Why Hallmarking Matters: A Guide to UK Jewellery Standards
When you invest in a piece of jewellery, you want to be sure that it’s made from the quality metals you’ve been promised. That’s where hallmarking comes in—a practice that not only guarantees the purity of the metal but also provides a seal of authenticity. Let’s explore what hallmarking means, what it involves, and why I ensure that all hallmark-required pieces at aujune are hallmarked at the prestigious London Assay Office.
What is Hallmarking?
Hallmarking is a set of marks applied to articles made from precious metals—such as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. These marks serve as a guarantee that the item has been independently tested and meets the strict legal standards of purity. In simple terms, a hallmark ensures that the piece of jewellery you're buying is exactly what it claims to be.
The hallmark provides a wealth of information about your jewellery. It not only confirms the metal's purity but also tells you where the piece was hallmarked, what the metal is, and who submitted it for hallmarking.
What Needs Hallmarking?
In the UK, it’s a legal requirement for all precious metal items over specific weights to be hallmarked. The weight thresholds are as follows:
- Gold: 1 gram or more
- Silver: 7.78 grams or more
- Platinum: 0.5 grams or more
- Palladium: 1 gram or more
Jewellery below these weights doesn’t require a hallmark, and at aujune, I adhere strictly to these legal guidelines. This ensures that every piece you purchase is compliant with UK regulations, offering you peace of mind and confidence in the quality of your jewellery.
The Hallmarking Stamps: What Do They Mean?
The hallmark on your jewellery comprises several key components, each with a specific meaning:
Sponsor's Mark (or Maker’s Mark): This compulsory mark represents the individual or company that submitted the article for hallmarking. It’s a unique identifier, usually made up of the initials of the sponsor inside a specific shield shape. Every sponsor’s mark is unique, adding a personalised touch to each piece of jewellery. My sponsors mark is my initials (CMS) within a shield consisting of three arches.
Traditional Fineness Mark: While optional, this mark is often included as a symbol of the metal’s traditional fineness. The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office applies this as standard, adding a historical element to your jewellery’s hallmark.
Millesimal Fineness Mark: Also compulsory, this mark indicates the purity of the metal. It shows the precious metal content in parts per thousand—ensuring that the quality of the metal in your jewellery is as high as it claims to be. The shape of the surrounding shield also identifies the type of metal, whether it's gold, silver, platinum, or palladium.
Assay Office Mark: This compulsory mark identifies the Assay Office where the article was tested and hallmarked. The leopard’s head, the mark of the London Assay Office, is a symbol of excellence and a testament to the quality of your jewellery. This mark has been used by some of the finest craftsmen in history and is recognised internationally as a guarantee of authenticity.
Date Letter Mark: Though not compulsory, the date letter mark indicates the year in which the piece was hallmarked. This mark changes annually, with different fonts, cases, and shield shapes used each year, making it a unique identifier for your piece.
In some cases, commemorative marks may also be added to celebrate special events, adding even more significance to your jewellery.
The Legal Importance of Hallmarking
Hallmarking isn’t just about tradition; it’s also a legal requirement in the UK. The Hallmarking Act of 1973 mandates that any jewellery described as being made of precious metal must be hallmarked if it exceeds the weight thresholds. Failure to comply with this law can lead to serious consequences, including fines of up to £5,000 per article. Trading Standards Officers have the authority to seize non-compliant items, ensuring that consumers are protected against fraud.
Additionally, all dealers are required to display a statutory notice describing the approved hallmarks. This transparency ensures that you, as a buyer, are fully informed about the authenticity and quality of the jewellery you purchase.
Why I Choose the London Assay Office
At aujune, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and authenticity in every piece of jewellery I offer. I choose to have all jewellery that requires hallmarking hallmarked at the London Assay Office, my local assay office. With over 700 years of history, the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office is renowned for its rigorous testing and unmatched expertise in the world of precious metals. The leopard’s head mark is not just a stamp of approval; it’s a symbol of the trust and excellence that you can expect when you choose jewellery from aujune.
When you invest in jewellery from aujune, you’re not just purchasing a beautiful piece—you’re also receiving a guarantee of quality, authenticity, and craftsmanship that’s been independently verified by one of the most respected institutions in the industry.
