Hallmarking
What is a Hallmark?
A hallmark is a series of symbols stamped onto your item of jewellery. These are usually a Makers Mark, Precious Metal Mark & The Assay Office Mark. There are four Assay Offices in the UK that can carry out this process, they will test each individual item a jeweller sends for hallmarking. Then hallmark them, traditionally done with a punch & hammer but now more commonly used, a laser.
Why is a Hallmark important?
It is very rare precious metals (silver, gold, palladium & platinum) are used in their purest form. They are mixed with alloys to create desired colour, durability & strength. Having a hallmark means your jewellery has been tested and it meets the legal UK requirements. For example Silver's hallmark is 925 this means that out of 1000, there 925 parts silver & 75 parts alloys. A hallmark is a guarantee.
Legal Exceptions
To be exempt from the legal requirement to be hallmarked before sale does not mean the
precious metal content is lower or the piece is less valuable, simply that the law does not mandate independent testing at that weight. Many delicate jewellery pieces, including fine chains and small pendants, fall within this exemption.
Exemption weights apply under: 7.78grams - silver, 1gram - gold and palladium, 0.5gram - platinum.
My Promise
I am registered with Birmingham Assay Office & all of my jewellery over the exemption weight will be sent to them & hallmarked. In doing this I am following the Hallmarking Act 1973. My jewellery that is in the exemption weight will not be hallmarked. If you would like a piece hallmarked under the weight this can be done at an extra charge & be aware this can take up to two weeks.
FAQS - Your questions answered
Where do Hallmarks usually appear on a piece?
The location varies by piece type, but common
positions include:
- Rings - inside the band
- Bangles & bracelets — near the clasp or on the inner surface
- Necklaces & chains — on the clasp or a small attached tag
- Pendants & charms — on the reverse, or on a jump ring
- Earrings — on the post, butterfly fitting, or back plate (where physically practical)
On very small or intricate pieces the mark may be tiny, a loupe or jeweller's magnifier will make it clearly visible.
What is the difference between a maker's 925 stamp and a UK hallmark?
A maker's stamp tells you the silver content as declared by the maker. A UK hallmark is an independent guarantee. It is tested and struck by a licensed Assay Office (such as the Birmingham
Assay Office), and it is a legal requirement for jewellery or articles made of precious metal of the required legal weight described or sold in the UK. A full UK hallmark typically includes the fineness symbol (a lion passant for sterling), the Assay Office mark, and the sponsor's (maker's)
mark.
A note on gemstone authenticity
Hallmarking relates only to precious metal
content it does not certify or authenticate gemstones. Gemstones do not need to be sold with authenticity. The identity of a gemstone (whether a stone is, for example, a natural ruby, a synthetic stone, or a simulant) can only be confirmed through a laboratory
certificate or expert testing.
When purchasing a piece from us that
features a named gemstone, please refer to the product description and any
accompanying documentation. If you require independent verification, we
recommend consulting a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain
(FGA) or obtaining a report from a recognised laboratory such as the GIA, IGI,
or Gem-A. We are always transparent about the stones we use, so please ask if
you have any questions.