Decoding Your Vintage Bernstein Amber Brooch: S.B.M. 835 Meaning

Question
This brooch bought in Germany in 1967 has a marking on the back S.B.M 835 handarbeit. can you tell me what this means? Sorry to waste your time if its just trash.
Thank you Pam

Answer
Hi Pamela, No problem at all. The S.B.M. is the makers mark or company initials. The .835 is the metal purity as it pertains to 1000 parts pure. In this case the metal is Silver and it is 83 1/2 % pure silver. Just short of Sterling which .925. My German is a bit rusty so I'm at a loss with the handarbeit word. At any rate you have some value there. A good jeweler can give you a verbal appraisal on its replacement value if lost for insurance purposes should you choose to insure it. Good Luck and Thanks.

Steve Kretser