submitted by Cris

First of all, it depends on the country. Marks were introduced by each country at different times, and the rules and regulations involved can be very complex. Some countries, like France, use symbols rather than numbers, and so 925 would never have been used in those countries.

If you can find a copy of Tardy's International Hallmarks on Silver, you will have a better idea of what I'm talking about. I recently found a copy on the web site of "Ms. Information," a bookseller. A link to her site can be found on the Educational and Informational Sites page under Reference on my web site (last listing on the page).

information provided by Christie Romero

925 stands for 925/1000 parts of silver. it would not come into use until after the sterling standard was introduced by england in the later part of the 19th century. 800 830 835 900 are all part of the same system. ae metric. these standards all appear around the turn of the century at various time according to the descretion of the manufacturer. goverment standards have been set for centuries and vary as to marks and country. US silver companies such as Gorham and Tiffany often used both marks in the late 1800's. 

information provided by cbseel

Britain always used the standard 925 and had another standard which is 950 silver which was called Britannia silver (this Britannia silver is seldom seen) and instead of the Lion rampant or lion Pageant you would see Britaina.Britain never used a standard less than 925.Hence why British silver is sought after pre-1900 hundreds. Britain would not accept any standard below 925 as silver. Most European countries up until 1920s used 830s. Scandinavian countries used 830s silver like Denmark moved to using 925 silver in 1927 however even though a higher grade of silver was used by most jewellers in Scandinavia, they stuck to stamping there jewellery 830s as they did not have to pay a tariff to the assaying office for the change over to 925. So most Jewellery made by fine houses in Scandinavia will in fact be marked 830s but will have a standard silver of 925. Places like Egypt still today only use 830 silver

information provided by Vanessa Paterson. Retro Gallery

 I would just like to correct one point. Here in Egypt we have 900 silver and up (hallmarked) and thats the most common grade of silver we have here (this applies to gold too, we dont have 9 karat or 14 karat gold here. The lowest grade is 18 karat).

In silver jewelry you might find less grade depending on the design. This is mostly because its elaborate and demands specific grades to be more managable and workable as most of them are hand made.

Since the times of the pharaohs, silver and gold have been used at the highest grades here in Egypt.

information provided by Randa.

I've only run across the use of the number '916' in one instance, and that in conjunction with the letter H, ie '916H'. H is the first letter of the Finnish word for silver, Hopea, and '916H' is a Finnish designation for .935 silver, see Warman's Jewelry 2nd Edition, 'Marks on Metals' for a concise listing of many silver fineness marks.
'Tardy's International Hallmarks on Silver' is a great resource, and also includes the above info, and much much more, including information about the hallmarks used in Malta from about 1530 onwards. Both of the above volumes can be found available for sale online or at quality booksellers. Hope this helps!

information provided by Patrick Kapty

submitted by Sande

Hi Sande--    I'm a silversmith here in the US and often work in Ag  .980 I know many people that do as well.  In the states it is most often referred to as --fine silver--.  At 98 or 99 percent it is considered about as pure as one can get.  The are many reasons for using it over sterling silver.  In southeast Asia it is even more common.  Most of the imports currently being mis-labeled as hill tribe silver are done in Ag .980,  The smiths I've met over there prefer it because it is softer and easier to stamp and forge than sterling.  It melts at a higher temp and so folks over there do not like it for casting however.  Its hotter melting temp is one of the reasons that enamellists often use it here in the states.  Due to its lesser copper content it tends NOT to tarnish as much or a quickly. 
  
information provided by Mark Kaplan 

submitted by Sharon 

submitted by Myrna in Tulsa

I haven't seen this particular design before, so can't be sure, but the 'bird or animal with it's mouth open' could be the maker's mark for Auran Kultaseppa which is an eagle head with it's beak slightly ajar. Otherwise, you're correct about the remaining hallmarks.

information provided by Patrick Kapty

This time I have from my collection a wonderful sterling narrow twisted bracelet.

