* Silver hallmark
The .999 hallmark: meaning, purity & value
Dotted-prefix American convention for fine silver fineness. The dot prefix distinguishes the fineness number from karat (e.g., '925' could be misread as a model number).
Published May 30, 2026
Quick facts
- Metal
- Silver
- Purity
- 99.9%
- Fineness
- 999/1000
- Common regions
- United States
- Standard
- ISO 9202
Stamps that mean the same thing
This purity may be struck into jewelry as any of: .999 / 999 / FINE SILVER. The mark differs by country and era, but the metal content is identical.
What .999 tells you
Dotted-prefix American convention for fine silver fineness. The dot prefix distinguishes the fineness number from karat (e.g., '925' could be misread as a model number).
How to value it
The melt value of a .999 piece is silver spot price × 0.999 × weight (g). A buyer typically deducts 5–15% for assay, refining, and margin, so the cash offer lands just under that figure. Stones and complex settings are usually excluded from the metal weight.
How to check it yourself
- Examine the stamp under a 10× loupe — genuine marks are crisp and evenly struck, not doubled or smeared.
- Confirm the mark reads .999 or an equivalent such as 999.
- Photograph it in the Jewelry Identifier app to read the metal, hallmark, and any gemstones from the image.
- For a binding result, have an assay office or gemological lab run an XRF purity test.
* Frequently asked
FAQ
- Q. Is .999 the same as 999?
- A. Yes. .999, 999, FINE SILVER all denote the same material — 99.9% silver. Different markets and eras stamp it differently, but the purity is identical.
- Q. How much is .999 worth?
- A. Its melt value is the silver spot price × 0.999 × the weight in grams. Buyers then deduct roughly 5–15% for refining and margin, so a quoted buy-back price sits a little below that theoretical figure.
- Q. How do I confirm a .999 stamp is genuine?
- A. Look at the mark under 10× magnification for crisp, even strikes, cross-check the weight-to-volume ratio against the expected density, scan it with the Jewelry Identifier app, and — when it matters — have an XRF test done by an assay office or gemological lab.
* Try it
Identify the jewelry in your hand, right now.
Just take a photo — AI reads the metal, gemstone, hallmark, era, and an estimated value range in seconds. First two scans free, no account required.
Download on the App Store* Related