Maker's mark stamp

I need a maker’s mark stamp. I have the tool steel, but my mark
is difficult and I cannot see any other way of getting it
transferred on to the steel except by etching’. Can this be done?
Or, would I be better off having a professional do it? Can someone
recommend a source for custom made stamps. I can provide laser
printed art work. I’m a “newbie” and really appreciate your help.

Laura H.

From a peaceful little farm near the Columbia River, with a view
of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood. And, on a clear day, Mt. Adams
and Mt. Rainier.

Indian Jewelers Supply in Albuquerque New Mexico will make you a
stamp amd they are quite reasonable or atleast, they were when I
was pricing them for a stamp a few years ago. If I remember, they
were about 1/6th the price that Rio Grande was charging. Good Luck

Laura… The best source I know of steel stamps is Henry Evers
Co 72 Oxford Street Providence RI 02905

 (401) 781-4767

I don’t know if they have an 800 number or a Web site. I haven’t
dealt with them for a few years, but they were so inexpensive ,
reliable, prompt and delivered such a fine product that I wouldn’t
even consider going elsewhere. All my stamps except the first one I
ever bought came from Henry Evers. I hope for both our sakes that
they are still in business. They do have stock stamps in all forms
and sizes.

Sol K.
@solk1

 Laura Hiserote wrote: Can someone recommend a source for
custom made stamps.  

Hello Laura:
http://www.riogrande.com/

Michael Mathews Victoria

Hi Laura, Some info on stamp makers: The best is Henry A. Evers
Co. (800-553-8377) Very good detail and good hard steel. An
affordable 2nd is Oneida Steel Stamp Co. (315-363-5990) Both can
work with your artwork or work up some script. The best value is
to buy one stamp (bent ring stamp) and use it for both rings and
flat stamping. Although for flat stamping with a bent ring stamp
you will need to rock the stamp some while you’re tapping with
the hammer. J.A.

There is an advertiser in the Lapidary Journal:
Microstamp
Tel.(818)793-9489
(800) 243-3543
Fax.(818)793-9491
2770 E.Walnut St.
Pasadena, Ca. 91107

Don’t know anything about them

There was a shop in Las Vegas but can’t find their ad in the LJ.
Been there once, impressive with all of the numeric control
electronic discharge equipment used to make the stamps. They made
standards and logo stamps also.

Bill

Laura, I had my stamp made by Harper Mfg. in Las Vegas, Nevada. My
design is very intricate and they did a great job. They even told
me they had to make it twice because they weren’t satisfied with
the first one. Their prices seemed very competitive with others,
and they were easy to deal with.

Harper Mfg. Co.
3050 Westwood Drive #B-5
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
1-800-776-8407
702-735-8467
(Fax) 702-735-6895

Good Luck,
Lolly Harrison

Laura, for a makers mark try C.R. Hill & CO. 2734 west 11 mile
road Berkley Mi 48072 Phone 1-800-521-1221 and speak to Rene in
special projects. Their prices for custom stamps are about $45 as
i remember and they will work with your art. I have used them
inmthe past and have recommended them to several friends with good
results. check it out and best of luck Frank, Houston,tx.where the
wind will not quit and i can’t go fishing!!!

hey, should i be putting a fine silver.999 or sterling silver .925
on my crocheted work? some kind of tag i would think, stamp would
be impossible, on 30 gauge wire… i never even thought of this
before!! pat pat moses-caudel
http://members.aol.com/patmcaudel/2index.html

http://members.aol.com/somebdychd/index.html

ps for anyone interested: the second site listed is for Somebody’s
Child, i also write education/prevention material on missing child
issues, and have a working website up, with 11 books, 2 interactive
plays and a parent guide or two, done with humor and not with hard
scare tatics.

i’m sorry if this is a no no since it is now jewelry related.

Try Spark’s Steel Stamps in New Jersey. I just had 2 done for $75/piece.

