Hallmarking Hints and Tips – Part I
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G'day and thanks for your interest in our mini-series of articles entitled...
"Hallmarking Hints and Tips".
Inside these reports you'll discover the secrets to understanding what British Hallmarks mean, and why you should NOT accept everything you see at face value.
So lets begin with your first report...
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Hallmarking Hints and Tips - Part I
by David Foard F.G.A.A.
British Hallmarks are the best in the world. Who says so? The rest of the World says so - that's who.
Although to be fair, other countries have great hallmarks too, it is just that they are NOT so often seen.
A book on World Hallmarks for Gold or Silver items is a must for any serious collector or dealer, but can be a little intimidating and time consuming.
Is that mark a Cockerel or a Tree? Could it be made in Switzerland or Germany?
Pocket Ed. Jackson's Hallmarks
Price: $8.92 USD
Thankfully for the rest of us, a small pocket book on UK Hallmarks is more than up to the task - coupled with that very useful plastic 10X eyeglass I will keep hinting for you to buy.
British Jewelry with a full UKHM (United Kingdom Hall Mark) is generally clearly stamped and readable after you clean it.
And you can easily clean it yourself (carefully) by using the instructions available in one of our other articles entitled: "Cleaning your Jewelry at Home" available without charge from our website.
Once clean, the Hallmark will show you that the item has been tested and stamped, to prove it is - what it says it is (9ct or 18ct etc).
But there's a lot more to Hallmarks than just that....
Once you are aware of the marks, you will always feel just that little bit better when you buy that 'Could it be an Antique' item at the local market, or from the guy in the Pub that everyone talks about......
but nobody knows. So Buyer Beware....
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*TIP #1*
So your first tip is simply to get a plastic 10x eyeglass and a small pocket book on Hallmarks.
The book we recommend is Jackson's and you can find a copy of it at most good bookstores.
It's not expensive and I guarantee you'll get much more out of it than the few dollars it cost. It's a useful tool for life.
Alternatively you might find it easier to use the link Jacksons Silver and Gold Marks here, so grab yourself a copy through Amazon.com. It's at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1851491694/theantiquejew-20
Sorry about my ID on the end of the link, as my original ID for Amazon was 'The Antique Jeweler' which they kindly? cropped to 'theantiquejew'
No offense - But I'm a Celtic Aussie Catholic - Go figure?
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*HINT #1*
The Pocket book of Hallmarks will tell you MUCH more than just a date. More on this Hint in a future issue.
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*TIP #2*
Before 1854 there were no 9ct, 12ct or 15ct items and 12ct and 15ct were discontinued in 1932 when the 14ct standard was introduced.
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*HINT #2*
The quality of Hallmarked Gold can give us a clue regarding its age. We'll cover that next time.
Just by using these first 2 Hints and Tips you'll be way ahead of the competition...
But wait, there's still more coming up!
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*Other Secrets - Hints and Tips we Reveal*
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*TIP #3*
Why the 'Lion Passant' is so important for dating jewelry.
With this simple tip you'll be correct saying the item MUST be either Georgian or Early Victorian - And nothing else!
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*TIP #4*
How the 'Crown' mark does TWO things.
Confirms the selection of a specific Historical Period of Manufacture AND when combined, indicates another feature of Hallmarking.
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Now you have today's information complete, you will be better equipped to start with the other six hallmarks on British Jewelry.
Six?
Yes Six...
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*NEXT ISSUE*
Part II on "Hallmarking Hints and Tips"
You will receive notification for the next Hallmarking Hints and Tips Article which will be delivered to you tomorrow, so keep a lookout for it in your inbox and make sure your ISP or Junk Mail Filters don't just dump it.
Get this address listed in your Whitelist or safe list. It's... david[AT]jewellery-antiques.com (where [AT] is equal to the @ sign you find in email addresses).
We just don't want those rotten spammers getting hold of my email using spy robots so we have 'disguised' the address that way. I know YOU will be able to read it though. 
This is my personal email and ALWAYS shows it comes from me in the 'Sender' field like this ---} David Foard F.G.A.A.
The letters after my name (F.G.A.A.) show I am a Fellow of the Gemological Association of Australia and will identify the email as coming from me.
In the meantime, take care and watch the road.
kind regards. David
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P.S. If you have a friend or colleague who might benefit from this report, please pass this on.
Or they can get their own copy in the series by going to:
http://www.jewellery-antiques.com/ and subscribing from the form available on every page of the site.
Thanks - We appreciate your help.
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