Maker’s mark
In The Netherlands all goldsmiths and silversmiths have the obligation to stamp their piece of jewellery or silverware with a signature mark. This is called the maker’s mark. This mark consists of initials and a personal symbol.
In the old days of the guilds the pupils were allowed to place their maker’s mark in a special plate, by hammering the stamp, after the pupil finalized their master test and was made a guild member.
These days you can still request your maker’s mark after you finalize your goldsmith degree. This maker’s mark will be officially registered at the Waarborg, the Dutch Assay Office.
Identification mark or Hallmark
Did you know that Ellen en Lotte both have their own maker’s mark in the shape of a stamp? It will be stamped in every piece of jewellery that is finished at their workbench. It is only very small, 1 mm, but is very readable with a magnifier. After that the pieces will be tested at the Waarborg, the Dutch Assay Office, and will be signed off with a special alloy mark or hallmark. This content mark will give information about what metal has been used and the metal content. For example 14 ct gold consists of 58.5% fine gold and have a 585 stamp and 18 ct consist of 75% fine gold and will have a 750 stamp. The sterling silver alloy consists of 92,5% pure silver. This way the customer is assured what material has been used in their jewellery.
Ellen en Lotte have designed their own maker’s mark. The hallmark consists of their initials and a personal symbol, for both of them a leaf. The leaf pops up in many Oogst designs and nature on a whole is our biggest inspiration, so it seemed fitting.
Every piece of Oogst jewellery in gold or silver will be signed off with a maker’s mark and a gold alloy identification stamp and will still be recognized in 200 years as an Oogst piece of jewellery.