What does the term "Ges. Gesch" mean on jewelry?

The term Ges. Gesch is an abbreviation for "Gesetzlich Geschutzt" and is the German equivalent of a trademark, copyright or patent, as seen in the United States. The translation of Gesetzlich Geschutzt literally means legally protected.

This full term or its abbreviation is often found on German antiques and jewelry, such as on online auction sites. Fundamentally, the term states that it cannot be copied without expressed permission. The word geschutzt is also used in the German language in other facets. It can also refer to a person that is sheltered or protected. To pronounce this word correctly, one would say, "gess-schtootz."