What a hallmark tells you
A hallmark is a small stamp that records a metal’s purity. On vintage silver you’ll usually find a number or a word, sometimes with a maker’s initials or a country name beside it.
925 and Sterling
“925” means the metal is 92.5% pure silver, which is the sterling standard. “Sterling”, “Ster” and “STG” mean the same thing. Most pieces in our shop carry one of these.
| Mark | What it means | Silver |
|---|---|---|
| 925 · Sterling | Sterling silver | 92.5% |
| 835 | Continental silver, common in Europe | 83.5% |
| 800 | Continental silver, common in Europe | 80% |
| 950 | High-grade silver, often Mexican or French | 95% |
| EPNS | Electroplated nickel silver | Plating only |
| Alpaca · German silver | Copper, nickel and zinc alloy | None |
Pieces from this guide
Siam, Mexico and other marks
Siam silver is often stamped “Siam Sterling”. Mexican silver from Taxco usually carries “Taxco”, “Mexico” and “925”, sometimes with a workshop code that tells you who made it.
Marks that don’t mean silver
“Nickel silver”, “German silver” and “Alpaca” contain no silver at all. “EPNS” and “silver plate” mean a thin silver coating over another metal. They can still be lovely, but they shouldn’t be priced as silver.
When there’s no mark
Plenty of real silver was never stamped, or the mark has worn away. That’s why we test every piece rather than trusting the stamp.
Every piece we sell is tested, whatever its stamp says. See how we test silver.