What Does a 685 Stamp on a Piece of Jewelry Mean?

Have you ever found a small stamp like 685 on your ring, necklace, or bracelet and wondered what it means? Jewelry stamps are not just random numbers – they actually tell you important information about the metal content, origin, or authenticity of the piece. Let’s break down what a 685 stamp usually indicates and how you can correctly understand it.

Understanding Jewelry Hallmarks and Stamps

In simple terms, a jewelry stamp (also called a hallmark) is like an identity card for your jewelry. It’s a tiny marking added by the manufacturer or jeweler to show the purity of the metal, brand name, or sometimes the country of origin.

For example:

  • Gold jewelry often has numbers like 375, 585, or 750 to indicate gold purity.
  • Silver jewelry might have marks like 925 (meaning sterling silver).
  • Platinum may have marks like 900 or 950 indicating the percentage of platinum content.

What Does the 685 Stamp Mean?

The 685 stamp is unusual because it’s not part of the common international gold standards like 585 (14K) or 750 (18K). However, some jewelry stamps are specific to certain manufacturers and may represent:

  • Manufacturer’s code – A unique number used by a jewel designer or maker to identify the style, design, or batch.
  • Custom purity – In rare cases, it could indicate a gold purity percentage (68.5%), which is not a common hallmark but may be used in specific local markets or by custom jewelers.
  • Serial or model number – Luxury brands sometimes put numbers that don’t relate to metal content but help track the jewelry item.

Why This Is Not a Common Purity Stamp

Most countries follow standardized gold hallmark systems. For example:

  • 375 = 9 Karat gold (37.5% pure gold)
  • 585 = 14 Karat gold (58.5% pure gold)
  • 750 = 18 Karat gold (75% pure gold)

Since 685 is not part of this system, it’s more likely a manufacturer’s internal code, model code, or design reference for their catalog.

How to Identify What 685 Means for Your Jewelry

If you want to be sure about your jewelry’s metal content and authenticity, you can follow these steps:

1. Check for More Stamps

Sometimes jewelry will have multiple marks. One might be the purity mark (like 14K) and another could be the serial number (like 685).

2. Use a Jeweler’s Loupe

A magnifying glass or loupe can help you see if there are other tiny markings beside the number. Look for letters like K (karat), PT (platinum), or 925 (sterling silver).

3. Test the Metal Purity

You can take the jewelry to a professional jeweler for an acid test or an XRF test to determine the exact composition.

4. Contact the Manufacturer

If your jewelry is from a known brand, check their official website or contact customer service. They often keep records of product codes like 685.

Real-Life Example

Let’s say you bought a vintage gold ring from a local market. It has “685” stamped inside but no letters indicating karatage. You might think it’s 68.5% pure gold. However, after testing at a jeweler, you might discover it’s 14K gold, and the number is actually a design number assigned by the manufacturer back in the 1980s.

This is why guessing solely from the stamp can be misleading; professional verification is always the safest route.

Key Points to Remember

  • 685 is not a standard gold purity hallmark.
  • It can be a manufacturer’s code, model number, or special local purity marking.
  • Always check for other stamps or test the metal for accuracy.
  • Consult professional jewelers or brand records for exact identification.

💡 Final Thought

Jewelry stamps are fascinating little clues about the history and authenticity of a piece. While numbers like 375, 585, and 750 are well-known purity marks, a 685 stamp usually points to a maker’s code rather than a standard karat marking. If you come across such a stamp, think of it as a puzzle — the fun lies in uncovering its origin and story. So next time you spot a number on your jewelry, you’ll know exactly how to investigate and get the real answer.

Categorized in:

Answers