It is heavy in weight for its slim contour and on one end where there is the space to put it on the wrist is: sterling,then a capital A, then a half circle with spokes...much like a half sun.

submitted by Karen Ferrandi

CA with an arrow through it is the mark for Carl Art, Inc. of Providence RI, which is the listing ABOVE the mark on page 57 of Rainwater. Rainwater can be confusing, but just remember that the marks always follow the names and info in that book. The Carl Art mark has been in use since 1937. You can find this info on page 38 of Maryanne Dolan's Collecting Rhinestones & Colored Jewelry, 3rd edition, where the info is UNDER the mark. The marks section of this book is the primary reason for owning it (forget the prices! ;-). The book is now in its 4th edition, published by Krause Publications, but I don't know if there are any additional marks.

information provided by Christie Romero

Kaija Aarikka (Finland)

I suggest you contact Aarikka Oy in Helsinki for information on Aarrikka
hallmarks.  The email address is PauliinaAarikka@aarikka.com

information provided by Frederica

Aarikka jewellery is still produced today their are two shops in Helsinki that still sell the silver and wooden jewellery .Finland's jewellery is always stamped with a silver grade normally 925H,Aarikka also made a large amount of silver plated jewellery,which normally carries their name and Finland,this company also produce wooden giftware,hope this helps.

information provided by Vanessa Paterson. Retro Gallery 

submitted by Evelyn Yallen 

THE HALLMARKS BELONG TO A CATEGORY OF SO CALLED `` FANTASY`` MARKS, WHICH APPEAR ON MANY SILVER ITEMS PRODUCED IN EUROPE IN THE 19TH CENTURY. THEY RESEMBLE FRENCH HALLMARKS OF THE 18TH CENTURY (VERY OFTEN WITH VARIOUS CROWNED LETTERS,). THEY ARE COMMON ON ELABORATELY MADE SILVER ITEMS, SOMETIMES WITH CLEAR INTENTION TO DECEIVE BUYERS, THUS BEING PROPER FORGERY, SOMETIMES THE ITEMS WERE OPENLY SOLD AS REPLICAS OF THE 18TH  FRENCH SILVER. HALLMARKS WERE STRUCK ON SILVER ITEMS EVEN LATER , AND CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS CLEAR FORGERIES. THERE ARE THREE MAIN CATEGORIES OF THESE MARKS, BASED ON THE POPULARITY AND VALUE OF THE ORIGINAL SILVER:  1. FRENCH FANTASY MARKS, 2. HALLMARKS OF AUGSBURG WITH THE ACORN ACCOMPANIED BY VARIOUS FANTASY MARKS AND 3. NUREMBERG WITH CAPITAL N IN A CIRCLE AND NUMBER 13.

AT THE TURN OF THE 19TH CENTURY, THE TASTE OF THE COMMON BUYERS WAS RATHER CONSERVATIVE, I.E. THEY DID NOT ACCEPT EMERGING ART NOUVEAU STYLE, AND MANY SILVERSMITHS, EVEN WELL KNOWN COMPANIES PRODUCED SILVER ITEMS IN THE TASTE OF 18TH  CENTURY AND HALLMARKED THEM WITH `` FANTASY`` MARKS. I MYSELF HAVE A CUP AND COVER WITH NUREMBERG HALLMARKS OF THE 15TH CENTURY. BY PURE ACCIDENT, I DISCOVERED EXACTLY THE SAME CUP IN AN ANTIQUE SHOP IN VIENNA WITH AUGSBURG HALLMARKS.

LET ME ADVISE THE COLLECTORS OF OLD SILVER: IT IS NOT IMPORTANT NOT TO RELY ENTIRELY ON THE  HALLMARKS, BUT TO EXAMINE THE WAY THE ITEM WAS MADE. FOR EXAMPLE. HOLLOWWARE OF THE 18TH WAS HAMMERED FROM ONE SHEET OF SILVER, THEREFORE THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF SOLDERING LINES, EITHER ON  THE SIDES OR AT THE BOTTOM OF HOLLOWWARE. SOLDERING LINES CAN BE DETECTED EASILY BY MAGNIFYING GLASS EVEN ON WELL POLISHED ITEMS.

