A handy guide showing some of the markings associated with UK hallmarks. From the Assay Office symbols, through to the Sponsor's Mark and optional Date Mark, a handy and user friendly guide which takes you through some of the typical hallmarking symbols in use in the UK.

1. Hallmark Guide for Gold
& Precious Metals
Click to continue

2. Assay Offices
UK Assay Offices & Symbols

3. The Assay Offices of Great Britain
London Birmingham Sheffield Edinburgh

4. Metal Types
Optional fineness marks appearing
within hallmarks

5. Precious Metal Fineness Symbols
Sterling Silver + (Scotland) Britannia Silver Palladium Gold Platinum

6. Convention Marks
Silver Palladium Gold Platinum

7. Convention Hallmark Example
Sponsor Control Mark Fineness Assay Office

8. Date Mark (Also Optional)
Examples here for 2008 onwards

9. Date Mark (Optional)
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

10. Fineness (Purity)
Figure in black represents typical purity
used in UK
Eg. Gold 375 = 37.5% Gold content
Silver 800, 925, 999
Gold 375, 585, 750, 916, 990, 999
Palladium 500, 950, 999
Platinum 850, 900, 950, 999

11. The Hallmark
What does a hallmark look like?

12. 3 Compulsory Symbols
Must be included within the hallmark

13. Compulsory Symbols
Sponsor Purity (Fineness) Assay Office

14. Sponsor Mark
Usually the company requesting the hallmark
Abbreviations within a shield shape
No two marks are the same

15. Purity Symbols for Precious Metals
Silver Palladium Gold Platinum
Sponsor Purity Assay Office

16. Assay Offices Marks
London Birmingham Sheffield Edinburgh

17. Further Information
British Hallmarking Council
www.bis.gov.uk/britishhallmarkingcouncil