How can I tell how old my brooch is?

To tell how old your brooch is, flip it over and examine the back, searching for markings. You can use these markings to learn more about your brooch and get a rough idea of its age. Depending on where and when the maker produced the piece, you may find metal purity, assay marks, serial numbers, date codes or maker's markings. When present, maker's markings are a great starting point for your research. By comparing the marking to reference guides available on trusted online resources, you can typically use it to identify the maker. From there, you can educate yourself on when the maker was in business and review guides on how to date its pieces using makings and other characteristics. Serial numbers, date codes, assay marks and purity marks may also be researched to uncover information about your brooch. If you don't find any marks at all, your brooch is possibly an antique, as most European countries have required marks for centuries, and the U.S. began mandating various marks in 1918. If you run into any difficulty while performing your research, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable jeweler can assist you with the dating process. Shop a large collection of brooches on 1stDibs.