Information provided by Prof. Dr. Ivan Milovic 

submitted by Susan Crosby

I just happened to remember that there was an example listed in Christie Romero's book, Warmans Jewelry 2, on page 256 by Erling Christoffersen. The mark noted there is "EC" for that designer. The mark "AGE" in conjunction with the big N and the + sign and "Norway Sterling 925S" is for Anna Greta Eker,

information provided by Patrick Kapty

Erling Christoffersen was the manager of the silver workshop at Plus and Anna Greta Eker who apprenticed at the shop was also his wife = Anna Greta Eker-Christoffersen. Both designed jewelry for the shop with the Norway Design and Plus trademark.

information provided by Ginny

submitted by Paul Lemieux

Paul and SF,

This is one of the few synthetic gemstones that can be i.d.'d by "holding it up to the phone" - or in this case, e-mail! - because of its change-of-color in incandescent vs. natural light. What you most likely have is "synthetic alexandrite-like corundum," which has been around since the early 20th century. I  don't yet have an exact date for the development of change-of-color corundum (synthetic blue sapphire - corundum - was patented in the U.S. in 1911), but  I'm working on it for an upcoming gemstone timeline lecture. If I can come up with anything definitive, I will post it here.You don't say what metal your stone is set into, but if the stone is large and of good quality, it's most likely not natural. Natural alexandrites of any substantial size and quality are EXTREMELY expensive. So any eBay claims should  be viewed with a skeptical eye - caveat emptor!

information provided by Christie Romero

I saw a short while back a question on Alexandrite. The IGS on Alexandrite as relates to this. "While determining the exact origin of a gem is a matter for professionals, here is a brief guideline. If the gem has good clarity, strong color change, reasonable size, and your grandmother was not exceptionally wealthy, it is most likely a synthetic."

Not all color change stones are Alexandrite. One stone that has a very dramatic contrast (in good samples) is color change garnet; sapphires can also be color change. If that piece was made in the 1930's it may or may not be worth it to have someone look at it. African color change garnet can go for (up to 1 ct) $80 to $1200/ct (over 1 ct) $120 to $6000/ct, US garnets $25 to $40/ct and $35 to $80/ct. Natural color change sapphire $120 to $3000/ct and $300 to $5000/ct. All of this is of course assuming that this is top grade to exceptional. There was a discussion on chrysoberyl, some (if not most) of what is sold on TV etc. is chrysoberyl (alexandrite is a form of chrysoberyl). This is unfortunate in that chrysoberyl is a nice (and expensive) stone all in itself, especially if there is a color shift. "As of late, (the past four years,) there has been an influx of color change chrysoberyl. Their origin has been from various areas of South America, East Africa, and Sri Lanka Their color change typically ranges from Green to yellow, Brownish red to purple, yellow Green to bluish green. Other combinations are occasionally seen as well. .These have been marketed as Alexandrite and commanded very high to moderate prices. While they have a dramatic color change, they should not be considered as alexandrite. To a gemological laboratory, there are strict standards of color change that have to be met and observed before a chrysoberyl can be graded as an Alexandrite. . Do not be fooled into purchasing a color change chrysoberyl in place of the alexandrite. (Many of these stones can be seen on various T.V. shopping networks.) The price should be your first clue; just a good grade of alexandrite, in a size range of 1-2 carats, can demand a $2,500 per carat wholesale. Let me add this gem of information, (excuse the pun.) A color change chrysoberyl is not a common stone and also demands a hefty price. They are a great addition to any gemstone collection, but do not pay for an alexandrite when you not getting one. " (IGS)

Chances are this is synthetic; but you never know. Moreover it may come as a surprise to some that just because it is a synthetic, meaning here lab grown dose not necessarily mean cheap, some would be surprised at what some of that rough (before cutting) goes for compared to the natural, it is not cut glass. The better grades are expensive to make.

submitted by Lynn LaFave

Can't tell you a lot about ALTON, other than that it is definitely the workshop where the jewelry items were made. I have seen a few pieces by this maker, and almost all of them had different designer marks. The F in a circle, according to Tardy's, is the town mark for Falkoping, Sweden. My piece is from 1973, yours is from 1945, if T8 is the correct date letter. (Maybe you read it wrong? T9 is 1969 which suits your circa date more closely.) "Theunia" or "Theuria" would probably be the designer.

information provided by Patrick Kapty

submitted by Sheila Pamfilof

submitted by Jackie Weeks

information provided by Sheila Pamfiloff (and Sigi Pineda)

Per my interview with Sigi Pineda, he stated that Miguel Arias (mark M Arias) was a top notch enamelist that worked for Margot.

I have seen many of his Margot design works and they have generally been virtually undistinguishable from the actual Margots.

