Should my jewellery be hallmarked?
In the UK it is a legal requirement for anything made from precious metals such as silver, gold or platinum to be hallmarked, especially over a certain weight. So in this short blog post I explain what a hallmark is, when a piece of jewellery should be hallmarked, what a hallmark looks like, where you might find it and why its important to look out for one when buying jewellery.
Narratorium hallmark on Lovelock pendant
What is Hallmarking?
Hallmarking is a centuries-old system that guarantees the precious metal content of jewellery. Imagine it as a tiny passport for your jewellery, verifying its authenticity and quality. Government-approved Assay Offices (there are 4 in the UK) test and mark precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium to ensure they meet specific legal standards. This helps to assure the owner/buyer of which precious metal their piece is made from and how much it is worth.
'Heart of Gold' Bangles with Narratorium Hallmark
So, When Does Jewellery Need a Hallmark?
In the UK there's a weight threshold for mandatory hallmarking:
Silver - any silver jewellery exceeding 7.78 grams needs a hallmark.
Gold - gold jewellery above 1 gram requires a hallmark.
Platinum and Palladium - all platinum and palladium items, regardless of weight, must be hallmarked if described as such.
Buying Peace of Mind with a Hallmark
A hallmark protects you, the buyer, from unknowingly purchasing jewellery that isn't what it seems. Here's why a hallmark matters:
Guaranteed metal content - you can be confident that your gold is actually gold (and not just gold-plated) and your silver is truly silver.
Consumer confidence - the hallmark provides peace of mind, knowing you're getting what you pay for.
Traceability - the hallmark can help trace the origin of the metal, which can be important for ethical consumers.
What does a hallmark consist of?
A hallmark has a series of distinctive marks which can be stamped or lasered that tell you the important information about the piece. It consists of a makers mark, a mark for the metal, a fineness mark, the assay office and the year it was hallmarked, Take a look at the video below which shows you in more detail and what Narratorium’s makers mark looks like.
Where will I find the hallmark?
Hallmarks can be all kinds of different sizes, some are super tiny and need a magnifier to be read properly, others are made more of a feature on a piece of jewellery and can be visible with the naked eye. You will often find them on the inside of a ring band, on the tag or clasp of a necklace, sometimes even on the ear pins of earrings.
An example of Narratorium’s hallmark with unique makers mark
What if My Jewellery Doesn't Have a Hallmark?
If your jewellery weighs less than the thresholds mentioned above, it does not require a hallmark. However, some manufacturers might still include their own stamps indicating the metal content. Without a hallmark, it's wise to be cautious and inquire about the metal content from the seller.
Why it’s important to look out for one
Hallmarking plays a vital role in protecting consumers and ensuring the quality of jewellery in the UK. So next time you're shopping for that perfect piece, look for the hallmark - it's a tiny symbol that signifies a big guarantee.
Narratorium Lovelock Choker Necklace
A sign your jeweller is genuine
Always ask reputable jewellers for a ‘Dealer's Notice’. This document details the UK hallmarking regulations and is a good indicator that the seller is committed to ethical practices and is selling you what they say it is.
Here' at Narratorium all jewellery over the weight thresholds is hallmarked as per the legal requirements so that you can be confident in what you are buying.
Emma x