HALLMARKING GUIDE

British jewellery hallmarking is a system used to guarantee the authenticity and quality of precious metal items sold in the UK. The hallmark is a series of marks stamped on the metal, indicating the type of metal, the purity of the metal, the maker's mark, and the year the item was tested and hallmarked.

What is hallmarking?

The hallmark consists of three compulsory marks: the sponsor's or maker's mark, the standard mark, and the assay office mark. The sponsor's or maker's mark identifies the maker or company responsible for the item. The standard mark shows the purity of the metal, indicating the type of metal and its fineness. The assay office mark identifies the office that tested and hallmarked the item.

In addition to the three compulsory marks, there may be additional marks, such as a date letter, indicating the year the item was tested and hallmarked, and a special commemorative mark.

securing quality

At Yorkshire Jewellery Company we take great pride in ensuring that industry standards are met for the hallmarking process. This allows our customers to shop both online and in-store with confidence and reassurance that they are purchasing the correct purity of precious metals.

It is illegal for any business or trader to sell or describe a precious metal as gold, silver or platinum unless it is hallmarked.

Hallmarking Law

The Hallmarking Act (1973) by law states that subject to certain exemptions it is an offence for any person in the course of trade or business to: i)apply to an unhallmarked article a description indicating that it is wholly or partially made of gold, silver or platinum ii)supply or offer to supply an unhallmarked article to which such a description is applied.

In compliance with the Hallmarking Act (1973), at Yorkshire Jewellery Company, we hallmark all items of Silver over 7.78g, 1g In Gold & 0.5g for Platinum & Palladium in weight to comply with these standards. For more detailed information regarding precious metal hallmarking please visit www.theassayoffice.co.uk

the hallmarking service

Any items that require hallmarking must be carried out by the Assay Office. There are 4 registered offices based in the UK. London, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Sheffield.

Yorkshire Jewellery Company is registered with the Sheffield Assay Office.

On each item of silver and gold at least one or all of the following hallmarks can be found:

Sponsor's Mark

This shows the company responsible for submitting the article to the Assay Office. The sponsor may be the manufacturer, retailer, importer etc. 

Assay Office Mark

The Yorkshire Rose symbol tells you that the Sheffield Assay Office has tested and hallmarked the article. 

All silver articles sold by Yorkshire Jewellery Company over 7.78g in weight are hallmarked at The Assay Office in Sheffield and each article carries the Yorkshire Rose mark. 

Standard (fineness) Mark

The standard mark shows the standard of fineness - the purity - of the precious metal in parts per thousand. For example, Sterling Silver is 925 parts per 1000 by weight and 9ct Gold is 375 parts per 1000 by weight

All silver used by Yorkshire Jewellery Company has a fineness of 925 (parts in 1000) and is sold as 925 Sterling Silver (guaranteed).

our dealers notice

In Accordance with the Hallmarking Act 1973, a notice approved by the British Hallmarking Council Must be displayed by any person or business dealing with precious metals. Our dealers notice can be viewed here.

Should you have any questions regarding hallmarking please feel free to contact us at sales@yorkshirejewellerycompany.co.ukor call us on+44 1287 624459.