Stamping question

I’m working on a production line that includes sterling, fine
silver, 18kgold and 24 k gold. I know that these pieces should
be stamped to identify the metals used but how do I do that
without stamping the Great American Novel on the back? Just
choose the metal which makes up most of the piece? Thanks in
advance Pat in beautiful autumn colored Pennsylvania

Some personal preferences:

Stamp only those metals that are prevalent. 
Stamp to indicate the main ingredients.
Don't bother with the silver, if the gold parts are substantial.

We are not compelled to hallmark here in New Zealand.

Brian
B r i a n =A0 A d a m R u t h B a i r d J e w e l l e r y
http://www.adam.co.nz ph/fx +64 9 817 6816 NEW ZEALAND

Welllll…depends on the size of the piece. If you’re using
that many different materials, sounds hefty enough to support one
more (small) piece, a stamp made up to be soldered in place just
before finishing. I’ve done large runs and made up a single hefty
stamp, deeply incised, listing the materials and the maker’s
mark, molded it, cast it (or alternately, for the lighter or
smaller pieces, a single custom-made stamp if the cost was
feasible), and soldered it in place. Creating the piece with the
idea of an applied stamp in mind is helpful, but a little survey
of one of the finished pieces will indicate if you can do it or
just wind up with War And Peace etched on the reverse. Maybe you
can take up calligraphy… Good luck from glowing golden
leafy Media.

I obviously need some help here. As I previously worked in
silver or 14k this had not been a burning issue. Currently I have
been doing works that have both gold and silver elements in the
same piece. Using Untracht’s text as I guide, I was under the
impression that combination pieces could only be stamped silver
unless the whole piece could be assayed for a gold content only
one half karat less than the mark. I have therefore only been
stamping the pieces with a sterling mark. Should I also be
stamping a karat indication? Is this technically legal in the
United States? Linda

Actually, the pieces are very light-28 ga fine silver, roller
printed, with keum boo gold applied (very thin, the next step up
from enameling leaf) and riveted with 18k or sterling rivets
(design choice) to a 26 sterling back. I guess the custom stamp
will work best. ThaNKS. btw, is that Media Pennsylvania? I grew
up in Berwyn. Pat in Central Pa.

Hi Linda,

stamping the pieces with a sterling mark. Should I also be
stamping a karat indication? Is this technically legal in the
United States?

I’m not sure about the situation in the 'States but in the
Edinburgh Assay office I had a piece of gold and silver
hallmarked as sterling silver. However, as there was a large
amount of gold also, they applied (their idea) a fineness mark on
the largest gold part. It was just the fineness and not the
whole hall mark.

If this doesn’t help, it may be of ineterest I guess.

Regards,

Kerry
Kerry McCandlish Jewellery - Celtic and Scottish styles
Commission/Custom Work undertaken…http://www.bennie.demon.co.uk
Katunayake, Creagorry, Isle of Benbecula, HS7 5PG SCOTLAND
Tel: +44 1870-602-677 Fax: +44 1870-602-956 Mobile: +44 850-059-162