Jewelry hallmarks are a relief to individuals trying to date and authenticate antique jewelry. However, knowing exactly what jewelry hallmarks are and recognizing them is significantly more difficult. Basically, a jewelry hallmark is simply the indented number on the metal that reflects the amount of metal in a piece of jewelry. This guarantees the purity of the metal and is not a maker's mark. However, some jewelry hallmarks do include maker's marks as well. It is important to understand that a maker's mark and a jewelry hallmark are not the same thing at all. Most of the time jewelry hallmarks are found on valuable objects and although it is sometimes found on jewelry it is not always. Although, when a jewelry hallmark appears on a jewel it lends many clues as to where the piece of jewelry was manufactured as well as when and even the metal content.

London's Goldsmiths? Hall of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths initiated the first hallmarks and keeps track of all the hallmarks that have been used throughout Britain's history. Basically, a hallmark is a impression in a fine metal that reveals its karat or quality. Generally, hallmarks are found on gold, platinum, and even silver. These hallmarks, also called purity marks, may sometimes contain a maker's mark, exportation mark, or more depending on where it was made and by who and whether it was exported or not.

British hallmarks are especially interesting because they have been used since the 14th century. France is another country that has also used hallmarks since this point in history. There are a lot of other countries that use hallmarks, mostly European ones. However, the United States has never really used hallmarks. The type of metal in carats and purity is marked in the United States, but the use of actual hallmarks never really caught on like it did in the European countries.

As far as British hallmarks are concerned there were usually five different symbols marked on a precious metal. These included the standard mark, city mark, date letter, duty mark, and maker's mark. Not always was a maker's mark included, and the marks could appear in any order. However, when reviewing a piece of jewelry or antique made of a precious metal the hallmarks give away where it was made, with what, if duty had been paid, and more.

The British hallmark system is pretty difficult and complicated, but it is pretty constant and once you learn it it is not so difficult to determine what the hallmarks mean. However, there are other hallmarks from other countries that are significantly more difficult to decipher and determine what the hallmarks mean. There has been significant research into hallmarks, both British and other European hallmarks, so finding out where a specific item came from and when it was made is a lot easier today with the help of the Internet. Nevertheless, hallmarks con provide plenty of clues into the origination of a precious item although the clues can sometimes be practically impossible to decipher.

Now that you know a little more about jewelry hallmarks you will be more prepared to conduct your own research into the origination of certain antique pieces in your possession. Of course, if you are really interested you might become a collector or a hallmark expert. Regardless, hallmarks provide a lot of information about different pieces of jewelry and other fine objects. It just takes time and effort to determine what the hallmarks stand for.