Those tiny stamps on a clasp or inside a ring band can tell you a lot about a piece before you buy it. Bring a jeweler's loupe (they're inexpensive and fit in a pocket) and look for these marks.
1. 925 or Sterling
This means sterling silver: 92.5% pure silver. It's the most common silver mark you'll find.
2. 800 or 835
Often found on European pieces. These are real silver, just a lower purity than sterling.
3. 10K, 14K or 18K
Solid gold. European pieces often use numbers instead: 417 is 10K, 585 is 14K and 750 is 18K.
4. GF or 1/20 12K
Gold-filled. A thick layer of gold is bonded to a base metal. It wears well and is a nice find, but it isn't solid gold.
5. GP, GE or HGE
Gold-plated or gold electroplated. A very thin layer of gold that can wear through over time.
6. EPNS or nickel silver
EPNS means electroplated nickel silver. Despite the name, nickel silver (also called German silver) contains no actual silver.
7. Know where to look
Check clasps, the inside of ring bands, pin backs, earring posts and the tags near necklace clasps. Marks can be tiny and worn, so the loupe really helps.
8. Try a magnet
Gold and silver aren't magnetic. If a piece grabs onto a magnet, it has a steel or iron base. (A clasp spring may pull slightly, so test the main part of the piece.)
No mark isn't always a dealbreaker
Older and handmade pieces sometimes weren't stamped, and marks can wear off. An unmarked piece may still be real; a jeweler can test it for you.
Happy hunting! Browse the vintage finds at Alleycat's Funky Finds.