Certified 18k Gold: What the 750 Hallmark Guarantees
A generic "Made in Italy" label costs nothing to print. It can be applied to a silver chain, a gold-plated pendant or a piece with barely a trace of gold in it. The label is a marketing decision. The hallmark is a legal one.
Every piece of jewelry sold by Boutiques del Ponte Vecchio carries two permanent stamps, engraved directly into the metal before it leaves Florence. Together, they constitute a legal certification under Italian law. Not a brand promise, but a state-enforced guarantee that what you hold is genuine 18k gold, made by an identified Florentine workshop.
Understanding what those stamps mean and how to verify them, is the first step toward buying Italian gold with confidence.
The two marks required by Italian law
Under Italian Legislative Decree 251/1999, every piece of gold jewelry sold in Italy as 18k gold must carry two distinct hallmarks, both physically engraved into the metal. Neither can be added after the fact. Neither can be faked without committing fraud under Italian law.
750 parts per 1,000, meaning 75% pure gold. This is the European expression of 18 karats. It is the only number that legally certifies a piece as 18k gold in Italy. No 750 stamp means no certification.
A unique alphanumeric code assigned by the Italian Chamber of Commerce to a specific workshop. It identifies the exact Florentine goldsmith who crafted the piece. Their name, address and license, all traceable on record.
The purity mark tells you what the gold is. The responsibility mark tells you who made it. Together, they are the only combination that constitutes a legal guarantee of Italian 18k gold.
Source: D.Lgs. 251/1999, Italian law governing precious metal marking. Violations constitute fraud under Italian criminal code.
"A piece without both marks is not certified Italian 18k gold. It is a claim without a guarantee."
Where to find the hallmarks on your piece
The stamps are small, typically 1–2mm and engraved in a location that varies by jewelry type. Knowing where to look is part of knowing what you own.
| Jewelry type | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Ring | Inside the band, near the bottom |
| Necklace / Chain | On the clasp or on a small tag attached to the clasp |
| Bracelet | On the clasp, or on the inner surface of a bangle |
| Earrings | On the post or the back of the earring |
| Pendant | On the bail (the loop that attaches to the chain), or the reverse face |
A jeweler's loupe at 10× magnification makes reading the stamps straightforward. If you do not have one, any reputable local jeweler can verify the marks for you in under a minute, at no charge.
What "18k" means for the quality of your jewelry
The 750 hallmark is not only a legal certificate, it is a description of the gold itself. 75% pure gold means the piece carries the warmth of color, the weight, and the skin-safe properties that have defined Florentine goldsmithing for six centuries.
Color. 18k gold carries a richer, deeper yellow than 14k (58.5% purity), which tends toward a paler, cooler tone due to its higher alloy content. The difference is visible side by side and unmistakable once you have seen it.
Skin safety. With 75% pure gold and only 25% alloy, 18k gold has significantly less room for reactive metals like nickel, the most common contact allergen in jewelry. Many people who experience irritation from 14k gold wear 18k without any reaction.
Value retention. Gold is priced by purity and weight. An 18k piece contains more gold per gram than a 14k piece of identical weight, which means it holds more intrinsic value over time. For buyers who consider jewelry a long-term possession rather than a disposable accessory, this matters.
Our certification commitment
Every piece in the Boutiques del Ponte Vecchio collection is sourced directly from one of our 15 partner boutiques on Ponte Vecchio. Before any piece is listed on this site, we verify:
The 750 purity stamp, present and legible on the metal. The responsibility mark, identifying the specific Florentine workshop. The condition and craftsmanship, assessed in person at the boutique before purchase.
We do not list pieces that do not meet this standard. There are no exceptions, no substitutions, and no "close enough." The 750 stamp is either present or the piece is not offered.
Each order also ships with a Certificate of Authenticity documenting the piece's origin, hallmark details, and workshop provenance. A physical record that travels with the jewelry and belongs to whoever wears it.
Every piece is hallmarked in Italy, verified in Florence and delivered duty paid... wherever you are.
Browse the CollectionCommon Questions
What does the 750 hallmark mean on gold jewelry?+
750 means 750 parts per 1,000, or 75% pure gold. It is the European expression of 18 karats and the only number that legally certifies a piece as 18k gold in Italy. Under Italian law, no 750 stamp means no certification.
What two marks does Italian law require on 18k gold?+
Under Italian Legislative Decree 251/1999, every piece sold as 18k gold must carry two stamps engraved into the metal: the 750 purity mark, which certifies 75% pure gold and a responsibility mark, a unique code assigned by the Italian Chamber of Commerce that identifies the exact workshop that crafted the piece.
Where can I find the hallmarks on my jewelry?+
The stamps are small, usually 1 to 2 mm. On a ring, look inside the band near the bottom. On a necklace or bracelet, check the clasp or a small tag on the clasp. On earrings, look at the post or the back. On a pendant, check the bail or the reverse face. A 10x jeweler's loupe makes them easy to read.
Is 18k gold better than 14k gold?+
18k gold is 75% pure, while 14k is 58.5% pure. The higher purity gives 18k a richer, deeper yellow, more intrinsic value per gram and less room for reactive alloy metals. 14k gold is harder and less expensive, but paler in color and lower in gold content.
Is 18k gold safe for sensitive skin?+
For most people, yes. With 75% pure gold and only 25% alloy, 18k gold contains far less of the reactive metals, such as nickel, that commonly cause skin irritation. Many people who react to lower-karat gold wear 18k without any problem.
How do you verify that each piece is genuine 18k gold?+
Before any piece is listed, we verify that the 750 purity stamp is present and legible, confirm the responsibility mark that identifies the Florentine workshop and assess the craftsmanship in person at the boutique. Pieces that do not meet this standard are not offered. Each order also ships with a Certificate of Authenticity recording the hallmark details and workshop provenance.
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