Thrifted Jewelry Reference
A small stamp can change a piece from costume jewelry to real gold or silver. Enter the marks you see, note the metal color and weight, and this reference will suggest likely meanings, common fakes, and next-step tests. It is not an appraisal, but it helps you sort your flea-market haul with more confidence.
Type the marks you found. Add any clues you have, like metal color, weight, or magnet reaction. The more you add, the more useful the result.
These tables cover the stamps you will see most often in secondhand jewelry. They are not complete, but they give you a working vocabulary before you dig into maker-specific books.
| Stamp | Meaning | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| 10K, 10KT | 10 karat, 41.7% gold | Often thin, may show wear quickly |
| 14K, 14KT, 585 | 14 karat, 58.3% gold | Most common for everyday jewelry |
| 18K, 18KT, 750 | 18 karat, 75% gold | Softer, may scratch, higher value |
| 22K, 916 | 22 karat, 91.6% gold | Common in older or imported pieces |
| 24K, 999 | 24 karat, near pure gold | Very soft, uncommon in daily-wear jewelry |
| GF | Gold-filled | Thick plate over base metal, not solid |
| HGE, HGP | Heavy gold electroplate | Usually a marketing term, still plated |
| RGP | Rolled gold plate | Thin layer, wears faster than GF |
| Stamp | Meaning | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| 925, STERLING | Sterling silver | Most common silver stamp |
| 800 | 800 silver | Common in older European pieces |
| 950 | 950 silver | Softer, often in higher-end jewelry |
| 999 | Fine silver | Very soft, uncommon in rings or bracelets |
| EPNS, EP | Electroplate on nickel or base metal | Not solid silver |
| Silver plate, EPWM | Silver plated | Value is usually low |
| Coin silver | Variable, ~90% | Older American pieces, stamp can be vague |
| Stamp | Meaning | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| PT, PLAT | Platinum | Heavy, usually high value |
| 950 PT, PT950 | 950 platinum | Common platinum jewelry stamp |
| PD, PALLADIUM | Palladium | Lightweight white metal |
| 950 PD | 950 palladium | Common palladium stamp |
| WG, 14K WG | White gold | May look like silver or platinum |
| Rhodium plated | Rhodium plate | Often over silver or white gold |
| Mark | Likely meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tiffany & Co. | Tiffany | Often signed with year mark or sterling |
| Cartier | Cartier | Usually signed in full, high risk of fakes |
| 750 | 18K gold | European karat stamp |
| 375 | 9K gold | Common in UK and older European pieces |
| 585 | 14K gold | European karat stamp |
| 935 | Silver | Higher-grade silver in some European jewelry |
| CW, C with arrow | Costume makers | Often costume jewelry, not precious metal |
| Signed with initials | Maker mark | May need a reference book to confirm |
These short examples show how to use the lookup panel and reference tables together.
You find a plain yellow ring inside a box of mixed jewelry. The inside says 14K. The ring feels a little light, but not like thin costume metal. A magnet does not stick.
Enter 14K, choose yellow gold, no magnet pull, and medium weight. The lookup will suggest likely 14K gold, but also warn that 14K stamps are common on plated bands. Look at the inner edge for wear. If the stamp looks shallow or the metal underneath is darker, it may be plated.
A chain at an estate sale is stamped 925 on the clasp. It feels cool and slightly heavy. A magnet does not stick. The clasp works well and the chain has no obvious plating flake.
Enter 925, choose silver tone, no magnet pull, and medium weight. The lookup will suggest likely sterling silver. If the chain is long and heavy, the melt value may matter more than the resale value. Save the result and compare it with other chains in your history.
A floral brooch has a small stamp: 12K GF. The gold color is even, but the edges look slightly darker. A magnet does not stick.
Enter 12K GF, choose yellow gold, no magnet pull. The lookup will explain that GF means gold-filled, not solid. 12K GF is an older stamp. The piece may have value as vintage costume jewelry, but it is not solid gold. Check the back for maker marks, because some vintage designers are worth more than the metal alone.
A white metal band is stamped PT 950. It feels heavy for its size. A magnet does not stick. The inside has no discoloration.
Enter PT 950, choose white gold or silver tone, no magnet pull, and heavy weight. The lookup will suggest likely platinum. Platinum is dense, so the weight clue supports the stamp. If the band is valuable, save the result and consider a professional verification before selling.
If the lookup result does not match what you see on the piece, slow down and check these common issues first.
Gold-filled pieces have a thicker layer of gold bonded to a base metal. Gold-plated pieces have a very thin layer. Gold-filled jewelry usually lasts longer and often stamps like 14K GF or 12K GF.
925 usually means sterling silver. But the stamp can still be faked. Use weight, color, and magnet tests together with the stamp. If the piece is valuable, get a second opinion.
No. This page helps you form a first guess. It does not replace a jeweler, lab test, or formal appraisal. Use it to decide which pieces are worth a closer look.
It usually means the piece contains iron, nickel, or steel. Solid gold and silver usually do not react to a magnet. A strong pull is a warning sign for plated or base-metal jewelry.
Some pieces are old, handmade, or made in countries with different marking rules. Some costume jewelry was never stamped. A missing mark does not always mean the piece is fake.
It is an educated guess based on the marks and clues you enter. It cannot see the piece. Treat the result as a starting point, not a final answer.
Yes. You can save lookups in your browser history, copy a summary, share a link, or print a small card. Saved data stays on your device unless you clear it.