/// HALLMARKING - WHAT WHY HOW WHERE? ///
Many people (me included before I took this up as a job) are unsure of what exactly a hallmark is, and when and why it is used. So buckle up and I’ll help to explain!
Hallmarking is a legal requirement here in the UK, on any silver item weighing over 7.78gms and any gold item weighing over 1gm.
Makers cannot hallmark our own work, we have to register with an Assay Office who will do it for us. There are a few; London is the original, at Goldsmiths call and where the term hallmarking originated, Edinburgh, Sheffield and Birmingham.
Each assay office has its own mark, you can see them here along with some other information.
Each maker has their own sponsors mark, also called makers mark. These are unique meaning your work can be traced back to you for as long as it exists - you'll have seen these on Antiques Roadshow. Mine is my surname in an elipse shape. You can have up to four characters so I was lucky that I could have my surname as one. Better than my initials, SS! You cannot ask for your work to be hallmarked with anyone elses makers mark, you only have access to your own.
A hallmark will consist of your makers mark, the assay office mark, the finesse of the metal - so sterling silver will have 925 and a lion and the year the piece was marked. The link on a previous paragraph will take you through to more information.
Hallmarks are placed onto the piece either by a punch/stamp, or by laser. My preferred method is laser as I can choose the size for each piece I make, when if you have your own stamp you can only have the marks that size. When you create silverware rather than jewellery, you will often want to vary the size of the hallmark depending on the piece you are creating. I personally choose to have mine visible on my designs, as it is such an integral process within silversmithing I like to have it on display.
So what does the hallmark mean? This is the guarantee that you are being sold an item made of the metal it should be. The assay office tests the metal, then stamps the item with the hallmark if it passes. It if doesn’t, it gets disposed of. The assay office is very strict, as you would expect.
If someone is selling any silver items weighing over the 7.78gms and it hasn't been hallmarked, they are breaking the law if they are selling it as silver. Legally they can only claim it as white metal, not silver. I know of makers who have been prosecuted for ignoring this law, so you really do need to pay attention to it!
A common thought is that a 925 on its own is a hallmark. It is not, anyone can stamp that onto any metal. Unless a piece has the hallmark consisting of the makers mark, the assay office, the type of metal and the year, it does not have a legal hallmark. a 925 stamp on its on guarantees nothing, all it means is that someone bought a 925 stamp and used it. Equally, EPSN is sometimes stamped and at first glance can look like a hallmark, although it stands for electroplated silver nickel, so is definitely not!
Here in Norwich we had our own assay office until early 18th century, as was common for large towns and cities. If only it was still here, I would save a fortune on all that insured post not to mention the convenience of popping it into the office instead of sending! Fun fact (most of my fun facts are just facts, not fun) I have a small tattoo of an old Norwich hallmark. Yes, I love them that much!
It costs to get items hallmarked. We pay to be registered at the assay office. We then have to pay per packet we send, and each item we get hallmarked. If you want a larger hallmark than standard on a piece, or if you prefer them in a different style to a straight line, you are charged extra. Most of us silversmiths like a larger hallmark, and often not in a straight line so we end up paying more (yes it is a grumble!). If you would like your pieces to be hallmarked more quickly, you pay extra again. These are all things us makers have to factor into our practice, ensuring we give enough time in each project for the assay office.
I am registered at the London Assay Office - you don’t have to go with the office you are closest to geographically you are free to register with any of the UK offices. I personally prefer London as it was the original, and is steeped in so much history. Receiving pieces back with your own makers mark on, beside the other hallmarks never gets tired.
So that, as briefly as possible, is what a hallmark is. If you have any questions I’m always happy to answer so send me an email HERE
