The presence of a "JH" mark on jewelry does not indicate that the item is real gold.
Understanding the "JH" Mark on Jewelry
According to the provided reference, JH is a hallmark used by a jewelry designer as their identification mark. This mark serves to identify the maker or designer of the piece, similar to a signature.
It is crucial to understand that:
- The "JH" mark has nothing to do with whether the jewelry is actually gold.
- It does not indicate the purity or karat (K) of any metal present.
Therefore, seeing "JH" on a piece of jewelry tells you who designed or manufactured it, but it provides no information about its metal content.
How to Determine if Jewelry is Real Gold and its Purity
To determine if a piece of jewelry is gold and how much gold it contains (its purity), you need to look for specific official markings known as proofmarks, hallmarks, or purity marks.
These marks are applied by assay offices or manufacturers to certify the metal content. Examples of what you should look for include:
- Purity Marks: These indicate the proportion of gold in the metal alloy. They can be expressed in karats (e.g., 10K, 14K, 18K, 24K) or in millesimal fineness (parts per thousand, e.g., 417 for 10K, 585 for 14K, 750 for 18K, 999 for 24K).
- Assayer's Mark: The mark of the official body (assayer or standards bureau) that tested and certified the metal content.
- Date Letter: In some systems (like the UK), a letter indicating the year the item was assayed.
- Town Mark: The mark of the city where the assay office is located.
| Hallmark Type | What it Indicates | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Designer/Maker | Identifies the person or company who created the piece. JH is this type. | JH, Tiffany & Co., Cartier |
| Purity/Fineness | Specifies the proportion of precious metal (e.g., gold) in the alloy. | 14K, 585, 750, 18K |
| Assay Office | Mark of the official body that verified the metal content. | Anchor (Birmingham, UK), Leopard (London, UK) |
In summary, while a "JH" mark identifies the designer, you must find the official purity marks (like 14K, 750, etc.) to know if the jewelry is gold and its quality.