The enamel designs I recall seeing by him are:

# 5357 swirls
# 5372, Xs, both large and small
# 5384, leafy swirls
# 5406, leaves
# 5442 Greek key
# 5554 snake set

I don't know how long he worked on his own, but the pieces I've had/seen were with the eagle quinto and not with the later TX-##.

Overall, I feel his enameling is top notch.

information provided by Sheila Pamfiloff

submitted by Patrick Kapty

A. Sch. is the mark of Albert Scharning A/S, Molde

information provided by Mrs. Kit Froebel

submitted by Sharon Hepburn

The mark is for JAMES AVERY and can be found on page 30 of  AMERICAN JEWELRY MANUFACTURERS by DOROTHY RAINWATER.

information provided by Susan

submitted by Georgina Crawford

Anyone ever seen the mark "EB 835". This is on an arts and crafts sterling and chrysophase ring I just picked up.

submitted by Jackie Weeks

submitted by Paul Lemieux

submitted by  Dorothy 

I believe that the designer of your earrings is Marjorie Baer, San Francisco. I would also like to know more about her and the jewelry she designed. I have had several pieces by this designer of mixed metals which I believe were made in the 1970s and sold at department stores such as Neiman Marcus.
Hopefully someone else knows more.

information provided by Marbeth Schon

Boris is a member of the Society of American Silversmiths and I believe Rainwater has included marks of the members in her latest edition of American Silver Manufacturers.

Boris says he marks his work like your mark indicates.  I am sending him an image of your cuff to see if he recognizes it.

information provided by Fred Zweig

(ca. 1987) I also LOVE that bracelet and remember it well..it actually has two annodized aluminum cyclinders, cold- connected with a silver bar- the idea was sort of a 'clamp' it eventually led up to the piece 'arachnid' which the MAD has in the perm collection..and on to the Constrictor, etc..

information provided by Boris Bally

submitted by Roger

submitted by Helena Goldsmith

Bauring was a company in the 1930's started by a man name Baur. Baur designed and made the jewelry. his company was financed by a guy name Ring -- also the company accountant. He died around 1943. After he died the mark became BaurING -- capitalized for Ring. Hope that helps!

information provided by Anna (Walczyk) Meriwether

PS my grandfather made jewelry for Bauring before he went off to war and then when he came back until about 1949
 

submitted by Gail

submitted by. Rosalie Isaacs

submitted by Ellen from Santa Cruz

submitted by Jackie Weeks

submitted by Adrienne Shivers

A Rabbi told us of a school in Palestine pre 1947 by that name. The school was either a jewelry school or produced some great hand crafted jewelry from a part of the school.The school may still be in existence today. I thought the name was spelled Belzalel but perhaps the t and the l looked alike.

information provided by Lonny Rosen

Bezalel was a school for arts and crafts in Jerusalem that was founded by Boris Schaatz in the early part of the 20th century. I have seen tiles, jewelry and ceremonial paraphernalia, and carpets. I have not found that the market for anything other than carpets was very strong, although I would assume pre-WWII ceremonial accoutrements would be. There is a lot of information on the school relative to its carpet production in a book titled Jewish Carpets.

information provided by Lewis Bobrick

Your pieces could have been made by the Birmingham Silver Company which previously was the Goldfeder Silverware Co.  They made silverplate and their
mark was a large crown and a "B" and "S" They also used a crossed key mark. According to "Rainwater's book Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers," they are still in business in New York.

information provided by Marbeth Schon

Weckstrom, "BW" mark--sometimes also marked "BJORN"

Thos pendant is part of the space silver range that Bjorn designed back in 1968.All of Bjorns works do have names and yours is called O2x. A book will be printed in about 2 years time with all the names and dates these items were made.

information provided by Vanessa Paterson 

A bit more information----I have an ad from Vogue 1941 for Black, Starr & Gorham--it was located on 5th Ave. at 48th St in NY--there was also a location in East Orange (which I assume is New Jersey) have another ad from Harper's Bazaar in 1941 for Spaulding-Gorham in the Drake [hotel] in Chicago.

information provided by Pat Seal 

Black, Starr & Gorham was on Fifth Avenue, but was around later than the Depression. The turn of the century Tiffany competitor, much loved by the very rich, was Black, Starr, Frost & Gorham.

information provided by Jane Viney Ridge

This is from a Seattle based website, but at least it explains a little about the American Protective League -- interesting!

