strange mark? 686 AR

[Madhatter]

Can anyone identify this mark? I have tried google but im not really getting anywhere, this is on a chain.

 

[goldpelican]

Sure it's not 999 upside down? Would think most chains would be 925. Could be a design number like some flatware - see http://www.alastaircrawford.com/php_uploads/hallmarks.php

 

[Madhatter]

I have just double checked and its 686 AR for sure, But the strange thing is there is no marks for purity , no 925 stamp or nothing thats the only stamp on it.

 

[House]

Does it have 925 or anything else stamped on it. If so, this may be a clue

Arezzo is a city in Tuscany were most of the Italian silver items are mass produced. The "AR" letters stay for Arezzo.
The 3-digit number identifies one of the many registered makers.

Hallmarks usually look like 800 AR### or 925 AR### .
Usually only 925 AR### items are exported, as the international standard for silver is more frequently 925-silver than 800-silver.

eBay

 

[Madhatter]

cant find any other marks at all, but thank you that looks like it so might be able to track a maker down for it, luckily it only weighs about 20grams so not a massive loss if it isn't silver but i think it probably is.

 

[goldpelican]

Ah! Google "Arezzo Silver Hallmark" and there are examples.

http://www.silvercollection.it/SILVERSMITHSAR.html lists the first 120. So it's a makers mark, not a fineness.

Another example: