A hallmark is credible proof of the quality and purity of a gold item as it ensures that the metals used to make that item conforms to international and national standards of purity and fineness.
Hallmarking is one of the most important aspects of jewellery making and purchasing. It separates legitimate jewellery made using genuine materials from counterfeits and lower quality items.
In many instances, Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium are alloyed (mixed) with lesser metals in order to achieve a certain strength, durability and colour. Because of this, there needs to be some kind of regulation which establishes whether a metal has been tested/confirmed for the specific metal.
This is the job of Assay Assured.
‘Assay Assured and the Assay Assured Jewellery Retailers trustmark were launched in 2012 as means of allowing quality online jewellery retailers to promote their good practice. The scheme's primary purpose is to protect online jewellery shoppers from counterfeit and fake jewellery.’
Once a piece of jewellery has been tested and certified it is permanently hallmarked (stamped) which confirms the precious metal content.
Stamps to look out for are:
The main exemptions:
The exemption weight is based on the precious metal content. Except in the case of articles consisting of precious metal and base metal in which case the exemption weight is based on the total metal weight:
Gold 1 gram
Palladium 1 gram
Silver 7.78 grams
Platinum 0.5 grams
Any items that were made before 1950 may now be described and sold as precious metal without a hallmark.
However the seller must be able to prove that it is of minimum fineness and was manufactured before 1950.
If you would like read more about the precious metals that we use in our jewellery, visit here.
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