http://faculty.washington.edu/gregoryj/strike/Minutedoc.htm

The Seattle Minute Men was a division of the American Protective League which operated under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice during the early 1900’s. It was a volunteer spy organization responsible for gathering and reporting information regarding all violations of war and espionage acts and proclamations. In Seattle it played an important role by investigating reports of T actions of the I.W.W. before, during and after the Seattle General Strike of 1919. The first recorded meeting of the Minute Men took place in 1917 at the Seattle home of William J. Alvay, but following this initial meeting, they were often held at a Public School near Ravenna.


information provided by Marbeth Schon

fhb is the mark for Fances Holmes Boothby who worked in the 1950s. She taught jewelry making in Troy, New York and also in Vermont. She exhibited at the Walker in Minneapolis in 1955.  Her work was mainly done in sterling silver, sometimes with ebony and/or stones, though she did work in gold, plastics, and brass. She is known for her small, whimsical "bird" brooches with wire legs.

Boothby will be discussed in my upcoming book for Schiffer, "Modernist Jewelry, 1930-1960, The Wearable Art Movement."

information provided by Marbeth Schon

FHB is the marking of Frances Holmes Boothby.  All her pieces are hand made.
She had no apprentices.  She produced pieces from the 50's to the mid 80's
in upstate, NY & Weston, VT.  She retired to Sedona, AZ & took up quilting.
She died, I believe, in Jan, 2001, or possibly 2000.

information provided by Kate Staman
 

Hogan & Bolas has been making "Handcrafted" jewelry
in Providence, Rhode Island for over forty years. Started by Robert Hogan and Elizabeth Bolas -Rhode Island School of Design students - the company produced jewelry designs in copper and bronze. The artists also experimented, successfully, with various enameling techniques. Pieces were produced using traditional metalworking, combining hand and machine work.

Over the years, the company broadened its line to include Sterling Silver. in addition, themes, such as Nautical/Sea Life have been added to the line.

Although the styling has changed over the years, Hogan & Bolas continues to produce fine, "Handcrafted" pieces in the tradition of the original founders. Since 1991, my family and I have operated Hogan & Bolas. We strive to provide you with our classic styling, an exchange program and a lifetime warranty. (from http://www.hoganandbolas.com/about_us.html)

information provided by Susan in California

submitted by Sue Sinclair

submitted by Heather

S. Borup is for Soren Borup, who worked in Denmark in the 1960s

information provided by Marbeth Schon

Hi Patsy, nice bracelet! The 2 is actually a stylized q and the bracelet is, Birminham, Sterling, and dates 1965 from Jackson's book of Hallmarks.

information provided by Joanne

submitted by Paul

submitted by Lisa Youel

submitted by Lonny Rosen

I found examples of jewelry by IRVIN AND BONNIE BURKEE shown on page 96 of Neumann's "the design and creation of jewelry" revised edition, 1975. it doesn't give any other details about them.

information provided by Susan Crosby

Irvin and Bonnie Burkee are a husband and wife team who have been creating jewelry together since the late 1940s.  They produced one-of-a-kind as well as limited production designs that were successfully marketed through various craft galleries throughout the U.S.  Read more about the Burkees in my book, "Modernist Jewelry, 1930-1960, The Wearable Art Movement."

information provided by Marbeth Schon

submitted by Marbeth Schon

This mark is for J.B. Hamlin. A piece showed up on Ebay signed "J.B. HAMLIN" with the same pine tree mark.  It was a sterling pin in a boomerang shape with an free spinning spherical green stone within an "eye-type" opening. Thanks to Fred Doloresco for finding the auction.  So far I have been able to find no other information regarding J.B. Hamlin.

information provided by Marbeth Schon

submitted by Karen Foggin

VB is for Volmar Bahner & co of Copenhagen Denmark.

information provided by Vanessa Paterson

Vanessa has ID'ed Volmer Bahner, and I can tell you that the pin depicts a scene from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Emperor's New Clothes". This is the famous walk through town where a little boy finally points out the truth...that the Emperor's new clothes are imaginary, and that he is naked.

information provided by Annette, Oakland, CA

"Canada in fact does have a Standard Mark for sterling silver items.They are not always marked with the C and Lion's head.  I am not certain why the Dancraft items were marked with this standard unless it was a requirement for import.

information provided by Fred Rezazadeh

 This is an Egyptian silver cuff bracelet that was fashionable in 
the 80's. As for the hallmarks you mentioned, those are a Cat and the bird is Horus the the ancient Egyptian falcon God. Sometimes you will find a Lotus instead of the falcon. The cat stamp was used around 40 years ago here. The more recent hallmarks are the Lotus and sometimes just a number indicating the percentage of silver ( A zero in arabic is a DOT so that might be what you are refering to when You said a '.' sign). Unfortunatly I could not read the hallmark on your pictures as they were un clear.

