Hallmarking

Dealer's Notice — text version

In the UK it is illegal to sell or describe any item as Gold, Silver, Platinum or Palladium unless it is hallmarked*

A hallmark applied by a UK Assay Office is not proof of origin or place of manufacture of an item.

The hallmark of a UK Assay Office (whether applied by a UK Assay Office in its approved locations in or outside the UK) is proof that an item (in all its parts) is of the standard of fineness indicated by the hallmark struck on that item.

Hallmarks applied by UK Assay Offices at their approved locations within the UK are clearly differentiated from those applied by UK Assay Offices in their approved locations outside of the UK (as detailed in the table below).

Compulsory marks

The hallmark comprises three compulsory marks: a sponsor's mark, a fineness mark and an assay office mark.

• Sponsor's Mark — the registered mark of the article for hallmarking.
• Fineness Mark — tells you the precious metal content, expressed in parts per thousand.
• Assay Office Mark — tells you which Assay Office tested and hallmarked the article.

Assay Office Mark. Marks applied in the UK: London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh. Marks applied outside of the UK: Birmingham.

Optional marks

You may also see optional marks such as the traditional fineness symbol or the date letter for the year the item was hallmarked, or a convention mark.

• Traditional Fineness Symbols — Sterling Silver, Sterling Silver Scotland, Britannia Silver, Palladium, Gold, Platinum.
• Date Letter — A 2025, B 2026, C 2027, D 2028, E 2029, F 2030, G 2031, H 2032, I 2033, K 2034.
• Common Control Marks (CCM) — this mark is used and recognised by countries, including the UK, that are signatories to the International Convention on Hallmarking. Type 1: CCM fineness marks for Silver, Palladium, Gold and Platinum. Type 2 CCM.