Hallmarks are official marks or stamps applied to precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum, to certify their purity and authenticity. These marks provide assurance to buyers and sellers about the quality of the metal and help prevent fraud. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of hallmarks, what they signify, how to identify fake hallmarks, and where to buy genuine hallmarked jewellery.

Different Hallmarks for Precious Metal Jewellery

Hallmarks vary depending on the type of precious metal and the country where the item is hallmarked. Here are some common hallmarks for different precious metals:

1. Gold Hallmarks:
   • Purity Marks: Indicate the gold content, such as 375 (9 carat), 585 (14 carat), 750 (18 carat), 916 (22 carat), and 999 (24 carat).
   • Assay Office Mark: Identifies the office that tested and hallmarked the item (e.g., London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Sheffield).
2. Silver Hallmarks:
   • Purity Marks: Include 800, 925 (sterling silver), 958 (Britannia silver), and 999 (fine silver).
   • Assay Office Mark: Indicates the assay office responsible for hallmarking.
3. Platinum Hallmarks:
   • Purity Marks: Common marks are 850, 900, 950, and 999, indicating the platinum content.
   • Assay Office Mark: Identifies the assay office that certified the item.
4. Palladium Hallmarks:
   • Purity Marks: Include 500 and 950, representing the palladium content.
   • Assay Office Mark: Shows the assay office that tested and marked the item.

What Needs to Be Included in a Hallmark?

A complete hallmark typically includes several components:

1. Sponsor’s Mark: Identifies the manufacturer or sponsor who submitted the item for hallmarking.
2. Standard Mark: Indicates the purity of the metal.
3. Assay Office Mark: Shows which assay office tested and marked the item.
4. Date Letter: Represents the year the item was hallmarked, using a specific letter for each year.

Where Items Can Be Hallmarked

In the UK, items can be hallmarked at one of the four main assay offices:

1. London Assay Office
2. Birmingham Assay Office
3. Edinburgh Assay Office
4. Sheffield Assay Office

Each of these offices has its unique mark, which is part of the hallmark.

Bullion Hallmarks

Bullion bars and coins are also hallmarked to verify their purity. These hallmarks include:

1. Refiner’s Mark: Identifies the refiner or producer of the bullion.
2. Purity Mark: Indicates the metal content (e.g., 999.9 for gold, 999 for silver).
3. Weight Mark: Shows the weight of the bullion in troy ounces or grams.

How to Spot Fake Hallmarks

Fake hallmarks can deceive buyers into purchasing counterfeit or substandard precious metal items. Here are some tips to spot fake hallmarks:

1. Check for Completeness: A genuine hallmark should include all necessary components: sponsor’s mark, standard mark, assay office mark, and date letter.
2. Examine the Quality: Genuine hallmarks are finely detailed and well-struck. Blurry or poorly defined marks can indicate a fake.
3. Use a Magnifying Glass: Inspect the hallmark closely with a magnifying glass to ensure it matches the standard for genuine hallmarks.
4. Verify with an Assay Office: If in doubt, you can verify the hallmark with the corresponding assay office.

Where to Buy Real Hallmarked Jewellery

For authentic hallmarked jewellery, SMP Bullion & Diamonds is your trusted source. We offer a wide range of genuine hallmarked jewellery for both men and women. Explore our collection:

• Jewellery Enquiry Page
• Gents Jewellery Page

For more information or to make a purchase, visit us at:

SMP Bullion & Diamonds
41 Northampton Street
Hockley
Birmingham
B18 6DU Contact us at 0121 236 9844 or email us at sales@smpbullionanddiamonds.co.uk. Ensure your jewellery is authentic and hallmarked with SMP Bullion & Diamonds.