Hallmarking: What the Law Says and What We Promise
A hallmark is the UK's independent guarantee that a piece of precious metal is what the seller says it is. This is especially important for vintage rings above the legal requirement - which is currently 7.78g. This means, any item of sterling silver above this rate, needs a full assay office issued hallmark. However, under this weight and there is no legal requirement. However, at Silver Jewellery Store, we do our very best to ensure that all items carry the 925 mark - irrespective of weight.
What the law requires
Selling jewellery made from gold, silver, platinum and palladium is controlled by the Hallmarking Act 1973. It is an offence to describe an item as one of these metals, or to supply it under that description, if the description is not true. We take this very seriously.
In practice, this means:
- Precious metal items above the legal weight thresholds (7.78g) must be tested and hallmarked by a UK Assay Office before they can be sold as gold, silver, platinum or palladium.
- An item cannot be described as a precious metal unless it meets the stated purity.
The weight exemptions
Not every item has to be hallmarked. The Act exempts items below a minimum weight, which depends on the metal:
- Silver: 7.78g
- Gold: 1g
- Platinum: 0.5g
- Palladium: 1g
There are also exemptions for coins and for items that would be damaged by the hallmarking process. This can be the case for earrings for example.
These exemptions depend on weight, not product type. A ring has no special status under the Act. Many standard silver rings weigh less than 7.78g, so they do not legally require a hallmark. Heavier silver rings, such as chunky bands and signets, do. The gold and platinum thresholds are much lower, so most gold and platinum rings must be hallmarked.
What a hallmark tells you
A UK assay issued hallmark is made up of several marks, each with a job:
- Sponsor's mark: the registered mark of the business or individual who put the item on the market.
- Fineness mark: the purity of the metal in parts per thousand, inside a shape specific to that metal. Sterling silver is marked 925, meaning 92.5% pure silver.
- Assay Office mark: the symbol of the office that tested the item. There are four UK Assay Offices, in London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh.
- Optional marks: a date letter and traditional symbols, such as the sterling silver lion, may also appear.
The UK is part of the International Hallmarking Convention. Items hallmarked in other member countries carry the Common Control Mark, which shows a set of scales and is accepted in the UK.
Our commitment: we go further than the law
Many of our rings fall below the legal weight threshold for silver, so we could lawfully sell them without a hallmark. However, we choose not to treat that as the standard.
- Our silver ranges are hallmarked, so you can see independent proof of quality on the piece itself even if it is below the 7.78g legal weight requirement.
- We only describe an item as silver when it is. Every piece is guaranteed to be genuine 925 sterling silver. No exceptions.
Our vintage pieces were often made long before modern hallmarking rules, and may carry older marks from various countries, or none at all. We check and describe each one carefully, so you know exactly what you are buying and carefully check items to ensure we are following best practice.
How to check your jewellery
- Look for the marks, usually on the inside of a band or on the back of a pendant. A jeweller's loupe or magnifying glass helps, as the marks are tiny.
- Check for a fineness number, such as 925 for sterling silver.
- Look for an Assay Office symbol and a sponsor's mark.
- If anything is unclear, get in touch. We are happy to talk you through the marks on your piece.
Frequently asked questions
Does every silver ring have to be hallmarked?
No. Silver items under 7.78g are exempt. Heavier items must be hallmarked if they are sold as silver.
Is an unhallmarked ring fake?
Not necessarily. Items that are exempt by weight can still be genuine silver. The difference is that the metal has not been independently tested by an Assay Office. Some older, handcrafted rings may not have a hallmark at all, even though they are silver. However, we test all our jewellery for quality and silver to ensure you get only the finest items.
Can a hallmark be added to a piece later?
Yes. An Assay Office can test and mark an item, though marking small or delicate pieces can be limited by their design.
Where can I find out more?
The British Hallmarking Council and the four UK Assay Offices publish guidance for the public, and your local Trading Standards service can advise on the Hallmarking Act.
