How To Quality-Mark Precious Metals

Here's how to make sure your customers know what they're getting . . . on the day of the sale and for years afterward. Customers feel more confident and appreciate the openness when you take steps to ensure that they know what they’re getting when they buy any precious metal from you—it builds a priceless trust in your business. Jewelry made from wire, sheet or casting pieces with a definable precious metal content can be legally stamped with that information as well as with your maker’s mark.
Be sure to put these designations and your maker’s mark on the platinum, Argentium, sterling silver, fine silver, gold-filled and silver-filled jewelry you sell. Customers will know that you care about and guarantee their precious metal purchases.

---

How To Order Custom Marking Stamps

Use custom stamps to show customers the quality of your work and to keep your business top-of-mind every time they put on or take off their jewelry. Choose straight stamps for flat items and bent stamps for curved pieces such as the inside of ring shanks.
Here's how to order your stamps accurately the first time, every time. These high-quality, hand-cut stamps are skillfully handcrafted to deliver sharp, precise marking.
• Superior-quality tool steel stamps are quench-hardened and tempered.
• Beveled ends prevent stamps from cracking and fraying.
• Rust-resistant finish and uniform dimensions create superior stamps.
• The most-requested sizes are .75–2.5mm, but we will create custom stamps in any size.
• Alpha-numeric stamps are available in either block or standard script.

Call 800.545.6566 to arrange a price quote or to order quality custom stamps.
To receive a price quote, fax a copy of your original custom logo or artwork (3" x 3" size) to 800.965.2329. You can also email your art work to impressions@tbg.riogrande.com.

Please Note: Special-order stamps are non-refundable.

---

How To Choose and Use A Marking Stamp: Bent vs. Straight

Confused about which marking stamp to use? Here is a quick how-to on the differences between bent-shank and straight-shank marking stamps and how to use your stamp to get the best result for every piece, every time.

Beware, if you are new to using marking stamps; you should not expect to buy your first stamp, grab any old hammer and *POW* whale away on one of your beautiful finished pieces of jewelry. For best results, we highly recommend practice, practice, practice and more practice. Use scraps of inexpensive sheet as well as brass practice ring blanks before attempting to mark one of your designs. The mark cannot easily be erased and redone; it must be done right the first time.

Also, stamping should be done on work before any stones are set to avoid any damage, misshaping, cracking or loosening of the setting and/or stone that can be caused by the sudden stress of the hammer blow. For best results use support such a bench block or an anvil and a brass mallet to strike the stamp.

---