2008年6月16日星期一

London’s Goldsmiths



London's Goldsmiths' Hall of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths initiated the first hallmarks and keeps track of all the hallmarks that have been used throughout Britain's history. Basically, a hallmark is a impression in a fine metal that reveals its karat or quality. Generally, hallmarks are found on gold, platinum, and even silver. These hallmarks, also called purity marks, may sometimes contain a maker's mark, exportation mark, or more depending on where it was made and by who and whether it was exported or not.

British hallmarks are especially interesting because they have been used since the 14th century. France is another country that has also used hallmarks since this point in history. There are a lot of other countries that use hallmarks, mostly European ones. However, the United States has never really used hallmarks. The type of metal in carats and purity is marked in the United States, but the use of actual hallmarks never really caught on like it did in the European countries.

As far as British hallmarks are concerned there were usually five different symbols marked on a precious metal. These included the standard mark, city mark, date letter, duty mark, and maker's mark. Not always was a maker's mark included, and the marks could appear in any order. However, when reviewing a piece of jewelry or antique made of a precious metal the hallmarks give away where it was made, with what, if duty had been paid, and more.

The British hallmark system is pretty difficult and complicated, but it is pretty constant and once you learn it it is not so difficult to determine what the hallmarks mean. However, there are other hallmarks from other countries that are significantly more difficult to decipher and determine what the hallmarks mean. There has been significant research into hallmarks, both British and other European hallmarks, so finding out where a specific item came from and when it was made is a lot easier today with the help of the Internet. Nevertheless, hallmarks con provide plenty of clues into the origination of a precious item although the clues can sometimes be practically impossible to decipher.

Now that you know a little more about jewelry hallmarks you will be more prepared to conduct your own research into the origination of certain antique pieces in your possession. Of course, if you are really interested you might become a collector or a hallmark expert. Regardless, hallmarks provide a lot of information about different pieces of jewelry and other fine objects. It just takes time and effort to determine what the hallmarks stand for.

While the cut of a stone may not be the most important factor in deciding its value, it is critical in terms of determining a stone's beauty. When we talk about cut, we're not referring to the shape (round, pear, etc.), but rather the precision and care used in cutting the gem from the rough stone.

When I think about how my life has changed of enhancer jewelry since the rape and how unique rape of tin cup rope pearls is I feel more alone and isolated than ever before. Because I'm different now. Because someone raped me. My body was violated of freshwater pearl and turquois. So if you can't bring yourself to imagining what if it were you - at least imagine how difficult it is for survivors. We don't need to dwell on details of the attacked by pendant enhancers. It is truly unimaginable. I understand why people can't imagine themselves in my shoes and why it's difficult for many people to experience empathy. So let's skip that part and fast forward to what it's like for me now. Don't look at what was done to me, look at what was taken from me.



Orignal From: London's Goldsmiths

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