What is Jewellery Hallmarking - and Why Does it Matter?
Share
In this post, we’ll unpack what hallmarking is, why it matters, and how it works around the world.
What is a Hallmark?
A hallmark is an official mark applied to precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, and palladium) to certify their purity or fineness.
Think of it as a quality guarantee. Instead of just trusting a seller’s word, the hallmark proves that your gold ring is truly 18ct, or that your silver necklace is genuine sterling. It’s there to protect buyers from fraud and to keep the jewellery trade transparent and trustworthy.
Why is Hallmarking Important?
-
Trust and Transparency – You know exactly what you’re buying.
-
Consumer Protection – Prevents lower-value metals being passed off as something more precious.
-
Resale Value – Hallmarked pieces hold their value better because buyers and dealers trust them.
-
Cultural and Historical Value – Many hallmarks include details of the maker, year, and place of testing – invaluable for collectors and historians.
The Different Types of Hallmarks
Depending on where the jewellery was made or tested, a hallmark might include several different stamps:
-
Metal Fineness Mark – Shows the purity of the metal. For example:
-
925 = Sterling Silver (92.5% pure silver)
-
750 = 18ct Gold (75% pure gold)
-
950 = Platinum (95% pure platinum)
-
-
Assay Office Mark – Identifies which official office tested and marked the piece.
-
Maker’s Mark – A unique stamp (often initials) that identifies the jeweller or manufacturer.
-
Date Letter (UK-specific, mostly on antiques) – A letter indicating the year of hallmarking.
Hallmarking Laws Around the World
-
United Kingdom
The UK has one of the oldest hallmarking systems, dating back over 700 years. By law, precious metal jewellery over a certain weight must be hallmarked at an Assay Office:-
Silver: 7.78g+
-
Gold: 1g+
-
Platinum: 0.5g+
-
Palladium: 1g+
-
-
European Union
Many EU countries use the Common Control Mark (CCM), which allows jewellery to be sold across borders without re-testing. -
United States
The US doesn’t have compulsory hallmarking. Instead, jewellers stamp pieces with purity marks (like “14K” or “925”), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) monitors misrepresentation. -
India
India recently made hallmarking compulsory, overseen by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Gold jewellery, for example, must carry a BIS hallmark – a huge step for consumer protection in one of the world’s largest gold markets. -
Other Regions
-
Switzerland – Highly strict hallmarking, especially on watches.
-
Middle East – Countries like Dubai and Saudi Arabia require hallmarking for gold.
-
China – Uses its own hallmarking system combining numbers and characters.
-
Examples of UK Assay Office Marks
Every UK Assay Office has its own distinctive symbol, which makes it easy to identify where a piece was tested:
-
Leopard’s Head – London Assay Office
-
Anchor – Birmingham Assay Office
-
Rose – Sheffield Assay Office
-
Castle – Edinburgh Assay Office
Alongside these, you’ll often see the maker’s mark, the fineness mark (like 925, 750, or 950), and sometimes a date letter on antique pieces. Together, these stamps form the hallmark set and give you the full story of your jewellery.
Those tiny stamps on your jewellery aren’t just decoration – they’re part of a centuries-old system of trust, quality assurance, and consumer protection.
Whether you’re a collector, a casual buyer, or simply curious about your own pieces, hallmarking guarantees that your jewellery is exactly what it claims to be. Next time you spot those little marks, you’ll know you’re holding a piece of history, authenticity, and value in your hands.