When perusing beautiful pieces of jewelry, there are many things you might expect to see: smooth, shiny metals, sparkling, beaming gemstones or decorative engravings. One thing you may not be expecting to see is an 825 stamp engraved on the piece! Or, if you have a big jewelry box full of rings, bracelets and necklaces, you may have already encountered an 825 stamp on jewelry before. But do you know what it means? Here’s a hint: when it comes to 825 jewelry, the 825 stamp does not mean the jewelry piece was made in the year 825, nor does it mean the piece cost $825! Read on to see exactly what it does mean.
825 jewelry: what does an 825 stamp on jewelry mean?
825 jewelry and its corresponding stamp mean that the piece is made of 82.5% either gold or silver (thus, the "825") and the remaining 17.5% of other metals. It is essentially telling you that the jewelry piece is an alloy and what percentage of it is made from precious metals (and what is not).
Most pieces of jewelry today are not 100% pure gold or silver. Pure 24K gold, for example, is too soft and prone to scratching or damage, so it's typically alloyed with stronger metals to improve durability. Similarly, pure silver (or "fine" silver) is softer than many other metals and can easily scratch or lose its shape over time. Many vintage or antique pieces are crafted from higher purity alloys, such as 18K or 22K gold. While these pieces are prized for their rich, warm hue, they may not be as durable as lower-karat gold or sterling silver. As a result, many jewelers choose to strike a balance between purity and strength to ensure both beauty and longevity.
825 stamped on gold
The 825 stamped on gold jewelry indicates that the metal is 82.5% pure gold, with the remaining 17.5% typically consisting of other metals like copper, silver or zinc. For those accustomed to seeing gold values presented as “karats," don’t fret: you can use an easy calculation to help you convert three-digit numerical markings into karats. The karat system measures gold purity in 24 units (with 24 karats representing 100% pure gold) and the percent system represents purity in 100 parts. Therefore, you can divide the gold percentage by 1,000 and multiply by 24 to determine its karat value. (82.5 ÷ 1,000 = .825 x 24 = 19.8k gold). Since karat values are traditionally rounded, this 82.5% gold content is roughly 20K gold.*
*NOTE: Some jewelry manufacturers may have 825-stamped gold listed as 19k gold. This may be due to more conservative rounding of numbers or slightly different methods of approximation.
825 stamped on silver
The 825 stamped on silver indicates that the metal is 82.5% pure silver, with the remaining 17.5% typically composed of other metals such as copper, nickel or zinc. These additional metals are mixed to improve the silver's strength and durability, which is particularly helpful for pieces like rings and bracelets, as pure silver (100%) is too soft for many types of jewelry and everyday use.
It’s important to note that 825 silver is not the same as sterling silver. Sterling silver (often marked with “925” or “S Silver” on jewelry) is defined as 92.5% pure silver—a higher purity than 825 silver. Despite 825 silver having a slightly lower purity, it still maintains a high-quality look and durability, making it an attractive choice for those who want elegant pieces at a more affordable price point.
5 fast facts about 825 stamps on jewelry
Finding the stamp on 825 jewelry
The placement of an 825 stamp on jewelry can differ from one type of jewelry to another—and from one jewelry maker to another. However, most 825 stamps on jewelry can be found on the inside of a ring band, on the clasp of a bracelet or necklace or in another inconspicuous location so they don't interfere with the piece’s overall beauty and aesthetic.
Missing the mark?
It’s important to note that not all gold and silver jewelry will have an 825 stamp on it, especially older or handcrafted items. A piece may lack a stamp if it was made before marking standards were strictly enforced or if it's a custom design where the jewelry maker chose not to include a mark. If a piece isn’t marked, consider consulting with a professional jeweler who can use special tests, such as acid testing and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, to ensure authenticity and purity.
Silver and gold, silver and gold
You can expect to find an 825 stamp on only gold or silver alloyed jewelry. However, jewelry pieces made of other metal types may still have other hallmarks or markings, like “950,” which indicates platinum, or "CU 95," representing 92.5% copper.
Get what you pay for
The presence of an 825-jewelry mark also provides reassurance that the piece meets certain standards. If you’re going to invest in higher-value jewelry, you want to be sure your piece has clear, trustworthy markings to help verify its authenticity. This can be especially important in the resale or appraisal of fine jewelry. Always check for markings before making a purchase to ensure you’re getting a piece of jewelry that aligns with your investment.
Different markings, different meanings
If you’re thinking, “I’ve seen markings on my gold and silver jewelry before, but I swear it was a different number,” you’re probably right. In addition to the 825 marking on jewelry, other numerical markings indicate the metal's purity or the jewelry piece's composition. For example, 14K or 585 stamps may be commonly seen on gold jewelry, signifying 58.5% pure gold, while “GP” stands for "Gold Plated," and "P" means the gold purity is exact. Understanding these markings helps ensure you get what you pay for, especially when purchasing more expensive or antique jewelry.
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