[Jewelry making - Article 00265] - Re: [Orchid] Stamping 925 after piece is finished?

[Helen Hill]

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>     Stamps have lots of tradition behind them, and of course, in the
>     British system, you pretty much have to use them to get the
>     hallmark markings too. 

    As Ian Wright from Sheffield, UK pointed out the other day, in the
    UK there is now an alternative to stamping, and that is laser
    marking. 

    As far as stamping is concerned, as most probably know, the British
    hallmark consists of at least three marks (the fourth being the date
    stamp which is sometimes applied). The three marks are the sponsor's
    mark (that's your mark), the assay office mark and the fineness
    mark. For any precious metal piece to be sold, it MUST be hallmarked
    IF it's over a certain weight: 7.78g for silver (sterling or fine),
    1.0g for gold and 0.5g for platinum - and if it's a mixed metal
    piece, it is hallmarked with the fineness of the lowest value metal.
    The sponsor's mark can be applied by the maker or by the assay office
    (you decide when you register with the office whether you want to
    keep your stamp and stamp your work before sending it for the other
    two marks to be applied - or whether you want them to keep the stamp
    and do it for you). 

    The offices now offer the laser alternative to the stamped mark, but
    it is more expensive. It may be a good alternative to stamps for the
    odd piece like the one in question, for makers in the UK. I'm not
    quite sure I understand the US system for stamping/hallmarking. Is
    there a government agency involved or not? Are there facilities for
    laser marking - I'm not sure what type of laser equipment is used for
    marking jewellery - whether it's similar to or the same as the laser
    welding machines but using a different setting? Who regulates the
    system in the US? Please excuse my ignorance. 

Helen
UK
http://www.hillsgems.co.uk
http://www.helensgems.etsy.com
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