Jewelry Identifier

Jewelry identification notes

Practical notes on photographing a piece, reading its marks, and telling what a photo can and cannot settle.

  1. Jewelry Clasp Types and Dates: Date a Necklace or Brooch by Its Clasp

    C clasp, trombone, safety catch, spring ring, lobster, box clasp: when each was used, and how to date vintage necklaces, brooches and earrings by their findings.

  2. Jewelry Stamps and Their Meanings: 925, 14K, 585, GF Chart

    What the stamps inside a ring or on a clasp mean: 925, 14K, 585, 750, GF, HGE, 14KP, PT950, EPNS. A lookup table, and what a stamp can't prove.

  3. How to Identify Jewelry Stones: Diamonds, Gemstones, Glass & Lab Grown

    How to identify jewelry stones from mountings, optical clues, and inclusions: diamonds vs cubic zirconia, natural vs synthetic gems, and glass paste.

  4. How to Identify Jewelry by Picture: Rings, Earrings & Brands

    Identify jewelry by picture: find a ring or earring from a photo, spot a brand from an image, shoot the piece so it can be read, and know what a photo cannot prove.

  5. How to identify vintage jewelry

    Clasps, catches, hinges and pin stems as evidence, the style families worth knowing, and why a well-made revival piece can look identical to the original.

  6. How to Identify Jewelry Maker's Marks and Hallmarks

    How to identify jewelry maker's marks, sponsor initials, and hallmarks on gold, silver, and vintage pieces. Decode punch outlines and find who made the jewelry.