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What is 230 Gold Stamp Means? Avoiding Hallmark Traps in Bulk Purchases
I keep meeting buyers who pause at an unfamiliar “230” mark on mixed lots. The doubt slows payments and stalls production plans.
“230” is not an international gold-purity hallmark; most times it is an internal factory or design code. True karat marks follow three-digit purity numbers such as 375, 585, 750, or 916.
My team now flags every odd stamp during incoming QC so clients avoid hidden compliance risks and price disputes.
Why does the jewelry stamps list skip the 230 code?
I cross-checked five hallmark databases and found no purity value tied to 230.
Standard hallmark lists cover 333 (8 K) up to 999 (24 K); 230 appears only as a private maker’s number or a style batch.
Dive deeper into hallmark meaning
Common purity stamps
| Stamp | Karat | Gold % |
|---|---|---|
| 333 | 8 K | 33.3 % |
| 375 | 9 K | 37.5 % |
| 585 | 14 K | 58.5 % |
| 750 | 18 K | 75.0 % |
| 916 | 22 K | 91.6 % |
| 999 | 24 K | 99.9 % |
Why a factory uses “230”
- Internal style or mold ID.
- Batch sequence for plating color.
- Employee number tied to quality bonus.
Quick purity test
I run an XRF scan1 first. If gold shows <10 %, I treat the piece as plated base metal, not solid karat gold.
Could “230” hide lower-karat gold under plating?
A distributor in Mexico once bought bangles stamped 230 that tarnished after eight weeks.
Many “230” items are brass cores with 0.1 µm gold flash—far below solid-gold value—which explains rapid color loss.
Dive deeper into plating economics
| Layer type | Gold thickness | Wear life (swipes) | Typical cost per bangle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash plate | 0.05–0.10 µm | < 500 | \$0.15 |
| Micron plate | 1.0–2.5 µm | 5 000–7 000 | \$0.90 |
| PVD gold | 0.30–0.50 µm densified | 10 000+ | \$0.60 |
Selling flash-plated brass2 as solid gold violates both trust and customs rules. I now include plating thickness certificates with every shipment.
How do letter markings on gold jewelry identify real makers?
Letter codes sit beside purity digits. They trace origin and boost resale trust.
True maker’s letters are registered at an assay office; random letters plus “230” often fail verification.
Dive deeper into audit practice
- Match letters with official registries in the UK, Italy, or Hong Kong.
- Use laser-etched batch IDs; customs officers clear them 35 % faster.
- Combine letters and QR codes for instant mobile lookup.
Should I accept 230-stamped goods at scrap value?
When purity is unclear, buyers downgrade price to plated brass.
Treat unverified “230” as costume jewelry unless an assay proves otherwise; this avoids margin loss on misleading lots.
Dive deeper into negotiation strategy
| Scenario | Offered Purity | XRF Result | Price Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seller claims 18 K | Unknown 230 | Shows 55 % Cu, 40 % Zn, 0 % Au | Pay base-metal rate |
| Seller claims plating | 0.5 µm | Verifies 0.4 µm PVD Au | Deduct 20 % for thin layer |
| Seller provides assay | 14 K | Confirms 585 | Accept full gold price |
Conclusion
The 230 stamp lacks any global purity meaning. Without test data, I treat it as a private code, not a karat mark. Reliable hallmarks use numbers like 585 or letters linked to registered makers. My lab’s XRF scans and plating certificates keep Kalen shipments clear of stamp confusion, saving buyers time, fees, and profit.