Hallmarks

A hallmark means that the item has been independently tested (assayed) by an Assay office and guarantees that it conforms to a specified legal standard of purity. Unless specifically exempted, all gold, silver and platinum items offered for sale must be Hallmarked.

The modern Hallmarking system started in London in the 1300’s to protect the public against fraud and unscrupulous sellers. Traditionally hallmarks are struck into items made up of precious metal (platinum, gold or silver) using a steel punch. There is a new method of Laser marking which is becoming increasingly popular. Laser marking works by using high powered lasers to evaporate material from the metals surface, and means that finished items of jewellery do not need to be re-finished after the hallmarking has taken place.

The United Kingdom has statutory independent hallmarking and belongs to the Vienna Convention group (as of 2007) which recognizes other Countries hallmarks. In some nations, such as the UK, the hallmark is made up of several different elements, however, in other nations, such as Switzerland, the hallmark is a single mark regardless of metal or purity/fineness.

Hallmark symbols in the UK consist of three compulsory marks :

1. Who made the piece of jewellery (the maker’s mark).
2. The guaranteed standard of fineness or purity.
3. The Assay Office that marked and tested the item.

Metal & Fineness/Purity Mark

Silver	Gold	Platinum
800 925 958 999	375 585 750 916 990 999	850 900 950 999

Please note our gold and platinum are 750 and 950 respectively.