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Gold Jewelry Hallmarking Secrets RevealedWe should be familiar with the BASIC hallmarks mentioned on the website. It might pay you to read them again, just to bring you up to speed and ensure you have grasped the principles. If you have not yet had the chance to read them please go to the website listed below. Let's quickly remind ourselves where we should be regarding Hallmarks. The first three marks mentioned before were: 1: The Makers mark 2: The Assay Office mark 3: The Quality mark And that brings us to the last mark... 4: The Date stamp. Please note that more mistakes are made with this mark than any other. This is caused by two reasons. The first: because 26 letters can only be used for 26 years (a different one for each year, although they did use italics or capitals for a change). So in order to extend their use, they changed the shape of the stamp mark itself. One series of 26 years may use a Shield shape, while the next 26 years may use a square shape with the corners trimmed off. Go figure? And second: because humans being humans, (and contrary to common belief, Jewelers are Human), a manufacturer who lived in Birmingham had to use one shape of stamp, while jewelers in London had to use another shape. All very good, you say, until a jeweler who USED to live in London went to Birmingham to work and took all his old tools and stamps with him, and couldn't be bothered (they cost money) to buy a new set. So he used his old set.... Ahhh... Life is never simple. However; and in general terms, if all else fails use common sense. As London was the Largest and most common stamp, you may find a Birmingham mark with a slightly wrong date stamp, although the date YEAR mark should be the same. By using all of the marks together and taking into account the wear and look of the item - plus what it is, you should get fairly close to accurate. If your still not sure, get a written valuation done with your local professional Jewelry Appraiser, and use that piece of paper as fact. Even though YOU know, they are going through the same process of 'Dating' it's still a little confusing. Plus it's not the only form of Dating I get confused with...? And my plastic eyeglass doesn't help at all.... Look out for these tips next time you're spying with your eyeglass. HALLMARKING TIPS #1: In Circa 1821 the Leopard's Head Hallmark became 'Uncrowned' In Circa 1891 Queen Victoria's head was no longer used in Hallmarking. The major point is to use ALL of the Hallmarks, not just the date letter. Also check the style of an item, as this could give a clue to the period. HALLMARKING TIPS #2: As a general rule, Hallmarks should be assessed by going from the 'Big Picture' to the 'Small Picture' or the particular date in question. For example: Date the article within a 25 year time span first, as this can be calculated from the overall 'SHAPE' or style of the stamp mark (Shield or Oval etc). Then go to the actual 'Year' stamp mark. Remember, these can sometimes be wrong, but if we are in the ballpark, so to speak, we won't be too far out. It is interesting to note that the expression 'Circa' or 'c' actually means 'around'... Silver imported into England carried the 'F' mark (for Foreign) between 1883 - 1904. HALLMARKING TIPS #3: It is helpful if we can remember some of the more important changes to Hallmarking and just how that effected Quality. For example: The quality of Hallmarked Gold can give us a clue regarding its age. Items of 22ct stamped with the 'Lion passant' were made up to 1844. After that date items were stamped 22ct with a 'Crown' hallmark. HALLMARKING TIPS #4: UKHM stands for the United Kingdom Hall Marks and has been in existence since 1300. Yes... 1300! The basic marks are: The Assay Mark which indicated the 'Guarantee of Quality'. The Origin Mark which shows WHERE it was Assayed. The Duty Mark to confirm 'Tax' had been paid. The Maker's Mark to indicate the company or individual who made the item. The Date Mark based on the letters of the Alphabet, changing each year. The Assay year was NOT a Calendar year as it began (as for London) in May. That means it covered TWO Calendar years. There are several other SPECIAL REPORTS available through our eMail-on-Demand subscription box at the website, so please take some time to visit. There is a timely warning on Security issues. It's good advice, plus there is some great tips on Investing in Jewelry, Insurance guidelines and other notes on selling, Hallmarking tips etc, and they are being added to all the time. And the best bit is they are FREE.... Thank you for taking the time to read this special report. If you thought it interesting, useful or found it helped you in any way I would appreciate your comments via email at the address shown below. This is my personal email address and I read every comment - good or bad. Alternatively: why not pass it on to a friend. I'm sure you can think of someone who might benefit from this useful information. Treat it as doing me a big favor. I will certainly appreciate it. Thank you. As usual.... P.S. There are many other complimentary Reports available to you at our website, or if you haven't yet done so, you may like to subscribe to our email-on-demand Newsletters - the Antique Jewelry Guide - full of Hints - Tips - Secrets and Articles in every issue. About The Author David Foard is retired ("Ha..." he laughs). He is working harder now than at any time in his life, especially over the 30 years he spent in the Antique Jewelry Trade as a qualified gemologist and member of the Valuers Council. Now he concentrates on the three 'R's of 'Reading' Ritin' and re-ritin articles, courses and producing free reports and information at his website. Get all the info now by going to http://www.online-jewelry-appraisals.com and follow the links at the Online Jewelry Appraisal Center.
The nostalgic crafts that are making a comeback Yahoo Canada Shine On Thurston County Fair accepting entries for foods, art, hobbies and crafts Centralia Chronicle 10 Crafty Hobbies to Get Creative with This Summer The Everygirl Thurston County Fair invites foods, hobbies, arts and crafts enthusiasts to submit their entries The JOLT - The Journal of Olympia Lacey & Tumwater Dan's Crafts & Things celebrates 50 years in business foxrochester.com Gallery: AAA Hobbies and Crafts opened in 1984 Courier Post Halifax hobby shop says its closing after 78 years in business CTV News Atlantic Popularity of diy and arts & crafts as a hobby in the U.S. 2022-2024 as of June 2024, by quarter Statista A massive hobby and toy party is happening in South Jersey this weekend The Philadelphia Inquirer The Benefits of Gentler Hobbies Next Avenue Crafts retailer Joann files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as consumers cut back on pandemic-era hobbies The Macomb Daily Jewish-owned hobby shop to host free summer event Jewish Community Voice 6 Craft Hobbies Everyone's Talking About In 2024 Country Living UK Having a hobby tied to happiness and well-being Harvard Health What's the secret to this Camden County hobby and craft store's success for 40 years? - Courier Post New restaurant and new crafts store planned for Bradenton shopping center development Bradenton Herald One Tank Trips | AdhDiy Craft Cafe KSHB 41 Kansas City News 12 Stores Like Hobby Lobby for Crafts and Home Decor Apartment Therapy Joann fabric and hobby stores enter bankruptcy; post-pandemic craft decline cited - The Mercury News 78-year-old hobby shop in Halifax closing its doors CTV News Atlantic 8 Craft Hobbies Set To Be Popular This Autumn And Winter Country Living UK Q: “How Can I Keep My Many, Many, Many Hobby Supplies Organized?” ADDitude magazine Metal, Fire, ‘Hitting Stuff Hard’: Everybody Wants to Be a Blacksmith Now The New York Times These are the 20 most relaxing hobbies, according to a new study Country Living UK From Hobby to Hustle: Turning Soap and Candle Making into a Six-Figure Business with Makesy Markets Insider Metro Library to host Craft Fest at the Downtown OKC Library Jan. 27 Oklahoma City Free Press An A to Z guide of every craft you can try your hand at Country Living UK Crafts retailer Joann files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as consumers cut back on pandemic-era hobbies Omaha World-Herald New Year's resolutions - places to go to fine new hobbies around Ashland Ashland Times Gazette 7 Creative Hobbies to Take Up in the New Year Martha Stewart 10 Comprehensive Hobby Books For Mom Early Bird Books There Is Such Thing As Hobby Burnout—Here’s How To Rediscover the Joy in Your Favorite Pastime Well+Good Rug Tufting: An Old Craft That's New Again Next Avenue Pick up a new hobby in 2024 with these deals on craft kits, Classpass, pickleball sets, and more Mashable Six Independent Craft Stores to Visit in and around Boston Boston magazine Meet Mike Larisey, owner of Maritime Hobbies & Crafts Ltd Downtown Halifax Hobbies & Crafts (Reviews) Business Insider Cobblestone Crafts listed for sale after four decades for $679K HollandSentinel.com OPINION: A love letter to arts and crafts Indiana Daily Student 8 new hobbies to try in the St. Louis area Ladue News Best Printer for Crafting 2024: Arts & Crafts Has Never Been Easier PC Guide - For The Latest PC Hardware & Tech News 10 slow living hobbies that lean into a calmer rhythm Country Living UK Movies About People Passionate About Their Craft & Hobby FILM COMPANION Katie McAllister has a multitude of hobbies that all correlate to crafts The Central Trend 7 Unexpected Ways My Paper Collection Is My New Favorite Hobby Getting Me Through the Pandemic Apartment Therapy 4 craft hobbies surging in popularity this summer Country Living UK Yo! Easter offers skills, sports and hobbies for everyone Wolverhampton City Council Bored at home? Now’s the perfect time to pick up a new hobby CNN Underscored West Virginia Hobbies & Crafts: A 25-year success story Huntington Herald Dispatch 11 places in L.A. to get your creativity flowing. Pottery! Neon bending! Bookbinding! Los Angeles Times KreaDoe art, craft and hobbies fair IamExpat in the Netherlands Handicrafts and hobby store giant Milbby to open its first branch in the province on the Costa del Sol Surinenglish.com Endangered Crafts and the Destinations Keeping Them Alive (Published 2019) The New York Times Business Q&A: Thompson’s Hobbies and Crafts, Lakewood The Denver Post Lost trades: The industrial origins of crafts and hobbies National Science and Media Museum Hobby Lobby vs. Michaels: Which craft store is better? Business Insider Get your crochet hooks, paintbrushes, scrapbooks, and creativity ready: Hobby Lobby opens soon Progress Index Business Intel: Salem Hobby Shop Roanoke Times Hobbies and Crafts Theme Cruises Cruise Critic 30 Cool Hobbies to Try When You Need a Change of Pace Good Housekeeping 15 best things to make and sell Save the Student Craft your way calm Grok Nation
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