This paritcular design of bracelet is no longer being made though we still find it and even older designs in old antique shops and bazars in Khan El Khalili in Egypt.

By the way, it is a typical Egyptian thing to stamp/hallmark an item on its front face besides other parts.

information provided by  Randa.

submitted by Rosalie Isaacs

The C& C mark is Clark and Coombs--Providence, RI --according to Rainwater's book.

information provided by Pat Seal 

submitted by  Deb

The chalice mark is the mark of New England Glass Works.  The letters inside the chalice are NE.  New England Glass Works closed during the 20's.  Hope this helps!

information provided by  Nancy Sotelo from Minnesota.
 

Orfevrerie Christofle was founded in Paris France in 1830. They certainly worked in sterling, but were also the first company to offer silver plate in France. The mark I'm familiar with for Christofle was a bee in a wide diamond-shaped cartouche with a "C" on either side and three stars at the top. I'm not able to comment on the rest of the marks.


information provided by Marbeth Schon

           n102

            M "      

submitted by Jackie Weeks

It's probably Russian ie CCCP is Russian (cyrillic, I believe) for USSR. I'm guessing that the B Coenand is the maker mark. The M mark is probably the district mint mark, no idea which one. I don't see any equivalent in Tardy's for the other marks, so this piece may not be sterling.

information provided by Patrick Kapty

CCCP *is* (was) the Russian (Cyrillic) initials for USSR, but I've seen a couple of Socialist-era Russian pieces, and they all have a sickle-within-a-star hallmark.

information provided by Marilyn

"Coenand B CCCP" means "Made in USSR" and "n102" refers to the style number of that particular item. Not sure about the "M," although it may refer to the city of manufacture. I've been researchng Russian jewelry markings for some time, purely out of personal interest. It's a tricky business as many of the marks just don't appear in any sort of guides unless the pieces are of especially fine quality.

information provided by Linda in Philadelphia

"EC" and "ND + , Norway, Sterling"

submitted by Jackie Weeks

The Norway Design/Plus mark in question has the initials "EC" which stands for Erling Christophersen (b. 1932), the husband of Anna Greta Eker, and the person who managed the Plus silver workshop in Fredirkstad. For those who may not know, Greta's mark on her silver jewelry is _occasionally found with Christophersen as her last name. Brief biographies of both of these individuals is included in my forthcoming book, Collectible Silver Jewelry, available this fall.

information provided by Fred Rezazadeh

submitted by Adrienne Shivers

submitted by Marbeth Schon

(Example is a pair of  cufflinks, marked "Castelan also with a pre-hispanic theme, as was Marbeth's pin. On the front of each link, which depicts a male figure, by the way, it also says TLALOC in block capital letters, clearly meant to be part of the design.)

(submitted by Rosalie Isaacs

We don't know who Castelan was. I don't think that it's an attempt to confuse anyone, as the mark is quite different fron Los Castillo. Marbeth was wondering, because of the similarity in style and design if this was a Los Castillo design (actually, I'd guess Margot?) that was put out by Castelan, but we were pretty sure, from the beginning that it was not an actual Los Castillo piece.

The eagle #15 is a Los Castillo eagle #, but the #s were often mis-used, confused and used by others, so that is not a reliable ID. You may have a Los Castillo design that may have been pilfered after it was stamped #15, but before it was stamped Los Castillo. Or, it could be an original design by Castelan, somehow with the #15 on it. It's also possible that someone from Mexico City used a #15, or from other parts of Mexico. (Notice that Marbeth's jpg of the mark doesn't mention Taxco, but is marked "MEX", which probably indicates Mexico City.)

