What does it mean and where to find it.
The 800 Gold stamp indicates a gold item has a fineness of 80% gold or 800 grams of gold per 1000 grams of weight. It can be described as 19.2-carat Gold. The stamp originates from one of the three Portuguese Assay Offices—Porto, Lisbon and Gondomar.
The 800 Gold stamp appears on many antique items of Gold jewellery from 1938 onwards, recorded in the Portuguese Assay Office historic hallmark information.
Where to find the 800 Gold Stamp.
To find the 800 Gold mark, you need sharp eyes or a strong lens—preferably a 10x loupe. This often tiny hallmark appears discreetly, sometimes applied to a link or less visible part of the jewellery item. Our main image shows the stamp on a link from a small gold charm. Our image has been magnified to provide an example of the hallmark.
What is the head shown above the 800 mark?
Due to the hallmark’s size, the boundary box’s shape, or cartouche, many collectors struggle to find it, but from the illustration above, the mark clearly shows a snarling hound with his tongue out.
The appearance of a Stag and 800.
Some Portuguese Gold jewellery items feature a stag with antlers and the same 800 number. Interestingly, this edition of the hallmark dates from 1998. For this reason, items with the hound and 800 mark pre-date items with the stag symbol.
Why does 800 mean – 19.2 Carat Gold
As most of us know, 100% Gold is 24 carat. And, 18ct Gold includes 75% total Gold as indicated by a 750 Gold Stamp. And 375 Gold has 37.5% Gold content.
Therefore 800 Gold is 80% pure. Or, has 800 parts per 1000. 80% of 24 carats is therefore 19.2 carats.
About Mark Johnson
My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. I have 30 years or experience in polished diamonds and jewellery. Today, I work with an expert team in our Isle of Wight jewellery showroom located in Ryde. Most of my work involves helping clients in our showroom, working on our two websites and photographing jewellery commissions.
