QuestionI have some bracelets from an estate that are marked 22k either "om" or "dm" after the 22k. like 22k om or 22k dm Could you please explain what these are? I have looked in many books and cannot find these--i found things such as "GF" "GP" etc
AnswerPaul, I am back and to apologize for the delay. I wanted to check the products and hallmarks I could find for producers of high karat jewelry items.
Unfortunately, the extra time searching still leave the doors wide open. I gave it fair shot, even if this is almost like chasing a rabbit down a trail it knows well only to see it vanish along the way. These marks do not relate at all to the quality of the jewelry and have nothing to do with solid, plated, etc.
These are the real options as to the meaning of the mark (om or dm):
By law in the USA, gold jewelry marked with a karat stamp (22k here) must be also marked with the makers mark near the karat mark. This essentially like signing a check, attesting to the honesty of the karat or quality mark. Imported goods also must meet the same standards for sale in the USA. If this is the case, the letters are the mark of a manufacturer, whereabouts unknown.
Most high karat gold such as 22k originates in middle eastern countries. Much comes from India, also. Turkey produces high karat items. The most famous location for gold jewelry is Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. Why did I mention this? Because of the chance that the abbreviations on bracelets are related to one of the known high karat gold producing countries.
Unfortunately, these marks do not correspond with marks from those countries. So, we struck out in finding the actual meaning of the letter stamps. I state in the box to the questioner on the page where a question is typed that I do not research makers marks. That is always the previously mentioned rabbit trail. So, I took a chance that country of origin might relate and that was proven not so in my efforts.
If you are concerned about the true metal quality of the bracelets, please call around to jewelers and see which will test metals on the spot for you. Some do not and the store generally must have a working bench jeweler there who does the testing. A phone call will save a wasted drive. The testing is quick and should be relatively inexpensive. Likely, only one item of the lot would need testing if all carry the same markings.
Well, there it is! God Bless and Peace. Thomas. April 3, 2008
Paul, how do you know these are not makers marks? If not, these are not quality marks I recognize from the legal markings for karat quality in the USA. I will try to research the marks. Since these are from an estate, we have no knowledge of where the items originated and were purchased. Give me a day if you will and we will see what we can find. Fair enough?
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. April 1, 2008 9:55pm
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Paul, so far I have found nothing to tell me about these marks. I will check books at work tomorrow and get with you then. Sorry for the delay but I really want to be fairly certain when I answer.
Peace and Blessings. Thomas. April 2, 2008 9:37pm
