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Hallmark field guide

What Does Pt950 / 950 Mean on Jewelry?

Pt950 is a platinum quality claim of 950 parts platinum per 1,000 parts alloy. A bare 950 needs surrounding context because numbers can appear in different systems. Read the complete mark and the object together before drawing a conclusion.

Updated August 5, 2026Sources listed on page

The “Pt” or “Platinum” context matters when interpreting the number.

A hallmark or responsible-party mark adds evidence, but testing may still be appropriate.

Common interpretation

95.0% platinum when correctly used as a platinum fineness mark

Material category

Platinum alloy

What the mark can suggest

Pt950 is a platinum quality claim of 950 parts platinum per 1,000 parts alloy. A bare 950 needs surrounding context because numbers can appear in different systems.

What it does not prove

  • That an unqualified 950 number refers to platinum
  • The identity of any white surface coating
  • Maker, gemstone quality, or value

What to check next

  1. 1Photograph the exact letters and number together
  2. 2Look for maker, assay-office, and country marks
  3. 3Use a jeweler or assay professional rather than relying on magnet or scratch tests

Frequently asked questions

What does Pt950 mean?

It is a claim that the platinum alloy contains 950 parts platinum per thousand, or 95%.

Does 950 always mean platinum?

No. The surrounding letters, symbols, object, and marking system are needed to interpret a bare number responsibly.

Sources and further reading

This guide summarizes the official and institutional references below. Open the original source for its full scope, jurisdiction, definitions, and updates.

  1. UK Government / British Hallmarking Council

    Hallmarking: fineness guidance

    Official reference for recognized UK precious-metal fineness standards.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hallmarking-fineness-guidance

  2. UK Government

    Hallmarking is the law: guidance summary

    Explains compulsory elements of a UK hallmark and how fineness is expressed in parts per thousand.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hallmarking-guidance-notes/hallmarking-is-the-law-guidance-summary

  3. U.S. Federal Trade Commission

    Buying Platinum, Gold, and Silver Jewelry

    Consumer guidance on karat marks, silver fineness, plating, filled products, and maker marks.

    https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/buying-platinum-gold-and-silver-jewelry

Continue your research

Browse metal and hallmark guidesLearn how fineness, maker, assay, plating, and construction clues fit together.

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