International Gold Markings and Their Meanings
Gold is a precious metal that has been used for centuries to create jewelry, coins, and other objects. To ensure the purity and quality of gold, various international markings have been established. These markings provide information about the gold’s origin, composition, and fineness.
Karat (K)
The karat is the most common measure of gold purity. It indicates the percentage of pure gold in the alloy. The higher the karat, the purer the gold.
* 24K: Pure gold (99.9% or higher)
* 18K: 75% gold
* 14K: 58.3% gold
* 10K: 41.7% gold
Fineness
Fineness is another measure of gold purity. It is expressed as parts per thousand of pure gold.
* .999: 99.9% pure gold (24K)
* .750: 75% pure gold (18K)
* .583: 58.3% pure gold (14K)
* .417: 41.7% pure gold (10K)
Hallmarks
Hallmarks are official stamps or symbols that are applied to gold items to indicate their purity and origin. Different countries have their own unique hallmarking systems.
* Britain: The hallmark system dates back to the 13th century and includes a lion passant (walking lion), a crown, an assay office mark, and a date letter.
* France: The French hallmarking system uses a five-pointed star, a maker’s mark, an assay office mark, and a date letter.
* Italy: The Italian hallmarking system consists of a crown, a fineness mark, a maker’s mark, and an assay office mark.
* United States: The United States does not have a mandatory hallmarking system, but some jewelers use the karat or fineness mark followed by the letters “K” or “KT.”
Additional Markings
In addition to karat, fineness, and hallmarks, other markings may be found on gold items. These markings may include:
* Maker’s mark: The symbol or initials of the jeweler or manufacturer.
* Country of origin: A mark indicating where the item was made.
* Design patent number: A number that indicates the patent held for the design of the item.
Understanding international gold markings is essential for determining the purity, quality, and origin of gold items. These markings provide valuable information and help ensure that consumers are getting what they pay for.
原创文章，作者：杰克，如若转载，请注明出处：https://hengxing99.com/1616.html
