Hallmarking

All of my items are made with recycled solid 925 sterling silver

 

Any sterling silver over 7.78g must by law be hallmarked. I am registered with the Birmingham assay office and my jewellery over this weight will have been sent there to be tested and hallmarked with an anchor.. the Birmingham assay office mark, my makers mark and the year mark.

My items that are smaller than 7.78g in weight are not hallmarked but are made with the same 925 sterling silver.

 

Some of my spoon rings and repurposed antique silver pendants still bear their original makers hallmark. It provides a fascinating insight into the original jeweller/ silversmith who created the piece, where they had it ‘assayed’ and the year that it was made.. this allows me to date the original spoon, napkin ring, or cigarette case very accurately.. telling a little of it’s history.

 

English, Scottish and Irish silver produced in the last 500 years is stamped with either four or five symbols. The lion passant to show that it meets the purity standard of 925 silver, the assay office mark, the makers mark and the date letter.

 

French hallmarking is a little different. The vast majority of silver found in France today was made after 1838.. it bears two marks, the silver ‘guarantee’ mark of the head of Minerva or a boars head and the makers mark.