Hallmarking at Links London
British hallmarking provides independent assurance of precious-metal fineness. It forms an important part of the story told by original Links of London jewellery and will remain central to the future work of Links London.
What a UK Hallmark Establishes
A complete UK hallmark contains three compulsory marks:
- Sponsor’s mark — identifies the person or organisation responsible for submitting the item for hallmarking.
- Millesimal fineness mark — records the precious metal and its minimum standard of fineness, such as 925 for sterling silver.
- Assay Office mark — identifies the independent assay office that tested and marked the item.
Traditional fineness symbols, date letters and commemorative marks may also appear, but they are optional.
A sponsor’s mark should not automatically be interpreted as identifying the designer or manufacturer. Manufacturers, commissioners, retailers, importers and other registered sponsors may submit items made by another party.
When Hallmarking Is Required
An article described and offered for sale as gold, silver, platinum or palladium must normally carry a legally recognised hallmark unless an applicable exemption applies.
The principal weight exemptions are:
- Gold below 1 gram
- Silver below 7.78 grams
- Platinum below 0.5 grams
- Palladium below 1 gram
These limits concern the relevant metal weight under the applicable regulations. Other narrowly defined exemptions also exist under the Hallmarking Act.
A standalone fineness indication such as “925” is not, by itself, a complete UK hallmark.
Original Links of London Hallmarks
Original Links of London pieces can carry different sponsor’s marks, assay-office marks, fineness marks and optional date letters according to their production period and the circumstances in which they were submitted for hallmarking.
The presence or absence of a date letter does not by itself establish whether an item is genuine. Hallmarks should be considered alongside construction, dimensions, weight, finish and known design characteristics.
Because many small silver charms fall below the statutory silver weight threshold, an authentic piece may legally carry only a fineness indication rather than a complete UK hallmark.
The Links London Dealer’s Notice – a legally accurate guide ensuring clarity on hallmarking laws, exemptions, and consumer rights.
For a detailed guide to interpreting these marks, read Understanding British Silver Hallmarks.
The Vault
Pieces entering The Vault are examined individually. Where present, hallmarks and fineness marks are photographed and recorded as part of the object’s identification and condition record.
We do not apply present-day marks to original Links of London jewellery. Original marks remain part of each piece’s history and are documented as found.
Hallmarks are important evidence, but they are not treated as the sole test of authenticity. Read more about our approach in The Vault, Authenticity & Care.
Future Links London Production
Links London has registered its sponsor’s marks with the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office in preparation for future independent production.
When new Links London precious-metal work is introduced, it will be submitted for independent hallmarking where required by UK law. Voluntary hallmarking may also be chosen for legally exempt pieces where appropriate.
Future Links London work will be documented separately from original Links of London production.
Dealer’s Notice
The official Dealer’s Notice explains the approved UK hallmarking symbols, assay-office marks and precious-metal fineness standards.
Hallmarking in the United Kingdom is governed by statute. The Dealer’s Notice is displayed in accordance with legal requirements.
Further statutory information is available in the Hallmarking Act 1973.
