Hallmarking

Hallmarking at Hamilton & Inches

When it comes to manufacturing jewellery and silverware, precious metals (silver, palladium, gold and platinum) are rarely used in their purest form. Instead, they are usually alloyed with lesser metals to achieve the desired strength, durability, and colour.

It is not possible to detect the precious metal content of an item by sight or by touch. It is, therefore, a legal requirement to have items consisting of silver, palladium, gold or platinum independently tested and hallmarked before they can be described and sold as such. Items must bear a hallmark at point of sale, subject to the following weight exemptions:

Silver: mandatory for items above 7.78 grams;

Gold: mandatory for items above 1 gram;

Palladium: mandatory for items above 1 gram;

Platinum: mandatory for items above 0.5 grams.

To find out more about hallmarking, visit the Edinburgh Assay Office click below.