Whats the difference between a hallmark, housemark, and a makers mark?
A.These terms are commonly confused… Hallmark: A mark or series of marks stamped or laser-engraved by a country’s assay office indicating the quality of the precious metal tested (e.g., “Sterling,” “.925,” “.840,” “.800,” or an image of a “rampant lion” indicating sterling as used in Great Britian). The object may also contain the country, assay office, maker’s mark, housemark, duty mark, etc. Housemark: A mark stamped or laser-engraved by the company (e.g., “Gorham,” “Reed & Barton,” “Tiffany,” “Kalo”) that created the object for its own line or for a retailer (e.g., “Shreve, Crump & Low,” “J.E. Caldwell Co.”). In addition, there may also be a maker’s mark, indicating the company’s craftsman who created or oversaw the creation of the object. Maker’s Mark: The name or artistic mark stamped, engraved, or laser-engraved on an object created by an individual silversmith or jeweler.
A.These terms are commonly confused… Hallmark: A mark or series of marks stamped or laser-engraved by a country’s assay office indicating the quality of the precious metal tested (e.g., “Sterling,” “.925,” “.840,” “.800,” or an image of a “rampant lion” indicating sterling as used in Great Britian). The object may also contain the country, assay office, maker’s mark, housemark, date mark, duty mark, etc. Housemark: A mark stamped or laser-engraved by the company (e.g., “Gorham,” “Reed & Barton,” “Tiffany,” “Kalo”) that created the object for its own line or for a retailer (e.g., “Shreve, Crump & Low,” “J.E. Caldwell Co.”). In addition, there may also be a maker’s mark, indicating the company’s craftsman who created or oversaw the creation of the object. Maker’s Mark: The name or artistic mark stamped, engraved, or laser-engraved on an object created by an individual silversmith or jeweler.
