HALLMARKING - OUR GUARANTEE

 

Hallmarking in the UK dates back to the 1300s and is the oldest form of consumer protection. Precious metals, such as silver, gold, platinum and palladium, are rarely used in their purest form. Instead, they are alloyed with other metals to give them strength, durability and specific colours. Knowing the exact content of precious metal by touch or sight is virtually impossible, which is why we have Hallmarks.

 

It is a legal requirement to hallmark any item being sold as gold, silver, platinum or palladium if they are over a certain weight, according to the Hallmarking Act 1973:

 

- silver - 7.78gm

- gold - 1gm

- platinum - 0.5gm

- palladium - 1gm

 

Items under these stated weights are exempt from hallmarking, which can include small items such as stud earrings.

 

Manufacturers and importers cannot apply hallmarks themselves. Items must be submitted for independent testing to one of the four UK Assay Offices (Birmingham, Edinburgh, London & Sheffield), or an Assay Office affiliated with the International Convention.

 

OUR DIGITAL DEALER'S NOTICE