Decoding Platinum Wedding Band Markings: What Does 'TH & TH PLAT' Mean?

Question
Hello David,
My husband's platinum wedding band is marked "TH & TH PLAT" inside.  What does TH represent?  I've searched the internet with no luck.

Many thanks,
Janine

Answer
G'day Janine and many thanks for your query.

You are not looking at the Hallmark correctly, because the 'TH & TH' bit is not part of Hallmarking, but is simply an identifying Markers mark or store name.

For example: H.S&S is the Makers Mark for the Retail Chain Store H.Samuel and sons - a Popular British Jeweler. In the States you may have seen 'Tiffany' or 'Z' for Zales

The main problem with Maker's marks is there is NO central registry of marks to which jewelers from around the world have to comply.

The largest manufacturing base for jewelry now is China and South East Asia, and while I don't know where you live, their items show up all over the World.

But do you think the factory in Bangkok would care about your reaction to any stamp they put on their jewelry?

I don't think so.

It is there for their identification purposes only.

You might like to check where you purchased the jewelry. Does the store have and TH in their name?

Why not go in and ask them - they might know.

But at least you can stop worrying about the mark, as it has no relevance as to quality of value. It is just there for identification.

You might also like to add this query to my blog at http://online-jewelry-appraisals.com/ as other may have had a similar problem. Can't hurt anyway and who knows what answers you may get.

Hope this helps...