Why explore our local jewellery guide
Practical hallmarks and metal insights
Learn how to identify precious metal hallmarks, purity stamps and gemstone characteristics with clear, plain-English guidance designed to help you understand your collection.
Heritage and historical knowledge
Discover how age, maker signatures, vintage craftsmanship and historical styles influence the desirability and true market value of your watches and jewellery.
Transparent valuation support
Gain practical advice on how items are assessed, precious metals are weighed, and market rates are applied, helping you make informed decisions whenever you choose to sell.
Discover the story behind your jewellery
Welcome to the Elizabeth Jewellers Jewellery Guide — your place to learn more about precious metals, hallmarks, gemstones and the little details that can make a big difference to a piece of jewellery. Whether you're curious about a ring you've inherited, wondering what your silver necklace is made from or thinking about selling unwanted jewellery, we're here to help you understand what you have.
Understanding hallmarks
Hallmarks can help identify the precious metal used in a piece of jewellery and indicate its purity. What do the numbers mean?
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375 — 9-carat gold
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585 — 14-carat gold
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750 — 18-carat gold
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916 — 22-carat gold
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925 — sterling silver
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999 — fine gold or fine silver, depending on the metal and hallmark context
Hallmarks can be small and difficult to find. Look inside rings, on necklace clasps, on bracelet fastenings or on the back of pendants. Please note: a number or stamp on its own does not always prove that an item is genuine. Hallmarks and metal content may need further assessment.
A guide to precious metals
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Gold: Gold jewellery comes in different purities and colours, including yellow, white and rose gold. The carat indicates the proportion of gold in the metal.
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Silver: Sterling silver, often marked 925, is widely used in jewellery. We have a particular passion for silver and love discovering beautiful modern, vintage and antique silver pieces.
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Gold-Plated and Silver-Plated Jewellery: Plated jewellery has a thin layer of precious metal over another material. It should not automatically be valued in the same way as solid gold or sterling silver.
A guide to gemstones
Gemstones come in a wonderful variety of colours, origins and qualities. Some are natural, some are laboratory-grown, and others are imitations. When assessing a gemstone, factors such as the type of stone, colour, clarity, cut, size and whether it is natural or laboratory-grown can all matter. Some stones you may come across include:
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Diamonds
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Rubies
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Sapphires
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Emeralds
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Amethyst
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Garnet
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Topaz
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Opal
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Turquoise
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Pearls
A stone's appearance alone cannot reliably confirm what it is. Specialist testing may be needed to identify it accurately.
Tips before selling your jewellery
Thinking about selling your unwanted jewellery? Here are a few helpful tips before you get started.
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Don't assume it's worthless because it's broken. Broken gold or silver jewellery may still have value, depending on its metal content and other features.
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Look for hallmarks. These can help identify the metal and its purity, although further checks may be necessary.
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Keep matching pieces together. If you have a pair of earrings, a matching set or original paperwork, keep everything together when requesting a valuation.
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Don't clean valuable jewellery unnecessarily. Aggressive cleaning can damage delicate pieces, gemstones and antique finishes.
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Remember that jewellery can be worth more than its metal content. Designer, antique, vintage and unusual pieces may have additional value depending on their condition, desirability and market demand.
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Take clear photographs. Photograph the whole item, any visible hallmarks and any damage or distinctive features. This helps us understand what you have before arranging a valuation.
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Get a professional opinion. If you're unsure about an item's metal, stones or value, ask a specialist rather than relying on a stamp or appearance alone.
Looking for something special?
Let us help you find it! At Elizabeth Jewellers, we don't just buy and sell jewellery — we can also help source jewellery for customers who have something specific in mind. Perhaps you're looking for a particular ring, a special gift, a vintage treasure, a silver bracelet or a piece to complete a collection. Tell us what you're looking for, and, where possible, we'll use our knowledge and contacts to help you find a suitable piece.
Have a piece you'd like us to look at?
Whether you'd like to learn more about a piece, discover what your jewellery is made from or find out what it could be worth, we're happy to help. We offer free, no-obligation valuations and home visits by appointment across Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire. Elizabeth Jewellers — A passion for precious metals, beautiful gemstones and the stories behind every piece.
