I know what the 925 mark stands for but what does the CL mark mean when stamped on sterling silver jewelry?

CL (which stands for CLAD) merely means that the sterling silver jewelry is plated with another metal. Sterling silver jewelry is often coated with a thin layer of rhodium, which preserves the silver and adds to the precious metal's natural luster. Rhodium plated sterling silver jewelry is considered to be just as valuable and as genuine as sterling silver jewelry is so the CL stamp should not concern you too much. I would recommend asking the jeweler what metal the sterling silver is plated with, just in case it isn't rhodium. If the sterling silver jewelry is coated with white gold, for instance, and you are allergic to nickel (which is one of the components of white gold) then perhaps it would be wise to avoid purchasing this particular item.

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