Hallmarking

All of our collection pieces are hallmarked in accordance with the Hallmarking Act 1973. Our business prides itself on the history and importance of the hallmark, which is struck on every item we produce.

 

We are justly proud of our sponsor’s mark registered at both the London and Birmingham Assay offices and love to share the story of our unusual shield shape design. 

The first time a shield shape sponsor’s, or maker’s mark, was registered was in 1868 by George Lambert, who was Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company in 1887. 

His nephew, Herbert Lambert registered his mark 1902 using the same shield shape punch. Herbert also became Prime Warden of the company.

The Hallmarking Act of 1973 laid down a new style of punch shapes to be used for all future sponsors’ marks and the straight top shield was no longer used. 

However, in 2003 when Jonathan applied for a new sponsor’s mark, given the great history attached to former marks registered by George and Herbert, the Goldsmiths’ Company very kindly gave permission for the flat top shield to be used again. 

Hallmark information

A full UK hallmark tells you:

  1. Who submitted the article for hallmarking (sponsor’s mark)
  2. What the final metal is made of (Metal fineness mark)
  3. Where the article was hallmarked (Assay office town mark)
  4. When the article was hallmarked (date letter) is optional

Hallmarking refers to a mark that is applied to four pieces of precious metals (platinum, gold, palladium or silver), which shows that it has been independently tested and verified and therefore conforms to all legal standards of purity or fineness.

The standard hallmark formation is horizontal with minimal spacing between the marks.  Other formations of these hallmarks, often called “bespoke” or “display marks” are available.

Considered to be the oldest form of consumer protection in the UK, hallmarking has a long history.  The practice dates back to 1300 and has gradually progressed to the Hallmarking Act Of 1973 (which has been updated and amended on various occasions) which requires that all items sold in the United Kingdom and described as being made from gold, silver, platinum or palladium must have a legally recognised hallmark.

Hallmarking is an official stamp of quality. There are only four Assay Offices in Britain, located in London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh. Compulsory hallmarking means that the public will always have a guarantee of genuine quality in their jewellery. Likewise, the trade of legitimate jewellers is protected from unlawful competitors who might try to pass off lower quality jewellery as the “real deal”.

Today both modern and traditional assaying methods are used. Assay Office laboratories now test precious metal purity using the latest technologies, including x-ray and laser analysis. However, many objects are still stamped by hand, exactly as they were 700 years ago.

King Charles III Coronation Mark

Historically, commemorative marks have been added to the regular hallmark to signify a special event. To celebrate the coronation of King Charles III a commemorative hallmark has been approved. A new commemorative mark has been designed to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. The King’s Coronation Mark can be requested from 1 March 2023 and will be available until 31 December 2024.

Based on a medal by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS and using artwork supplied by Thomas Fattorini, the mark depicts the King’s head against an oval background. It can be applied to gold, silver, platinum or palladium items, by any of the four UK assay offices.

For more information on the hallmarking process we encourage you to watch this film created by The London Assay Office…

Explore our portfolio

Discover the beautiful pieces designed by our in house designer Yasmin Lambert

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Call us to find out more about this service and arrange a time to come and see us.