When evaluating gold lockets, particularly for scrap value, it’s important to understand what certain stamps mean. One such marking is “Back and Front” (or a variation of it), which can be found engraved or stamped on the back of some lockets. These markings can appear in many formats such as:


BACK & FRONT, BK & FT, B & F, BK & FRT



These stamps mean that only the front and back surfaces of the locket are made of gold, often 9ct gold. The rest of the locket, typically the edges, hinges, or interior, is usually composed of a base metal, such as copper or brass.

Don’t be misled by the “9ct” stamp, if it’s accompanied by “Back & Front,” it indicates the piece is not solid gold. This can lead to overestimating its value if you’re purchasing it as scrap gold.


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