Due to Don Antonio's illness, I was never able to ask him the specific question regarding "Castelan", and my emails of the jpg bounced back, so, he never had a chance to see Marbeth's jpg. I was hoping that he might be able to identify the piece as his origianal design and 'Castelan' as one of his craftsman and give some additional history.

In many other previous discussions, he always assured me that all of his items were marked "Los Castillo". Some had additional 'line' names, such as 'Cobre Artistico', 'Metales Casados', etc., but they all should have the Los Castillo mark, also.

Sheila did buy a new bracelet from him that was only marked 'Sterling 925', and when she pointed it out to Don Antonio, he had his worker come in with the "Los Castillo' stamp. Thunk, and it was now marked! So, some pieces get missed, occasionally.

There are many duplications of his designs, even in the difficult 'Married Metals' pieces, which were probably done by his craftsman, on there own, or even possibly snuck out of his shop and stamped with their own stamp. Sheila had, at the same time, the Aztec Warrior pendant by Los Castillo and another marked "Metales Casados, Hecho in Mexico". (Not Taxco as Los Castillo's would have been marked). They were virtually identicle.

We were fortunate to be able to have Sigi Pineda identify 2 of Margot's copyists who were her workers that had obtained Margot's origianl molds; "M Arias" as Miguel Arias from her enamel department and "HL" as Hilario Lopez, one of her silversmiths. Penny Morrill has, of course, identified "Alba" as the work of her former manager Jaimie Quiroz. You'll find some of her enamel snake sets with this mark. Many of Margot's enamel snake sets are also marked "MR", which is a mark used by Melicio Rodriguez, who also worked for Margot.

information provided by Glenn Pamfilof

submitted by Jo-an 

Don't we all! Unfortunately, there is only a broad circa-dating range that we can infer from the marks on Los Castillo pieces - or most other Taxco makers', for that matter.

The makers of the things we love and collect weren't thinking about us and posterity when they marked their wares. They just wanted to identify their work and, in the case of design numbers, keep track of the designs in their 
inventory. And in the case of assay marks, they were following government regulations.

A certain amount of circa-dating can be guessed at from the designs themselves, which followed current trends, and their techniques. For example, Los Castillo was known for introducing the technique of "metales casados" - married metals - around 1950-51. So we can associate metales casados pieces with the 1950s and 60s. When the popularity of these designs waned, so did the teaching of the technique to apprentices. Now there is virtually no one in Taxco who practices it.

Information provided by Christie Romero

I have the famous parrot design that won the Taxco silversmithing contest in 1953. It has been in my family since 1953 or 1954, and was purchased by my father in Taxco. It does not say "Los Castillos." The hallmark is "Metales  Castillo" . It is married metals, and it is possible that it is a copy of the Los Castillos design, I suppose.  I would like to ask Ms. Pamfiloff if she is aware of the use of the hallmark in the early days of the Los Castillos Silverworks.

submitted by Jane Heidelberg

I'm curious about the difference in hallmarks. I have a necklace that is tubes of silver, brass and copper soldered together forming sections.They are then "strung" together creating a "collar". It is stamped METALES COSTILLOS  MADE IN MEXICO 199 on the back of the clasp.

I would love to know the difference between pieces stamped LOS COSTILLOS and METALES COSTILLOS.

submittted by Karen 

Hi Jewel lovers, especially Mexican silver lovers!
I have a very cool bracelet, which looks like it could be Los Castillo, but it is only marked 925 HECHO EN MEXICO, then something I cannot make out, and METALES. Did Los Castillo ever mark pieces this way?

thanks! 

submitted by Ellen 

Yes, "Metales Castillo" is a valid Los Castillo mark, that was often used for a variety of mixed metals. I think you mentioned in an earlier post that it had a design number #63, which is the correct design number for that series, and that yours has the eagle #15, which is also correct. Voila! Yours must be a legitimate c.1953 vintage Los Castillo pin.

information provided by Sheila Pamfiloff

I have several pieces of mixed or married metals
that are variously signed "metales" or "metales casados" but are not Los Castillo. Equally mysterious are the piedra negra and mixed metal pieces by the artist Tono, who is often confused with Antonio Castillo or Antonio Pineda. My best guess is that these guys learned their stuff at Los Castillo
or from former Los Castillo artisans. Most Los Castillo mixed metal pieces that I've seen are signed "Metales Castillo".

