Hallmarking Information

Hallmarking is a practice required by law in the UK for items weighing over 7.78g in silver and over 1g in gold.

Hallmarking is not to be confused with a maker's mark or metal fineness number seen on jewellery in countries where hallmarking is not required and makers are allowed to mark their own work. A hallmark is applied by a third party Assay Office of which there are only four in the UK. Jewellers must send their work to the Assay Office prior to sale. The Assay Office analyse every article of jewellery to check the fineness of precious metal it is as described. 

The marks show information about the jewellery including maker, metal fineness, assay office. Optional marks such as traditional symbols and date letters can also be applied.