A modern fineness mark states how many parts per thousand of a precious-metal alloy are pure gold, silver, platinum or palladium. Divide the number by ten to convert it to a percentage: 925 means 92.5% silver, while 375 means 37.5% gold. The remainder consists of other alloying metals. Older objects may also bear karat, luoti or zolotnik marks.
In addition to the number, check for a letter and note the outline of the mark. These help identify the metal and narrow down the period in which the object was marked.
Gold fineness
Gold marks
Periods of use for gold fineness marks in Finland
Mark
Period of use
23 K
1754–1892
20 K
1754–1892
18 K
1754–1892
999
From 1998
969
1892–2000
916
From 2001
875
1895–1968
833
1892–1968
750
From 1892
585
From 1925
375
From 2001
Examples of gold marks
18KGold fineness mark expressed in karats.
969 and 23KThe 969 ducat-gold mark and the 23K karat mark. The ring was made in Tampere in 1892, when millesimal fineness marks came into use. The rectangular outline of the 969 mark predates the 1893–1895 regulations requiring oval outlines for gold marks.
750 and 18KMillesimal fineness marks came into use in 1892, but the older karat marks continued alongside them for many years. The ring shown dates from 1907.
Silver fineness
Silver marks
Periods of use for silver fineness marks in Finland
Mark
Period of use
13, 13L
1853–1891
84
1853–1891
78
1853–1891
925H
1969–1972
916H
1925–1968
875H
1895–1968
830H
1969–1972
813H
1895–1972
999
From 1998
925
From 1973
830
From 1973
813
1892–1894 and 1973–1974
800
From 2001
Examples of silver marks
13LCarl Fridolf Ekholm's responsibility mark, silver fineness 13L (13 luoti), control mark, year mark for 1877 and Helsinki locality mark.
84From 1853, the luoti marks 13 and 13L and the Russian-derived zolotnik marks 84 and 78 were used.
78Russian-derived zolotnik fineness mark.
916HMillesimal silver fineness mark with the letter H.
813HMillesimal silver fineness mark with the letter H.
925Millesimal silver fineness mark.
875HMillesimal silver fineness mark with the letter H.
Platinum fineness
Platinum marks
Periods of use for platinum fineness marks in Finland
Mark
Period of use
999
From 1998
950
From 1977
900
From 2001
850
From 2001
Example of a platinum mark
950Millesimal platinum fineness mark.
Palladium fineness
Palladium marks
Periods of use for palladium fineness marks in Finland
Mark
Period of use
999
From 2009
950
From 2009
850
From 2009
500
From 2009
Example of a palladium mark
950Millesimal palladium fineness mark.
Mark database
Responsibility mark search
Search for a responsibility mark by its letters or find makers associated with a particular location. You can use either field or complete both.
How to get better search results
If the holder of a responsibility mark is not found, try searching by location only. Results also include makers whose mark has not yet been identified with certainty.
For a Symbol Mark or Signature Mark, enter the Symbol Mark number or Signature Mark search code in the mark field. The codes are available in the Symbol Marks and Signature Marks sections above.
Letters in old marks can resemble one another. If necessary, try alternatives such as I and J, or C and G.
Enter the letters together without full stops or spaces: A:PIHRA → APIHRA, C:G:N → CGN and C.F. ELG → CFELG. The characters /, & and – may form part of a mark.