information provided by Kim Matthews

submitted by Jackie Weeks

submitted by Julie Sferrazza

There is a shop called "Rebecca Collins" in Dallas. I don't know if it's the same one.

information provided by Marilyn

I recently purchased another piece of jewelry by Ella L. Cone.  I believe that she was a studio jeweler working in New York in the 1950s.   She used findings marked: "T-2" as did Ed Wiener. The brooch I purchased is marked clearly "Ella L.Cone".  
submitted by Marbeth Schon

Sorry I cannot help you with your question but I wanted to add a comment to the mystery mark  list and am unable because I do not have a yahoo account.  There is a mark  "EllaL Cone" .  I have cufflinks with this mark in 
thier original presentation box which reads "The Silversmiths' Shop",  "ELLA L CONE " "225 Berkeley Street, Boston 16,Mass" and on the bottom ":Hyannis  
Rockport".  If you add this to the mystery mark  information I would be much obliged.

information provided by Elaine from Connecticut

submitted by Ellen S.

submitted by Julie Kontor

information provided by Gail Selig

JPC in an oval cartouche on an arts and crafts piece would probably be John Paul Cooper: an important English silversmith/jeweller working in late 1800s -c1930.  Member
of Artificers guild, worked with Henry Wilson and had his own workshop in Kent, England.  A book was written about his work in 1999.  

Information provided by Anne Pyne. 

The beads solid silver heavy with filigree wire work and granulation with as fine a quality as old Norwegian work. There are 50 smaller beads (1/2") and 4 larger beads (3/4"). It is marked Hencno(?) Mexico (made in Mexico) CEURNAVACO. Ceurnavaco as I understand it was an active silver making area very near Taxco. And the makers mark is ED.

submitted by Pat Talbott

Can anyone out there give me some information on this necklace. The marks are very tiny. From what I can see there is a diamond shape with a half of a sun rayonnant (as we say in France) and then what appears to be a 5 lobed circle with a crab in the center. The marks are too tiny to photograph let alone see clearly. 

submitted by Julia

The marks sound like French hallmarks to me. The 'crab' mark is the Paris mark for silver, usually 800 silver I believe. The 'sun rayonnant' in a navette-shaped reserve ie diamond-shaped is the maker's mark, but I've no idea who it's for as I don't have a listing of French maker's marks. If anyone knows of a listing of French maker's marks, and hopefully how to get a copy, please let me know too. There's a good picture of the 'crab' mark in the "Marks on Metals" appendix to Warman's Jewelry 2nd edition, by Christie Romero.

information provided by Patrick Kapty

I have an angela cummings huge necklace "orchid" and was wondering if anyone has any information about her...I know she works at Tiffanys but the piece is dated prior to her work being featured there..I think at one point she was selling her jewelry in Bergdorf's

submitted by Jackie

submitted by Louise

submitted by  John B

On Danish pieces two towers instead of three towers indicated that the items is silverplated.

information provided by Fred Rezazadeh

submitted by Roger

I came across your 'mystery marks' site, searching for the name Erik Dennung, as I have just acquired a beautiful handmade silver ring in the shape of a rose with his mark on it - in a flea market! I found a question on your site concerning his name. As I live in Copenhagen, Denmark, I tried to look up the name in the yellow pages. It seems that Mr. Dennung is very much alive: actually he has his own shop, situated in Copenhagen, by the name of Dennung Sølvsmedie Aps. Regretfully, I have no further information about his career.

information provided by Fie Lundsgaard Olsen

submitted by April

The patent number is for the design of the earclip  backs and has no bearing on when the earclips were actually made. DeRosa used  sterling from 1942 until 1949 and so your earclips would have been made during  that time period.

information provided by Pat Seal

submitted by Sharon

submitted by Rosalie Isaacs

The mark is a large conjoined ND for Norway Design (which looks more like a big fat N), often seen in conjunction with a + sign for Plus, the applied arts workshop in Frederickstad, Norway, where Tone Vigeland, among others, worked in the late 50s. Your piece only has the one mark, and I'm not sure what that means.

information provided by Christie Romero

submitted by Susan Williams

I saw a bracelet on the website 'The Lush Life' that says AE in a  heart is the mark of Abraham Paz, which is confusing to me. 

How can AE be the mark of EP?...Estella  Popowski?  This is completely baffling.  Anyone out there know about  this??

submitted by Marj