French Platinum Jewelry is Not Always Hallmarked... by: Anonymous
Depending on the country of origin, hallmarks can also include symbols for place of assay, date of assay (in the form of a letter or a letter and a number), maker's mark, importation or exportation mark and tax or duty mark. Hallmarks have been in use in England and France since the 14th century. Most other European countries also use hallmarks.
The most commonly seen French Poincon is the eagle's head, and has been in use since 1838, indicating the metal is 18 karat gold. Assayed French gold is never lower than 18k. The mark can be found on jewelry in any number of places. Look for it on clasps, side edges, galleries, and pin stems as well as on the back surface of a piece.
Before 1910, French platinum jewelry may have a maker's mark, but it was not hallmarked.
Platinum was officially recognized by the French government as a precious metal in 1910, at which time the eagle's head for gold was also used for platinum. In 1912, a special mark for platinum was introduced, a dog's head.
