Understanding Sterling Silver Markings: 1/2012 K.G.F.

Question

1/2012 kgf  

sterling suns   I have a pendant that is marked   Sterling 1/2012 K.G.F.
I'm wondering what that means, and a very approximate time period when that was used.  The other silver (findings) on the necklace is marked Sterling with a Sun above it.

Answer
Dear Vivian,

The 1/20 12k gf is a standard legal stamp recognized by the Federal Trade Commission for gold filled jewelry items.  The marking has been around at least through most of the previous century. Gold filled means a layer of karat gold is bonded(not plated)to the surface of another metal. The base metal is generally a brass alloy of some sort but yours appears to be on a base of sterling silver, an unusual and much less common form of gold filled.  Gold filled has a layer of karat gold as indicated by the particular stamp, 12karat in this case. The 1/20 means the layer of 12k gold is 1/20 of the total weight of the metal, sterling and gold in all.  This stamp give no means of dating the item and only tells the composition of the item.

As for the silver cone shaped caps on the multi-strand necklace, the makers of these Southwestern design jewelry items often purchase parts and assemble the jewelry. I believe the markings are for the company who makes the cone ends and not that of the necklace maker. These sorts of jewelry parts have been used for many years and items with handmade cones and silver parts will generally show a less delicate stamping.  Similar items have been made and exported from Mexico for many years. To identify or claim to know the maker of the necklace and time period is not possible from the quality stamp of sterling plus sun symbol.

The photos are excellent. Thanks so much for that.

Thanks so much for the question. God Bless and Peace.  Thomas.