Jewellery Hallmarks
Hallmarking is the world's first known instance of consumer protection law, in the UK it dates back to about 1300 AD. It is controlled by the Hallmark Act 1973, as modified by The Hallmarking (Hallmarking Act Amendment) Regulations 1998, and The Hallmarking (Hallmarking Act Amendment) Order 1998. The new regulations and standards became effective as from January 1st 1999.
A hallmark is a quality control mark placed on an article made of precious metal. Sometimes called a hall, assay or standard mark. It is usually applied after accurate independent testing by an assay office. In the United Kingdom, there are four Assay Offices which are legally empowered to test precious metal objects, and to apply a hallmark to them. These offices are in London, Sheffield, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.
Hallmarked Jewellery
A UK hallmark now contains at least three symbols, the sponsor's mark (often called a maker's mark), a number indicating the purity or fineness in parts per thousand, and an Assay Office mark. There are additional optional marks, a date letter, a fineness symbol, and a common control mark.
Hallmarks guarantee to the consumer that the article has been independently tested to be of the stated minimum purity. They also inform and protect vendors from unintentionally mis-describing an article. The presence of a hallmark avoids the necessity of re-testing a piece whenever it is valued or offered for resale.
Hallmarks have traditionally covered gold and silver, but in 1976, platinum was included as a hallmarkable precious metal.
To learn more about British Hallmarks please follow this link to The Birmingham Assay Office (opens in a new window).
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