Where to look
Stamps are tiny. Check the inside of ring bands, the clasp or the tag near the clasp on chains and bracelets, and the post or back of earrings. A phone camera zoomed in, or a magnifying glass, helps a lot.
Gold karat stamps
Karat tells you how much of the metal is pure gold. Higher karat means more gold per gram.
- 10K or 417 — about 41.7% gold
- 14K or 585 — about 58.5% gold
- 18K or 750 — 75% gold
- 22K or 916 — about 91.6% gold
- 24K or 999 — pure gold
Silver and platinum stamps
- 925, Sterling or STER — sterling silver (92.5% silver)
- 800 or 835 — common on older European silver
- PLAT, PT or 950 — platinum
Stamps that mean it's NOT solid gold
These marks mean a thin layer of gold over another metal. They usually carry little gold value, but bring them in if you're unsure.
- GF or 1/20 12K GF — gold filled
- GP or GEP — gold plated / electroplated
- HGE or HGP — heavy gold electroplate
- RGP — rolled gold plate
- Vermeil — gold over sterling silver
No stamp? Don't throw it out
Older, handmade, repaired or resized pieces often lost their stamp, and many chains from overseas were never marked. A missing stamp doesn't mean fake. We test unmarked pieces in the store during your free appraisal.
Still not sure?
Bring it in for a free appraisal — no appointment needed.