Dreia, it's more expected in Europe still than here now to have a metal quality stamp. Seems to be not expected as automatically here now as when I started. You're right, if you misrepresent here it's still just as illegal, stamped or not.
If the item is too small it's too small, but stamps can come very tiny. I've always done it, and I think it can only add to perceived value, never hurts.
Once you get used to knowing at what stage in the process for a given piece you can easily stamp it only takes seconds.
Artistically I would strongly prefer not to use a stamp...
I generally have an aversion for labels and numbers and it does not really fit in with my style at all. My work is solid sterling or fine silver unless I specifically say it is copper or brass.
And CG, often I do not know what I am making until it is 1/2 finished. or I am planning one thing and it totally morphs into something else. Really do not want to use a stamp...
I stamp onto a little pad of metal I solder onto the piece. I learned it from David Butler. I like having my work marked, but I do hate the extra step.
Dreia, if you don't want to stamp you don't have to. Theoretically in Canada there is a paperwork process but it seems to no longer be much of a concern. Lots of people use a 925 stamp without registering a 'hallmark'.
As long as it's what you represent it as, you're fine.
Is there paper work involved to use a 925 stamp? ------------------ The law varies from place to place, as does enforcement. As does "common convention", which can be at odds with the letter of the law.
I'm pretty sure there's nowhere that requires marking; it's always optional. IF something is marked, the mark must be accurate, of course.
Most (maybe all) places require the quality mark to be accompanied by a maker's mark to assign responsibility, and usually the maker's mark has to be registered somewhere... but in practice, many people seem to use unresgistered maker's marks or none at all.
Anyway, absence of a mark does not mean the item is not sterling.
Laws also vary from place to place on how to mark items of mixed metals. In the US, as long as the parts are easily distinguished, all quality marks can go the same place, so a sterling ring with 14k accents could be stamped both 925 and 14K inside the sterling shank. As I understand it, that's not permitted in Europe - if you include a 14K stamp, it has to be stamped on a piece of 14K.
I had heard something about paper work being involved with using a stamp in Canada years ago. Thinking about it I am also realizing that as a lot of my pieces are mixed metals with brass balls or curlies soldered on to a sterling base, it would probably upset more people if the mixed metal jewelry had a 925 stamp, and this also could be illegal. So it is probably better not to confuse things and I really prefer to keep my own out of the box type of style anyways. It is what I say it is. If anything I am over cautious in how I represent my work. I would much rather understate it's value than over state it's value
Oh, and a note on the requirement for "accuracy": the quality stamp denotes a *minimum*. So it would be a bit daft but not illegal to use a 14K stamp on 18K gold.
Matthew, I know here that mixed metals can only be stamped with the lowest quality metal stamp. Unless it's really obvious. Who knows?
Wendy, you can get stamps like '18K' quite inexpensively now. I have an '18k' stamp from when they cost a lot more, and it hasn't seen much use, but it's begging for it.
If the brass bits are obviously different from the silver and the stamp is on the silver, it should be okay to stamp a piece with mixed metals.
The main point is to not be deceptive. No one will think you're claiming the yellow or red metal bits are sterling, so there's no deception. On the other hand, if you mix sterling with nickel silver, the difference is not so obvious and a lot of people will be fooled into believing the entire thing is sterling.
Thanks Mathew, I cross posted with you a moment ago. Using a stamp with the mixed metal pieces I often make would make it even more complicated... I will go with it not being required fitting best with my style of work! But I can show proof I buy the sterling if anyone is concerned. I am proud of what i do and do not at all feel defensive. Just want customers to be happy!
Deirdre, *I'm* a pussycat compared to my husband. He's got a hold of them now, and may God help them. I mean that. I let them know in no uncertain terms they didn't want to deal with him, and they didn't listen.
Long story short is: the CFPUA (Cape Fear Public Utility Authority) took over water service in 2010, I think it was. They decided, since the GS's in NC allowed for this, that they were going to backcharge us for three years of water service, claiming we hadn't been paying it with the City of Wilmington. We called BS, long and loud. We lost, but we let them know we were fighting. We were set up with a payment plan. All payments have been made, both current charges and the payment plan. They are now claiming we owe them nearly $100 by the end of the day, or they're cutting off our water.
I've been through the bills, because we kept every single one of them, for just this reason. We don't owe them a thing.
Being charged for water sounds like my idea of a nightmare Erin! I am always so glad to go down with a bucket and feel the weight of it as the hand pump pulls it up from the earth. Feels like a gift every time.
I grew up on well water - there was no such thing as city service where I grew up. There is no state level oversight for utility companies in NC, so they can basically do whatever in hell they want.
Yes, I'm madder than a wet hen right now. Angry beyond comprehension.
I think the word for what they are doing is "extortion".
IMO back charging should be illegal unless people using a service sign a consent form saying they understand there may be back charges. I know I have gotten a bill for brokerage fees on a shipment of stones that did not require this service, weeks or months after accepting delivery without any notification a bill would be arriving on top of the shipping I already paid. I was pissed about that! If someone did this to me for past water use I would be madder than 100 wet hens!
Now I have to package some stuff to get it in the mail today...
I'm deep breathing right now. Hubs has put his calls in to customer service and collections - I may be having to deal with them myself, if they call the cell phone. Letters are being written and will be mailed to the county commissioners, our US State Rep, you name it.
