- Jewelry Identifier
- Hallmarks
- PINCHBECK
* base hallmark
The PINCHBECK hallmark: meaning, purity & value
Pinchbeck: 18th-century copper-zinc alloy designed to imitate gold. Named for inventor Christopher Pinchbeck. Costume/Georgian-era jewelry; collectible despite lacking precious-metal content.
Published May 30, 2026
Quick facts
- Metal
- base
- Common regions
- UK-historic
What PINCHBECK tells you
Pinchbeck: 18th-century copper-zinc alloy designed to imitate gold. Named for inventor Christopher Pinchbeck. Costume/Georgian-era jewelry; collectible despite lacking precious-metal content.
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 PINCHBECK.
- 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. How do I confirm a PINCHBECK 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.
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