Brittania silver (950): Brittania silver is an alloy made of 95% silver, which exceeds the requirement for sterling silver. It is most often marked 950. This silver qualifies as sterling, but it is slightly softer than sterling pieces marked 925 or simply sterling. Cutlery sets were often accompanied by tea sets, hot water pots, chocolate pots, trays and salvers, goblets, demitasse cups and saucers, liqueur cups, bouillon cups, egg cups, plates, napkin rings, water and wine pitchers and coasters, candelabra and even elaborate centerpieces. The date is a common additional hallmark that might be applied, and will usually be a letter that corresponds to a specific year. Sometimes the older-style traditional fineness stamp may also still be applied. When it comes to jewelry, there are so many different numbers and letters that can be stamped on the metal. But what do they all mean? One of the most common markings on jewelry is 926. So what does 926 mean on jewelry?

The last important mark to mention is the "Duty" stamp. This took the form of the reigning monarch's portrait, and showed that the relevant duty/tax had been paid. Since 1976, Prime Art & Jewel (PAJ, Inc.) has perfected the art of creating jewelry that meets and surpasses consumer expectations. The sterling alloy originated in continental Europe [11] and was being used for commerce as early as the 12th century in the area that is now northern Germany. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the most plausible etymology is a derivation from a late Old English steorling (with, or like, a 'little star'), as some early Norman pennies were imprinted with a small star. Huffman, Joseph P. (13 November 2003). Family, Commerce, and Religion in London and Cologne. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521521932 . Retrieved 16 September 2016.

The interest in sterling silver extended to business ( paper clips, mechanical pencils, letter openers, calling card boxes, cigarette cases), to the boudoir (dresser trays, mirrors, hair and suit brushes, pill bottles, manicure sets, shoehorns, perfume bottles, powder bottles, hair clips) and even to children (cups, cutlery, rattles). we sell on GOLD.co.uk, do not require hallmarks. This is because they are classed as a raw material. Refiners and mints do however usually stamp their coins and bars with details on the fineness of the metal, as well as displaying their own branding. The leopard head, without a crown, denotes the item was assayed at the London Assay Office after 1820. Falino, Jeannine; Ward, Gerald W. R., eds. (2001). New England Silver & Silversmithing 1620–1815. p. 156. The year mark wasn't introduced until 1697, as a result of legislation under King William III. This makes identifying the exact year much easier, but the system chosen - a letter for each year - meant that repetition was common. The cycle of letters was also different for each assay office. Different styles of fonts and capitals were used by different groups. Fortunately these have also been documented by dealers/collectors over the years.

Silver hallmarks are a key part of determining the purity of an item purporting to be made from silver. Hallmarks are legal stamps, applied to items manufactured from a number of precious metals. These include gold, silver, platinum and palladium. They identify the main metal, and how much of it can be found, in a number of items. Silver hallmarks are particularly likely to be found on silver jewellery and antique silver items (such as cutlery). Mexico 925 stamped on jewelry means that the piece is manufactured in Mexico and it is sterling silver.

If a piece of jewelry is stamped with Otc 925, it means it is manufactured by Otc International Ltd. and 925 is a common stamp on all sterling silver jewelry What Does Mexico 925 Mean On Jewelry? Because s925 sterling silver is more durable than pure silver, it has become the ideal metal for creating accessories because of its acceptable luster and robustness.