Identifying Jewelry Marks: What Does '629 NV' Mean?

Question
hi...im sorry to bother you but i found a necklace at a resale shop...i expect its just a costume piece but curious about the mark i found on both the charm and chain...i know nothing about jewelry but this piece is a filgree charm with a abolone piece in the center...its a teardrop shape about an inch and three quarters...i noticed first the wieght and feel was heavier than cheap stuff very smooth metal ...very smooth chain...its about 17 in long.....the mark reads 629 nv on both just very curious  very pretty piece doesnt look old.....but is really not the junk jewelry i usually find   any info greatly apprecieated   thank you so much lori   no pic available

Answer
Hello Lori,
As with all  inquries  about  makers  marks. Without seeing the piece and examining it I can only tell you this. I f it  is not marked .925 somewhere on the  chain or  pendant, it  could be sterling  but was made before the international  standard was  put into law requiring each piece, imported or otherwise to bear the  standard  of purity of the  metal if it is  a pure precious metal ..925 is the mark for sterling , whereas .999 is the mark for fine silver ( containing  no copper).The 629 and Nv could be a design  number or import number, and the NV could be the makers initials or the  manufacturers,importers or  copyright  holder's  mark.
 I did however  when  searching  my database come across a maker  using 629 and NY- it indicated that  piece was made  between 1987-2001 and in New York by a manufacturing firm.Perhaps your Nv is really a NY with a bit of wear on it from rubbing , say, on a button, or  zipper..it is hard to research  things like your piece of jewelry without  having it in hand.Being abalone if it  looks like it is in good condition, you can estimate it is fairly new-Look for the .925 first to make sure its sterling..If too heavy it's probably costume..
Sorry I can't help with a more definite answer.
Best regards,Ari