requirements to ensure its quality and authenticity. In addition to fineness marks that indicate the composition of the material (e.g. "925" for sterling silver and various karat markings for gold), a registered name stamp is also used on Danish jewelry. The name stamp acts as a signature from the manufacturer or importer, and it is registered with FORCE Technology, the Danish authority that oversees precious metal control.

The name stamp as a guarantee of quality

The name stamp is a unique mark that may only be used by registered jewelry companies. This stamp serves as a guarantee that the jewelry meets the strict Danish standards for precious metals and alloys. When the jewelry carries both a fineness stamp and a name stamp, the buyer can be sure that it has been manufactured in accordance with the law and that the materials have the promised purity and quality. The Danish name stamp is therefore an additional assurance that the jewelry meets the requirements that apply to precious metals in Denmark. At Nava Copenhagen, we have registered the name stamp NAVA, which is engraved in all our jewelry.

FORCE Technology and their role in precious metal control

FORCE Technology is the institution responsible for checking and approving the name stamps in Denmark. They monitor jewelry manufacturers and importers to ensure that all registered stamps are used correctly and only on jewelry that meets Danish requirements. By registering the name stamp with FORCE, the manufacturer or importer shows that they are committed to following Danish standards and vouch for the quality of the jewelry.

A unique Danish security measure

This practice of registered hallmarks is an additional security for Danish consumers, who can have full confidence that the jewelry is genuine and meets the promised standard. The hallmark makes it easy to identify the origin of the jewelry, and it ensures that the quality and purity of the jewelry meets the requirements that protect the buyer. Ultimately, this marking gives the consumer greater security when purchasing precious metal jewelry in Denmark.