What does 925 mean on jewelry?

925 is the fineness mark for sterling silver, indicating 92.5% pure silver content. It is the most common silver standard worldwide and is required by law in most countries for items sold as silver. The remaining 7.5% is typically copper, added for hardness.

What does 750 mean on gold jewelry?

750 is the millesimal fineness mark for 18 carat gold, meaning 75% (750 parts per thousand) pure gold content. 18ct gold is the most common standard for fine jewelry in Europe and Asia. The 375 mark indicates 9ct gold (37.5% gold), the most common standard in the UK and Australia.

How do I calculate the metal value of a piece of jewelry?

Multiply the piece weight in grams by the fineness percentage by the current spot price per gram. For example, a 10g sterling silver piece (925 = 92.5%) at $1/g spot price: 10 × 0.925 × 1 = $9.25 in metal content. Enter these values into the calculator to get the current intrinsic value.

Jewelry Hallmark Decoder

Type a fineness mark stamped on a piece of jewelry to find out what metal it is, how pure it is, and what the metal content is worth at any spot price. Nothing uploaded.

Gold 375/585/750/916/999 Silver 800/830/925/999 Platinum 850/900/950/999 Metal value calculator Common stamp guide

Common stamp reference

Learn more: jewelry hallmarks and metal purity standards

Understanding fineness marks - what 925, 750, and 585 actually mean

Fineness marks are part of an international system of precious metal purity certification. The three-digit number is the millesimal fineness - parts per thousand. 925 means 925/1000 = 92.5% pure. 750 means 750/1000 = 75% pure (18 carat gold). 585 means 58.5% pure (14 carat gold). 375 means 37.5% pure (9 carat gold). These marks are consistent worldwide and are a reliable indicator of actual precious metal content required by law in most countries.

Common hallmarks for gold, silver, and platinum - what each letter and symbol means

The fineness number tells you purity percentage. But letters and symbols like P (plated), EP (electroplated), or GF (gold-filled) indicate that the piece is not solid precious metal. Gold-filled means a thin layer of gold bonded to a base metal - it has far less intrinsic value. Plated means even thinner. Solid gold (no mark) means the entire piece is solid. Sterling silver (925) and above has solid precious metal. This decoder explains all the common marks and what they mean for the actual value.

Calculating metal value from weight, fineness, and spot price

Multiply the piece weight in grams by the fineness percentage by the current spot price per gram. For example, a 10g sterling silver piece (925 = 92.5% pure) at $1.00 per gram spot price: 10 × 0.925 × 1.00 = $9.25 in intrinsic metal value. This is just the melt value, not what a jeweler or dealer will pay. Estate sale valuers and antique buyers use this method to quickly assess pieces. Always enter current spot prices to get accurate estimates.

FAQ

What is the most common gold fineness in jewelry?

750 (18 carat) is the most common in Europe and Asia. 585 (14 carat) is common in North America and the UK. 375 (9 carat) is mainly used in the UK and Australia. Always verify the mark stamped on the piece.

Is vintage or antique jewelry marked differently?

Older pieces sometimes use loth marks (European system) instead of millesimal fineness. The decoder handles all common vintage marks. Letters like P, S, or numbers in the 800-950 range are all explained.

How does gold-filled differ from solid gold?

Gold-filled (GF) has a thin layer of gold bonded to base metal - much less intrinsic value than solid gold. Plated is even thinner. Solid gold (no EP or GF mark) is the entire piece. The density and feel can differ, but the stamp is the definitive answer.

Last reviewed: June 2, 2026