Hallmarks

Here is a list of typical hallmarks used to identify metal purity and finding fakes

Typical metal hallmarks

This image shows the typical number hallmark used to state the purity of the metals commonly used in jewellery making.

Periodic table numbers.

Platinum 78 Pt

Gold 79 Au

Palladium 46 Pd

Silver 47 Ag

Titanium 22 Ti

Metal purity hallmarks gold silver platinum palladium

Fakes

Fake or pseudo-hallmarks are unauthorized, misleading stamps added to precious metals to deceive buyers. They often mimic official government assay marks or purity standards (like "925" for silver or "18K" for gold) to make base metals or plated items look like high-value pieces.

Common Types of Fake Hallmarks

Pseudo-Hallmarks: Fantasy marks or symbols that look like traditional hallmarks (e.g., a lion or a crown) but don't correspond to any recognized assay office. These are often found on vintage silver-plated items.
Altered/Transplanted Marks: Authentic hallmarks cut from small, damaged antique pieces and soldered onto a heavier, new counterfeit piece.
Generic Purity Stamps: Simple stamps like "925" or "14K" that can be easily bought online and stamped onto any base metal by an unauthorized person.

How to Spot a Fake

Soft vs. Sharp Details: Genuine hallmarks are struck with metal punches, displacing the metal and leaving sharp, deep impressions.Some are lazer etched Fakes often have rounded, shallow, or uneven stamps, or are cast directly into the mold of the piece.
Missing Markings: A true, high-quality piece should typically have a complete set of marks, including a maker’s mark (sponsor's mark), a purity/quality mark, and an assay office mark.
Color and Weight Inconsistencies: Look for mismatched clasps, excessive weight for the metal type, or colors that are too yellow for the claimed gold karat.

Testing:

First look at the quality of the item how its made.

Check the hallmarks if it looks soldered on or is not crisp and looks cast be suspicious.

Use a magnet, pure gold and silver is non magnetic. if it attracts strongly to a magnet it will not be gold or silver most likely plated.

Acid test and XRF scanning.

Other information

Titanium hallmarks are stamped markers found on titanium jewelry and industrial pieces to indicate metal authenticity and purity. Unlike gold or silver, titanium is not governed by compulsory, government-backed assay hallmarking. Instead, manufacturers use standard text and numeric stamps.

Common Titanium Stamps

Ti or Titanium: Indicates the piece is made of the metal.
100% Titanium: Represents pure titanium (typically commercial grades 1 through 4).
Ti-6Al-4V: Denotes aerospace-grade titanium (Grade 5), an alloy containing aluminum and vanadium for extra strength.
β-Titanium: Denotes Beta titanium alloy (often Grades 19, 20, or 21), which is highly flexible and springy.

Gold purity

24k 999=99.9%, 22k 916=91.6%, 18k 750=75%, 14k 585=58.5%, 9k 375=37.5%.

Silver purity

999=99.9% 958=95.8% 925=92.5% 900=90% 800-850= 80%-85% 835= 83.5%.

Platinum purity

999= 99.9% 950=95% 900=90% 850=85% 800=80%.

Palladium purity

950=95% 500=50%.