QuestionHi Thomas. recently got a ring with diamonds. its stamped 14KP and OD. i assume OD is makers mark by reading some of your other answers,, but what is 14KP does it mean 14 karate gold palted? thanx for your help.
Maria
AnswerHello, Maria. Thanks for this question. The "P" is confusing to lots of people.
Back when the standards for marking gold in the USA became more strict, manufacturers were required to make the gold in jewelry closer to the karat stamped in the item. You see, before, a maker could use 13 1/2 karat and mark it 14k. The newer standards were put into the marking act in 1976 and jewelers had a while to comply.
Many manufacturers wanted customers to know their items met the new standards and were not of the 13 1/2 karat variety. To do this, they added a P to the karat stamp. The P essentially means PLUMB. Think of a plumb bob as a carpenter or bricklayer might use to be on the mark. Plumb essentially means the item meets the newer standards.
Nothing to worry about with your ring. I believe this is simply a use of the P to signify plumb, meeting the new standards of purity.
Most jewelry today does not have the P because old stock are gone from stores and it is assumed all newer items meet the standards, with no P needed to show that. You will once in a while still see the P for plumb marking but it certainly does not mean plated.
Thanks for the question. Have a fine weekend.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. May 24, 2008 1:18pm
