A hallmark is a symbol affixed to a piece of jewelry to certify its authenticity and its gold, silver or platinum content. The hallmark can be used to identify a piece of gold jewelry and determine whether it is made of 9-carat gold, 14-carat gold or 18K gold, for example. The hallmark is marked on a piece of jewelry using a tool of the same name and a small hammer. It is applied when the jewel enters France or during manufacture.

A little history

Hallmarks first appeared in the time of Louis IX, to prevent abuse of precious metals. They guarantee precious metals to prevent counterfeiting. Guarantee hallmarks first marked coins, attesting to the authenticity of the metal used.

In the 17th century, master hallmarks were introduced, particularly for jewelry. Artisan jewelers signed their pieces personally, the hallmark attesting to the jewel's gold content and its creator. In a jewelry house, we knew which jeweler had created the piece.

gold hallmarks

Gold hallmarks are used to certify the gold content of a piece of jewelry or an object, or its carat. In fact, several hallmarks exist to distinguish jewelry and objects in 9K gold, 18K gold or 24K gold, for example. To recognize a piece of jewelry in 18K gold, look for the hallmark. The gold hallmark is usually located on the inside of the band of a ring, and on one end of a necklace, bracelet or chain, close to the clasp.

24-carat gold, gold in its purest composition, used for ingots and new items, is represented by a seahorse.

18K gold , otherwise known as 750-thousandth gold, is represented by several hallmarks, such as the eagle's head hallmark or the diamond hallmark surrounding the number 750. The latter is the hallmark we use for our jewelry.

585-millimeter or 14-carat gold is associated with a hallmark representing a scallop shell.

The trefoil hallmark is used for jewelry and objects made of 9-carat gold, also known as 375-thousandth gold.

silver and platinum hallmarks

Platinum and silver hallmarks operate in the same way as gold hallmarks, and have the same functionality. They certify the patina or silver content of an object or piece of jewelry. Silver 925/1000 and platinum 950/1000 are the preferred materials for white jewelry, in addition towhite gold.

999 thousandths silver is symbolized by an amphora hallmark, while 925 thousandths silver jewelry is stamped with a Minerva head hallmark and 800/1000 silver jewelry with a hallmark depicting Minerva in a barrel.

In platinum, the emperor penguin hallmark is associated with 999/1000 platinum, the dog hallmark with 950 thousandth platinum and the mascaron hallmark with 850 thousandth platinum.

Our punches

Our 18K gold jewelry is marked with 3 hallmarks. The first is our logo, P22, which certifies that the jewel was designed by the creator of Poinçon 22 and then created and crafted by our partner jewelers.

The second is a hallmark attesting to the composition of the necklace, bracelet, earringor ring: 18K gold. This diamond hallmark, like the certificate of authenticity in our cases, assures you that the metal used to make your jewelry is 750/1000 gold.

The final hallmark on our jewels is that of our partner workshop, which makes the jewelry pieces.

why poinçon 22 ?

The hallmark is an integral part of our jewelry pieces. It is a guarantee of quality and durability, two aspects of jewelry in 18K gold jewelry. The hallmark is a bond of trust between the Maison and its customers, letting them know that their investment will last. The number 22 is the designer's lucky charm, a nod to her day of birth and this powerful number. Most of our jewelry can be personalized. By engraving your jewel with the first name, message or symbolic date of your choice, you're putting your own stamp on it, your own signature.

The Maison's name refers to a guarantee of quality, a lucky number and a personalized, symbolic piece of jewelry.