Maker’s marks are the initials or name of the manufacturing firm or other representative symbol stamped into a gold, silver or platinum item. Also called ‘Trademarks,’ they often provide the only evidence that a certain piece of jewelry has indeed been manufactured by a certain jewelry maker. When such marks are present, the jewelry item is said to be “signed” by the maker or manufacturer. In some countries, Italy for instance, official maker’s marks are assigned to registered goldsmiths and their use overseen by a body like the Chamber of Commerce.

Sometimes a goldsmith’s maker’s marks evolve over time and knowing which mark was used when helps the jewelry historian or appraiser accurately date an item.

In France, historically, the Administration de la Garantie stored copper plates on which maker’s marks were stamped (by law) creating a record of the mark. At some point these were all destroyed, leaving us without this valuable historical reference.

Antique Jewelry University has an extensive Jewelry Maker’s Marks Database to which new marks are added regularly. You can help build this database by sending in images (of the marks on your fine jewelry) and information to aju@langantiques.com.