Info on Maker and Date Samuel Hope by: Jeweler'sGranddaughter
Hello! Hope this information is helpful. The letters S.H. stand for Samuel Hope, which was a very prolific jewelry maker, particularly of wedding bands, at that time, and we'll before and after, but as a private company, due to financial issues, reverses, lawsuits, etc., no longer exists.
Your date letter of a stylized or antique style "G" is spot on for 1957. The letters used to change in mid year, instead of the first of January as would be expected, (up until the system was streamlined effective January 1, 1975) from one to the next, so both the "G" and the following "H" could both indicate production and marking in 1956-57 and 1957-58, consecutively. There is a very helpful website in Great Britain located here -
http://theassayoffice.com
And the specific information you seek is located here -
http://theassayoffice.com/date-letters
showing how to look up whatever information you already have, whether it's the letter itself, entered just as the letter on your keyboard, then it will show all possible year styles and variations.
Read the information above the letter/year entry block, and it explains the differences you will see regarding the background/frame (cartouches) shapes. Especially where it explains the fact that the different shapes and styles it will show you were/are used for marking silver pieces, but for gold pieces will be seen on the piece with straight edges and cut corners!
You can enter either the letter, OR if you think you know the year, as we can certainly guess with the year your mum got married, you can type that instead, and it will show you the year letter(s) that apply. As you should see by using the year, that special style of "G" comes right up!
Hope this information is helpful, and clarifies the markings inside your mum's wedding band. Keep the site marked for future reference, as you never know just when or why you might need it again! There's plenty more information provided by the website, regarding the workings of the Assay Offices, and their centuries old history.
Best Regards, Shari D. (⚘Jeweler's💎Granddaughter⚘)
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Country of Marriage by: Georgina
Thank you for your prompt response :)
Mum was married in the UK. In London, from memory.
Cheers
Georgina
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Country of Marriage by: Yvonne
Dear Georgina
thank you for submitting your question. So that I have a better idea of where to commence my research could you please advise if your Mum was married in Australia or UK? Warm Regards Y.H.Eyre
