Pendant Identification: Understanding '9c SIL.LD.AL' Engraving

Question
Hi, I'm from Australia so I don't know if that makes any real difference, but I have a pendant that belonged to my grandmother and I was wondering if you can tell me what the letters on the back mean.
It's a gold pendant with a red stone in it, but I think its only a synthetic stone. It is framed by gold flowers, and on the back it is engraved with 9c SIL.LD.AL
I know the 9c means 9 carats, but I am unsure of the rest.
Anything you can tell me would be a great help.
Thanks,
Emily.

Answer
Hi Emily. The 9c means 9 carat gold and other letters are all part of the hall mark or makers mark. Try contacting any government agencies in your country that regulate jewelers and they may know who the maker is.
In the US we have the Jewelers Board of Trade which is a registration for jewelers.
Good Luck,

Art