Hallmarking

To legally sell items of precious metals above certain weights in the UK a hallmark is required. Assay offices in London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh apply these marks assuring the quality of metal being sold

A hallmark:

  • Is a set of component marks applied to articles of the precious metals gold, silver, platinum or palladium.
  • Means that the article has been independently tested.
  • Guarantees that it conforms to all legal standards of purity (fineness).
  • Guarantees provenance by telling us where the piece was hallmarked, what the article is made from, and who sent the article for hallmarking. 

The standard hallmark formation is horizontal with minimal spacing between the marks.  

 

The Full Traditional Hallmark comprises five marks:

  • Sponsor's mark - compulsory
  • Traditional fineness mark
  • Millesimal fineness mark - compulsory
  • Assay Office mark - compulsory
  • Date letter mark 

 

Again Silver