Hallmarking is an important process that is used to verify the purity and authenticity of precious metals used in jewellery. In the United Kingdom, hallmarking is regulated by the Assay Office, which is responsible for testing and verifying the quality of precious metals used in jewellery.

The hallmark is a symbol or mark stamped onto the metal, indicating purity and authenticity. In the UK, the hallmark consists of three compulsory marks: the maker's mark, the fineness mark, and the Assay Office mark. The maker's mark identifies the company or individual who made the jewellery. The fineness mark indicates the purity of the metal and the Assay Office mark shows which Assay Office tested and marked the metal.

In the UK, gold, silver, and platinum are the most common precious metals used in jewellery. Each of these metals has a different level of purity, which is indicated by the fineness mark on the hallmark. For example, 9ct gold is 375 parts per thousand pure, 14ct gold is 585 parts per thousand pure, and 18ct gold is 750 parts per thousand pure.

Does Every Piece of Jewellery Need A Hallmark?

In the UK, not every piece of jewellery using gold, silver, or platinum must be hallmarked. The minimum weight of a piece of jewellery above which a hallmark is required depends on the type of precious metal used in the jewellery.

1. For gold, the minimum weight for hallmarking is 1 gram.
2. For silver, the minimum weight for hallmarking is 7.78 grams (1/4 troy ounce).
3. For platinum, the minimum weight for hallmarking is 0.5 grams.

It is important to note that these weight thresholds only apply to individual components of jewellery, such as a single earring or a pendant, and not to sets of jewellery or multiple items sold together. In addition, certain exemptions may exist for some types of jewellery, such as antique items or items made using certain traditional techniques.

However, in general, any piece of jewellery that meets the weight thresholds for a particular metal must be hallmarked by an Assay Office in the UK to ensure its quality and authenticity.

Hallmarking is important for British consumers as it provides a guarantee of the quality and authenticity of the precious metal used in their jewellery. It also helps to prevent fraud and misrepresentation in the jewellery industry, ensuring that consumers can make informed purchasing decisions and have confidence in the products they buy.

At After Diamonds, we understand the importance of hallmarking and only offer products that a UK Assay Office has hallmarked. We believe this provides our customers with peace of mind and ensures they receive high-quality, authentic jewellery they can treasure for years.