Understanding Fine Jewellery Hallmarks: A Guide for Second-Hand Jewellery Buyers
When purchasing fine jewellery, understanding hallmarks is crucial. Precious metals like gold, platinum, and silver are rarely used in their pure form; instead, they are alloyed with other metals to enhance durability and color. Since it's impossible to determine the exact metal content of jewellery by sight alone, UK law mandates hallmarking to ensure authenticity and quality.
What is a Hallmark?
A hallmark is an official stamp applied to jewellery and other precious metal items to certify their metal content and quality. In the UK, hallmarking is required for the following pieces before they can be legally sold:
- Gold items over 1 gram
- Palladium items over 1 gram
- Platinum items over 0.5 grams
- Silver items over 7.78 grams
Every piece of second-hand jewellery we sell is thoroughly checked for hallmarks, ensuring you receive genuine, high-quality pieces.
How is Jewellery Hallmarked?
Hallmarks are applied by one of the four UK Assay Offices—London, Birmingham, Sheffield, or Edinburgh. These offices independently test each piece to verify its metal content. Once approved, the jewellery receives a hallmark that typically includes:
- Maker’s Mark – Identifies the jeweller or brand.
- Metal Type Symbol – Indicates whether the piece is gold, silver, platinum, or palladium.
- Fineness Mark – A numerical value representing the metal’s purity (e.g., 375 for 9ct gold, 925 for sterling silver).
- Assay Office Mark – Shows which UK Assay Office applied the hallmark.
- Date Letter (Optional) – Some pieces may have a letter indicating the year they were hallmarked.
What Do the Symbols Mean?
- Gold – Crown symbol, with purity ranging from 375 (9ct) to 999 (24ct).
- Silver – Lion passant (sterling silver), with purity typically marked as 925.
- Platinum – Orb and cross symbol, commonly marked as 950.
- Palladium – Pallas Athena helmet symbol, often marked as 950.
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Assay Office Marks:
- Leopard’s Head – London
- Anchor – Birmingham
- Yorkshire Rose – Sheffield
- Castle – Edinburgh
Why Hallmarks Matter in Second-Hand Jewellery
As a trusted second-hand jewellery seller, we understand the importance of authenticity and transparency. Every piece we sell is inspected for hallmarks, ensuring it meets UK legal standards. For items that fall below the required weight for hallmarking, we conduct additional quality checks to verify their metal content.
Special Hallmarks and Commemorative Stamps
Some jewellery carries special hallmarks, such as:
- Fairtrade Gold Hallmark – Confirms ethically sourced gold.
- Commemorative Hallmarks – Issued for significant events like the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee or King Charles III’s Coronation.
A Brief History of Hallmarking
Hallmarking has been used in the UK since the 14th century to regulate the purity of precious metals. The system originated with King Edward I in 1300 and later evolved into the comprehensive hallmarking system we use today under the 1973 Hallmarking Act.
Shop with Confidence
When buying second-hand jewellery, hallmarks offer peace of mind. They guarantee authenticity, purity, and compliance with UK regulations. Our jewellery is carefully examined and verified, ensuring you receive high-quality, genuine pieces every time you shop with us.
For more information on hallmarks, visit the UK Assay Office’s official website or contact us with any questions.
