Hallmarking
The Oldest Form of Consumer Protection - A Brief History In an age where consumer protection and rights are a key concern for most present-day manufacturers it is fascinating to note that the hallmark is, in fact, one of the oldest forms of consumer protection that exists. The history of the hallmark dates back as far as 1300...
UK Hallmarks
The sponsor's mark, fineness mark and the assay office mark are compulsory marks. The crown on gold, the lion passant for 925 silver, the Britannia mark for 958 silver and the orb for 950 platinum and the date letter in all cases are voluntary additional marks....
Hallmarking - Getting Started
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To sell precious metals legally in the UK, any articles over the exemption weight must bear a hallmark. This can be done by submitting them to an Assay Office, the process is outlined below.
Lasermarking
Laser marking at Sheffield Assay Office is an area of ongoing development which has opened up some interesting and innovative applications for this process.Laser marking is widely used for marking traditional, standard hallmarks onto precious metal but it also an ideal process for clearly and accurately marking a range of logos, signatures and seri...
Mixed Metal Marking
Changes to the Hallmarking legislation which came into force on April 6th 2007 have created new opportunities for the Jewellery industry and offer consumers more accurate descriptions of the items they are purchasing. Historically, the Hallmarking Act has prevented the Assay Offices from hallmarking items made of a mixture of precious and base met...
Control Marks
The sponsor's mark, fineness mark and the assay office mark are compulsory marks. The crown on gold, the lion passant for 925 silver, and the orb for 950 platinum and the date letter in all cases are voluntary additional marks....
Convention Marks
The Convention on the Marking of Articles of Precious Metal is an international treaty between states which is designed to ensure safeguards for the cross border trade in precious metal. Signed in Vienna in November 1972, it entered into force in1975 and is designed to provide a recognised alternative to the traditional UK Hallmarks. The United Ki...
Daily Collection
Sheffield Assay Office offers a daily collection service for hallmarking from Birmingham, London, Leicester and Manchester. Designed to make life easier for you, our service combines fair rates with fast turnaround. Our couriers visit all the above cities daily. Why not give us a try us and benefit from the difference? If you are a new customer ...
Private Assays
Bought a piece of jewellery, and unsure what it's made of? Found an old piece of silver amongst the family heirlooms, but don't know what it is? Or even if it's silver, or electroplate? We can tell you. Contact us and benefit from our knowledge and experience. Our registers of maker's marks (now called sponsor's marks) go back to 1773. If you have...
Hallmarking Act 1973
DEALERS TO EXHIBIT NOTICES AS TO HALLMARKS 1. Legal Requirement Section 11 of the Hallmarking Act 1973 requires:Dealers to exhibit notices as to hallmarks. (1) Any dealer shall keep exhibited at all times, in a conspicuous position in a part of his premises to which those with whom he deals are commonly admitted, a notice in terms approved and i...
Hallmarking Charges
The following charges are payable for gold, silver, platinum and palladium articles brought or sent to the Sheffield Assay Office for assay and hallmarking. Platinum / Gold / Palladium Bracelets, Chains & Necklets Under 5gOver 5gOver 20g 65p75p1.05p Earrings Each 46p Rings Each 58p Other Articles Under 20g 60p ...
Authorisation for Change of Use
Upcycling isn’t just the practice of transforming old materials into useable objects, it is the process of breathing a new lease of life into well used and loved items to give them a new story and personality. All this while at the same time creating something that is useful, functional and beautiful. For jewellery, this can mean remodelling an ol...