what is a hallmark & why does it matter?

If you’ve ever looked closely at a gold or silver ring, you might have noticed tiny little symbols stamped inside. Those are hallmarks — and they’re more important than most people realise.

In the UK, hallmarking is a legal requirement for precious metals over a certain weight. It’s there to protect you as a customer and make sure you’re getting exactly what you’ve paid for.

A proper hallmark tells you:

• The type of metal (gold, silver, platinum, etc)

• The purity (for example 18ct gold)

• The assay office that tested it

• The year it was hallmarked

Before any piece leaves my workshop, it’s sent off to be independently tested at an official assay office. They check the metal and confirm that it meets the legal standard.

Only then is it stamped with its hallmark. This means when you buy a piece from me, you know it’s genuine, properly tested, and made to last.

It’s one of those behind-the-scenes steps you might never notice but it’s part of what makes handmade jewellery trustworthy and ethical.

If you ever have questions about hallmarks on your jewellery, I’m always happy to explain 💛