QuestionI have a ring that is stamped "626" or "628" is it gold or sterling silver?
AnswerMarla, the markings in jewelry are clear to most folks when marked 10k, 14k, etc., or sterling or platinum. When we get to the numbers there is more misunderstanding. The numbers tell the amount of the pure metal used to make the recipe of metal for gold or silver items.
For instance, 18k is 18 parts of pure gold with 24 being considered totally pure(24k). The number comes from 18/24 which is 750 for 18k gold. Sterling silver is a designated legal recipe of silver, with 92 1/2 % pure silver and the other 7 1/2% other metal, generally copper. The number for sterling silver is 925.
The numbers you gave me are likely not quality marks. That means the numbers do not have anything to do with the kind of metal. You would have to find another mark for that, in my opinion.
If those numbers were for the kind of metal this is what your numbers of 626 and 628 would mean: If gold, this would be 15k. No companies that I know make 15k gold and mark it like this. If silver, this would be much less than sterling with only 62.6% or 62.8% silver in the mix.
I suspect the numbers are item designations or something similar and have nothing to do with the metal the ring is made of. A jeweler can check the metal and tell you for sure what you have.
I hope this explains basic metal quality markings for you.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. January 16,2007 7:51PM
