Irish silver hallmarks are official stamps applied to silver items to certify their purity, origin, and date of manufacture. A complete Irish hallmark typically includes a maker’s mark (initials or logo), a fineness mark (such as 925 for sterling silver), an assay office mark (the crowned harp), and a date letter indicating the year of … Read more
Below are all the questions you might have about U.S. Mint gold coins. Enjoy and LMK in the comments if you want to know more. What Types of Gold Coins Does U.S. Mint Produce? The U.S. Mint produces two types of gold coins, bullion coins and commemorative coins. Gold bullion coins are investment-grade coins made … Read more
Sterling silver is a real silver alloy containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, typically copper. The term “sterling” originated from 12th-century England’s “Easterling” silver coins valued for their durability. To calculate sterling silver’s melt value, multiply the item’s weight by the current silver spot price, then by 0.925. However, sterling silver collectibles often … Read more
Solid ruthenium metal is completely safe and non-toxic for humans, making it suitable for jewelry and bullion. However, certain ruthenium compounds are highly dangerous. Ruthenium tetroxide is extremely toxic when inhaled, causing severe respiratory problems and potential respiratory failure. Radioactive ruthenium isotopes (like Ruthenium-106 and -103) exist in nuclear facilities and can be released during … Read more
Solid osmium is safe and non-toxic for humans, used in jewelry and bullion without health risks. However, powdered osmium becomes deadly when it reacts with oxygen, forming osmium tetroxide, a highly toxic compound found only in laboratories. Osmium tetrachloride is another dangerous osmium form requiring careful handling. All commercial osmium jewelry and bullion are made … Read more
Is silver toxic to humans? Is silver jewelry dangerous to wear? Can it cause body toxicity and serous symptoms? Which silver forms are most dangerous? And is natural silver radioactive or not? Learn it right below! Take this quiz to test your knowledge on silver toxicity. Which Silver Forms are Toxic to Humans? And Which … Read more
Ruthenium is hypoallergenic and is one of the least likely jewelry metals to cause allergic reactions. This also means ruthenium isn’t toxic in its solid form as used in jewelry. However, while ruthenium is hypoallergenic, it’s often alloyed with allergenic metals which then make it allergenic. Ruthenium is also used to thinly coat allergenic base … Read more
Platinum 500 is a platinum alloy containing 50% pure platinum and 50% other metals, which can be precious metals (palladium, rhodium) or base metals (copper, cobalt). It’s typically non-magnetic and paramagnetic unless alloyed with ferromagnetic metals like iron or nickel. The alloy isn’t consistently hypoallergenic due to potentially allergenic metals in the 50% non-platinum portion. … Read more
Silver 875 is a silver alloy containing 87.5% pure silver and 12.5% other metals, typically copper. It was historically used in Russia and Eastern Europe and was called “84 Zolotnik Silver” from the Russian purity system where 84/96 zolotniks equals 87.5% silver. This silver alloy is non-magnetic and generally hypoallergenic, though copper sensitivity may occur. … Read more
The 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar is a U.S. coin designed by George T. Morgan, composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. It was minted at four facilities: Philadelphia (no mint mark), San Francisco (S), Carson City (CC), and New Orleans (O) with approximately 24.6 million coins struck in total. 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar’s value ranges … Read more