Finding and Identifying Silver Hallmarks on Different Pieces. With almost any silver or silverplate item, youll notice tiny stamped marks somewhere on the piece. These can take the form of pictures, words, names, letters, or numbers. It may help to have a magnifying glass and some silver polish handy.

How do you read a silver stamp?

Know the Common Marks There are a number of common marks that appear on many silver pieces. For example, the lion passant is standard to identify a piece as sterling silver. If this mark isnt there, it means the piece is most likely silver plated.

What is the best silver hallmark?

Sterling silver (925): This is the standard for silver, identifying a silver item that is at least 92.5% silver mixed with copper to give it strength. Marks on these pieces include 925 or Sterling. Any mark indicating a higher silver content, such as 950, would also qualify as sterling.

What do hallmarks mean on silver?

purity A silver object that is to be sold commercially is, in most countries, stamped with one or more silver hallmarks indicating the purity of the silver, the mark of the manufacturer or silversmith, and other (optional) markings to indicate date of manufacture and additional information about the piece.

What is the hallmark for pure silver?

Items that are pure silver are marked with the hallmark of . 999 or 999. This hallmark can often be found on the inside or underside of an item. Pure silver is soft and breakable; therefore, it is not used often in jewelry.