One of the things I'm often asked is "Why is this ring not hallmarked?", "Is it really silver?" The answer is that I only describe something as silver if it is sterling silver and the reason there isn't always a hallmark is that, silver has to be hallmarked if it weighs more than 7.78g and Gold has to be hallmarked if it weighs more than 1g. In reality what this means is that Silver Jewellery rarely requires a hallmark (7.78g is quite a chunky ring or pendant) and that almost all Gold jewellery does require a hallmark.
The next question is "Can I have my ring hallmarked?" The answer is yes but it does have a cost and takes some time. As a rough idea, it costs me about £35 to get a single item hallmarked including postage and takes about 1 to 2 weeks.
If you would like to know more about hallmarking please read on for a bit more detail:
When it comes to buying and selling silver and gold jewellery in the UK, understanding hallmarking is essential. Hallmarks serve as a guarantee of the metal's purity and authenticity, offering reassurance to both jewellers and customers. This blog post will guide you through the basics of hallmarking for silver and gold jewellery, including how mixed metals are handled and the specifics of exemption weights.
What is Hallmarking?
Hallmarking is a practice that dates back centuries, serving as a quality control measure for precious metals. In the UK, hallmarking is a legal requirement for most gold and silver items to ensure they meet the required standards of purity. A hallmark is a series of marks stamped onto an item to indicate its metal content, the maker's mark, the assay office that tested it, and the year of testing.
The Components of a Hallmark
A UK hallmark typically includes the following components:
Sponsor's Mark: The unique mark of the manufacturer or sponsor. (Mine is SPE)
Metal and Purity Mark: Indicates the type of metal (gold or silver) and its purity. For gold, common marks include 375 (9ct), 585 (14ct), 750 (18ct), and 916 (22ct). For silver, common marks are 800, 925 (sterling silver), 958 (Britannia silver) and 999 (Fine silver)
Assay Office Mark: Identifies the assay office where the item was tested and marked. There are four assay offices in the UK: London, Birmingham, Sheffield, and Edinburgh. I use the London assay office.
Date Letter: This mark indicates the year the item was hallmarked.
Exemption Weights
One of the key aspects of hallmarking that is particularly relevant to buying jewellery is the concept of exemption weights. Exemption weights are thresholds below which items do not require a hallmark. For silver, the exemption weight is 7.78 grams, and for gold, it is 1 gram.
This means that if your silver jewellery weighs less than 7.78 grams or your gold jewellery weighs less than 1 gram, it does not legally require hallmarking. This can significantly reduce costs for jewellers, as the hallmarking process involves fees and the hallmarking cost for a small silver ring would far exceed the cost of materials in the ring.
Mixed Metals: Silver and Gold
When working with mixed metals, such as combining silver and gold in a single piece of jewellery, the hallmarking rules still apply. Here are some guidelines:
Lower Metal Hallmark: The metal that constitutes the lowest standard is considered the main metal. The hallmark should primarily reflect this metal. E.g. a ring With Silver and Gold will primarily be marked as Silver though it will usually also have a "part mark" for the second metal. (See Dual Marks)
Secondary Metal Purity: The secondary metal must also meet the minimum purity standards, although it is not the main focus of the hallmark.
Dual Marks: In some cases, both metals may be hallmarked to indicate their respective purities, especially if the secondary metal constitutes a significant portion of the piece.
Why Hallmarking Matters
Hallmarking provides confidence to both jewellers and customers. For customers, it ensures that they are purchasing genuine precious metals of the declared purity. For jewellers, it adds credibility to their work and helps build trust with their clientele.
Moreover, hallmarking can protect you legally. Selling unmarked items above the exemption weights can result in fines and damage to your reputation. Therefore, ensuring jewellery is properly hallmarked is not only a mark of quality but also a legal necessity.
Conclusion
Understanding UK hallmarking for silver and gold jewellery is important for anyone wanting to invest in jewellery made with these precious metals. The use of exemption weights can help keep the costs down for smaller lower priced jewellery items.
If you have any further questions or need assistance with the hallmarking on your jewellery, feel free to contact us.
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