Diamond earring stamps

Stamps on diamond earrings help suppliers to identify the characteristics of their pieces at a glance, to recognize the authenticity of their products in the future and, of course, provide valuable information to the consumer.

Unfortunately, most customers are unaware of the real meaning of the stamps on their jewelry and many myths and misconceptions are created around them.

Today we have decided to create a basic guide with everything you need to know about diamond earring markings.

Diamond earring markings

Some earrings bear markings to identify the type of precious metal they are made of, as long as it is gold, silver and platinum. In addition, other alloys such as stainless steel rarely require specific markings. When earrings are inlaid with diamonds, they also usually carry the carat weight of the diamond.

All diamond jewelry with a certain amount of precious metal (including veneers) that is marked must mandatorily include the hallmarks of the supplier, manufacturer, distributor, patent or the branch where the jewelry is purchased. This is a requirement in the USA.

Although many other characteristics of diamond jewelry are controlled, there are no universal standards for hallmarks. The nomenclature and legal obligations regarding them vary from country to country.

Where are earrings hallmarked?

Many earring settings do not have as much space to be marked, so it all depends on the design.

Most likely the markings will be directly on the tip of the earring. Hoops, on the other hand, can be marked discreetly on the inside of the band, without being obvious to curious observers and without damaging the aesthetics of the earring.

In any case, not all earrings include diamond stamp and this does not mean that they are not authentic. Any piece that cannot be marked, or whose marking is unintelligible, must be delivered with a certificate of appraisal that includes the complete characteristics of the product stamped and signed by the supplier.

What does 14ks mean?

The gold or metal hallmark is one of the most common hallmarks found on any piece of jewelry, that of course includes earrings. The purity of gold is measured from 24 parts (completely pure gold). Since pure gold is not strong enough, it is normal for other metal parts to be included.

• A 24k gold is 100% pure gold

• An 18k gold is 18 parts gold, with 4 parts of metal such as silver. In this case 75% pure gold.

• The 14ks mark means that the piece is made of 14 parts of gold and 10 parts of another metal. In other words, it is 58.33% pure gold.

There are different ways to stamp these hallmarks on earrings. Common markings can be .750 or .583 which refer to 18 karat and 14 karat gold respectively. The .950 mark usually refers to 95% platinum.

The importance of a stamp on earrings

There is a genuine concern towards high gold or platinum content earrings for hypoallergenic reasons. The stamps are a quick way to identify the degree of purity of the metal, assuring consumers with sensitive skin that their earrings are safe and will not cause allergies.

Some customers who are allergic to gold may respond well to PL or PLAT stamped earrings which, because they are not accompanied by any numbers, are 100% pure.

Earrings 18kt Gold Full Halo & Round Diamonds

Earrings 18kt Gold Channel Pear & Diamonds Halo

Earrings 2.12 cts Natural Round Diamonds G I1 Platinum Studs

Most commons diamond earring stamps

Although the patterns on diamond earrings can be practically infinite, since each brand decides what best identifies its pieces, it is true that there are some that we could call "standard" within the sector and that can be useful as a guide in specific cases. Among them we have:

• 14K, 18K, 24K - Indicates gold karat
• PT, PLAT, 950PT - Platinum marks
• 925 - Sterling silver
• 585, 750, 999 - Numbers indicating gold purity (58.5%, 75%, 99.9% respectively)
• GIA - Gemological Institute of America
• AGS - American Gem Society
• IGI - International Gemological Institute
• HRD - High Diamond Council
• EGL - European Gemological Laboratory
• GCAL - Gem Certification & Assurance Lab
• Stud – Earring type.
• EX – "Excellent" Quality / Export Product.
• USA, ITA, UK, FR… - Refers to the country of origin of the jewel.

Keep in mind that there are other markings stamped on diamond earrings that can be very revealing in determining their origin or identifying them in some way, such as maker's marks.For example, costume jewelry manufacturer Kenneth Jay Lane, used to mark his diamond arts with the initials KJL.

This can be applied to many of the designers of fine jewelry such as Cartier, Tiffany and Albert Hern.

How do you know if diamond earrings are real?: A trademark is not a seal of authenticity.

Although a supplier can identify its trademark on any earring and even differentiate it from very good imitations, it must be recognized that these can't be seen as a guarantee of authenticity.

When a diamond jewelry leaves a primary supplier or manufacturer and enters the secondary trade (resellers, pawnbrokers, non-certified pawnshops...) a trademark cannot assure you that your diamond has not been altered or is a fake.

To avoid this, purchase your products with reputable agents, through legal channels of ethical origin such as our online store or any recognized brand you trust. This is the only guarantee that your investment is backed.

If you still decide to purchase your diamond earrings in resale and doubt the supplier *have your jewelry appraised* or apply some techniques to determine if your diamond is authentic, after all, center diamonds are usually the most valuable component in this type of pieces.

FAQ's 

• Do diamond earrings have stamps?

  Yeah, they do! Diamond earrings often include discreet stamps indicating their quality and authenticity. These stamps may be on the setting or even on the stone itself.
  
  
  

• What does a diamond stamp on jewelry mean?

  A diamond stamp certifies the stone's quality in terms of the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat. For example, a "VVS" stamp means the diamond is "very very slightly included," while an "SI" stamp indicates it is "slightly included".
  
  
  

• How can you tell if a diamond earring is real?

  In addition to stamps, there are some simple tests you can perform. For instance, breathe on the diamond: if it fogs up and clears quickly, it's likely authentic, as real diamonds don't retain heat. You can also use a magnifying glass to look for unique imperfections or inclusions, which indicate a genuine diamond.
  
  
  

• What does the stamp on my earring mean?

  Stamps can indicate various attributes. It could be a diamond quality stamp, a gold purity stamp on the setting (like "14K" for 14-karat gold), an independent lab stamp certifying the jewelry, or even an origin stamp indicating the country or region where the diamond was sourced and cut.
  
  
  

• How do you identify jewelry stamps?

  Stamps on jewelry are usually small and discreet, so you may need a magnifying glass to see them clearly. They are often found on the inside surface of a ring or the back of a pendant or earring. In addition to the stamps mentioned, look for logos or hallmarks from the jeweler or manufacturer.
  
  
  

• What does a 925 stamp on jewelry mean?

  The "925" stamp signifies sterling silver. Sterling silver is a high-quality alloy containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals. This stamp assures the authenticity and quality of the silver used in the piece of jewelry.
  
  Stamps on diamond earrings and other jewelry pieces are like a quality and origin guarantee, giving consumers peace of mind. It's always a good idea to look for these stamps and request the accompanying documentation when purchasing fine jewelry.