The Gold Standard of Jewellery Authentication

For centuries, hallmarking has been the foundation of trust in precious metals. At Links London, we are proud to continue this legacy by ensuring that our jewellery meets the highest standards of authenticity and quality.

The History of Hallmarking: Over 700 Years of Integrity

Origins of Hallmarking

• Established in 1300 with the first hallmarking statute in England.
• Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office founded in 1478, the UK’s first official assay office.
• Designed to protect consumers from fraud by ensuring metal purity.

Goldsmiths’ Hall: The Historic Home of Hallmarking

• The Goldsmiths’ Hall, located in London, has been the center of hallmarking for centuries.
• It houses one of the oldest Assay Offices in the world, ensuring consistent quality control and certification.
• The iconic leopard’s head has been the symbol of the London Assay Office for over 500 years.

Why Hallmarking Matters

• Guarantees precious metal purity.
• Prevents counterfeiting & fraud.
• Provides transparency & consumer trust.
• Assures that items meet strict legal standards.

Understanding Hallmarks: What They Mean

A hallmark is a legally mandated mark applied to precious metal items—such as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium—certifying their purity and authenticity. This independent verification ensures that the item meets established legal standards and provides traceability regarding its origin and assay office.

A Full UK Hallmark Includes:

1️⃣ Sponsor’s Mark – Identifies the maker or brand (LL hallmark registered with Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office). This unique mark consists of initials within a shield.
2️⃣ Traditional Fineness Symbol (Optional) – Indicates the type of precious metal, such as a lion passant for sterling silver.
3️⃣ Millesimal Fineness Mark – A numerical value representing the purity of the metal, expressed in parts per thousand (e.g., 925 for sterling silver). The surrounding shield’s shape denotes the metal type.
4️⃣ Assay Office Mark – Indicates which assay office tested and hallmarked the item. For London, this is the leopard’s head symbol.
5️⃣ Date Letter Mark (Optional) – Represents the year the item was hallmarked, denoted by a specific letter.

🔎 How to Identify a Hallmark

• Look for all three compulsory marks.
• Use the Assay Office verification service.
• Contact Links London for further details.

At Links London, we ensure that all our jewellery pieces requiring hallmarking are independently tested and hallmarked by the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office in London. This guarantees that our products meet the stringent legal standards of purity and authenticity.

The Hallmarking Process: From Registration to Certification

To legally sell precious metal items in the UK, hallmarking follows a strict process:

Step 1: Registration

• Businesses or jewellers must register with an Assay Office.
• A unique sponsor’s mark is issued, identifying the originator of the piece.

Step 2: Submission

• A hallnote is completed, detailing each item’s specifications.
• Items are securely packaged and grouped by metal type and fineness before being sent to the Assay Office.

Step 3: Assaying (Metal Purity Testing)

• Selected items undergo testing to verify metal purity.
• Methods include:
  • X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry – a non-destructive analysis method.
  • Fire assay – a traditional method for testing gold purity.

Step 4: Marking (Applying the Hallmarks)

• If the item meets purity requirements, hallmarks are applied via:
  • Laser marking – precise and modern.
  • Traditional striking – using punches for deep and permanent marks.
• The hallmark consists of the sponsor’s mark, fineness mark, and Assay Office mark.

Step 5: Return of the Hallmarked Item

• The item is returned to the jeweller or manufacturer with its official hallmarks, certifying its metal purity.
• The hallmark provides traceability back to the Assay Office that performed the testing and marking.
• Once returned, the item is ready for sale, fully compliant with the Hallmarking Act.

📌 Did You Know? Many consumers confuse fineness marks (925, 750, etc.) with full hallmarks. A fineness mark alone is not a legal hallmark!

Hallmarking Requirements: When is a Hallmark Needed?

📜 Under the Hallmarking Act 1973, hallmarking is legally required except for items meeting specific exemptions: ✅ Gold items below 1 gram ✅ Silver items below 7.78 grams ✅ Platinum items below 0.5 grams ✅ Palladium items below 1 gram ✅ Vintage items made before 1950, if not misrepresented as new ✅ Certain industrial & watch case applications

Links London & Hallmarking: Our Commitment to Quality

✔ All new Links London jewellery is hallmarked by an official UK Assay Office where required. ✔ We voluntarily hallmark some lightweight items even if not legally required. ✔ Not all legally exempt items will be hallmarked, but all items will comply with the Hallmarking Act. ✔ Legally exempt items will bear fineness marks for consumer clarity. ✔ Vintage items in The Vault retain their original hallmarks or are legally exempt. ✔ Educating customers about hallmarking vs. fineness marks to prevent misinformation.

Dealer’s Notice: Know Your Hallmarks

📜 As per UK hallmarking regulations, we display the official Dealer’s Notice, explaining hallmark types & their significance. View it [here] (insert link to Dealer’s Notice PDF).

📂 Download the Hallmarking Act 1973 [here] (insert link to official Hallmarking Act document).

Learn More About Hallmarking

🔗 Visit the British Hallmarking Council at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/british-hallmarking-council.

At Links London, our hallmark isn’t just a stamp—it’s a symbol of trust, quality, and 700+ years of legacy.

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