UK Hallmarking Guide

Hallmarking is a vital process that verifies the authenticity, purity, and quality of precious metals used in Jewellery and other items in the United Kingdom. It ensures that consumers receive genuine products and helps to maintain trust within the industry. This guide provides an overview of UK hallmarking.

  

In line with the UK standards, All of our gold Jewellery that is over 1g will be independently Hallmarked, unless stated otherwise. There are 5 standard hallmarks done at the Assay Office in London to identify Jewellery, they are as follows below.

 

 

 Sponsors Mark

This is a compulsory mark, it is the registered mark of the company that submitted the article for hallmarking. It comprises of the initials chosen by that company - In our case this will be AFJ - inside a surrounding shield shape. The shield shape varies.


  Fineness Symbol

The traditional fineness symbol is an optional part of the hallmark but applied as standard at the Assay Office. In our case, the symbol will be a crown, as shown above, this symbolises that the item is Gold.
 
 
 

  Millesimal Fineness Mark

This is a compulsory mark. This mark tells you how fine the metal is. This numerical format was made compulsory in 1999 and shows the precious metal content of the article, expressed in parts per thousand. The mark 750 will apply to our 18ct gold jewellery which symbolises 18ct. More details on fineness can be found in our Purity Guide.

 

  

  Assay Office Mark

This is a compulsory mark. This mark tells you which Assay Office tested and hallmarked the article. As our new jewellery is marked in London, this will be done in the form of the historic image of the leopard’s head
The leopard's head mark of London has been used by some of the finest craftsmen in history, on some of the most prestigious and celebrated works. 

 

 

  

  Date Letter Mark

This is not a compulsory mark. Letter changes happen annually on January 1st. The font, case, and shield shape all change so each can only indicate one specific year.