All about Hallmarking
Unfortunately you will read in the press about rogue traders in the jewellery industry, people who sell counterfeit fake jewellery. One way to protect you as the consumer is the Hallmark. As a company that has been in the jewellery industry for over 30 years we know the importance of this and we have also had first hand experience from people purchasing items sold to them from other companies as a precious metal and bought to us to engrave, for us to then find that the item is plated when we cut through the metal for engraving.
Is Hallmarking Law ?
Yes, Hallmarking is Law in the UK. Hallmarking is officially done by an assay office and is your guarantee that you are getting the correct purity of precious metal in your jewellery or silverware item. According to the Hallmarking Act 1973 any item of Sterling Silver over 7.78 grams will require a Hallmark. There are 4 assay offices in the UK, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh and London.
Is a 925 Stamp a hallmark ?
No, a 925 stamp is not a hallmark. This is one of the most confusing things for the customer, we have seen some sellers advertise their jewellery saying '925 hallmark' a customer presumes that they are getting a 'hallmarked item' they purchase the item and receive it with only a 925 stamp.
All items of Sterling Silver over 7.78 grams must be Hallmarked by a government assay office.
A Hallmark protects the consumer and jewellers
A law and compulsory hallmarking means that the public will have a guarantee that the product they are buying is genuine of it's quality. The jewellery trade is protected from unlawful competitors who may try and pass off their lower quality item as 'real'. The hallmark makes sure that the consumer is protected and there is a level playing field for the jewellery trade by everyone abiding by the same law.
What does a Hallmark look like
A manufacturer must register with a assay office, they are then given a sponsors mark usually initials. This will be the first part of the hallmark.
The next part of the hallmark is the 925 mark, this shows that there is 92.5% pure silver present in the item.
The last compulsory mark on the hallmark is the assay office where it has been hallmarked.
Example Hallmark
Personalised Silver is an Assay Assured Retailer
We are an Assay Assured Retailer, Assay Assured status is only given to retailers who have been independently audited and verified by Assay Assured which is run and overseen by the Edinburgh Assay Office, they ensure that all precious metal jewellery (except items exempt by weight) are independently tested and hallmarked. We are registered with Birmingham Assay Office for Hallmarking our jewellery and sterling silver gifts.