Bruce D. Holmgrain
e-mail: @Bruce_Holmgrain
http://www.goldwerx.nu
phone:: 703-593-4652

   hey, should i be putting a fine silver.999 or sterling silver
.925 on my crocheted work?  some kind of tag i would think, stamp
would be impossible, on 30 gauge wire..... i never even thought
of this before!! pat pat moses-caudel
http://members.aol.com/patmcaudel/2index.html

For the sterling silver wire you can only use little silver tags,
Or you can use a little shape and mark that. However, if it is .99
silver you should not use the sterling tag. The pure wire silver
oxidizes completely differently than the sterling. Some people want
to know the difference. I do sell a lot of .999 silver necklaces,
and found that to be true all the time.

Gabriella

hey, should i be putting a fine silver.999 or sterling silver .925
on my crocheted work? some kind of tag i would think, stamp would
be impossible, on 30 gauge wire… i never even thought of this
before!!

Chain tags come to mind. They could be crocheted right into your
work

Think “HONK” if you’re a telepath

Bobert
Carmel,CA

Hi Gang,

FWIW: There’s a good article on ‘Maker’s Marks’ in this months AJM
magazine.

Dave

Hi all!

I am needing to get a maker’s mark stamp for my jewelry and was
wondering, is it possible to stamp the prototype before casting and
have the stamp come out cleanly in the casting? Why type of stamp
would be needed to accomplish this?

Also, are there any recommendations for good places to order the
stamp? I have one from Rio but it is low quality.

Nina Berenato

I’ve been using my hallmark stamp on wax models for many years. I
have a bent neck version. Ordered it so long ago I can’t remember
who made it. The image casts very well, but I make sure my mark is
at least one mil deep.

Margie Mersky
mmwaxmodels.com

1 Like

Try the Henry Evers Company… 72 Oxford Street
Prov. RI

Stuller Sells Success…

Andy “The Tool Guy” Kroungold

Nina Berenato raises a great question which I would like to expand
upon.

The SNAG Professional Development Seminar 2014 is planning an
outstanding program titled “Collections, Collectors and You”. Stay
tuned for more we have a stellar line up.

The program topics will start with Inventory Records, Provenance and
Maker’s Marks.

We would like to make a recommendation for a superior quality
Maker’s Mark.

If Rio Grande Maker’s Mark is not good quality I need to know where
to get the best (as a recommendation for our audience.)

In addition, we would like to find an “expert” on the topic of
"maker marks". Any suggestions for a speaker on this topic for a 5-10
presentation.

Reply publicly or privately. All suggestions are welcome.

I got my maker’s stamp made at HA Evers, years ago. They have been
great.

http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep80jj

We would like to make a recommendation for a superior quality
Maker's Mark. 

The best Maker’s Mark is the quality of the work itself.

In some cases, I do engrave “Studio Arete” on my work.

Using stamp, no matter how good, is never a sign of distinction, but
a mere identification.

Leonid Surpin

Thank you Leonid, I am not disagreeing with you. The quality of the
work is important, but when establishing the identity of the work,
and the value, the maker’s mark is essential.

A Faberge without the Faberge mark is only described as “after the
school (or style) of Faberge”. The price would be a fraction of a
stamped Faberge even if the quality were the same. I’ve seen this
over and over on Antiques Roadshow.

(Read the Appraisel Transcript on the side.) To mark was lost. Thus
the same quality work is less than half the price.

The maker’s mark in the marketplace may even be more important than
we realize.

A stamped Calder jewelry with provenance will have far greater value
than a look alike. This article from Christie’s is a great example.

The “Price Realized” for this necklace was $602,500 - far above the
estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. The maker’s mark and clear
provenance can be essential components in establishing value.

With the exception of this rarified example, in the contemporary
art/craft marketplace metalwork is seriously undervalued compared to
other medium such as glass, ceramics and wood turning. The metals
community needs to understand that the value of our work can extend
far beyond quality, materials, or tour de force craftsmanship. The
identity of the maker can be of equal importance.

AND while I am addressing this topic, the identity of the maker may
be important on a personal level as well. Stamping your work with
your maker’s mark, may be important to your children, grandchildren
and future generations. Without the maker’s mark, stories are just
hearsay.

This is one of the reasons why the Professional Development Seminar
will be addressing these issues in “Collections, Collectors, and
You.”

Harriete Estel Berman