In the UK, hallmarking is a legal system that confirms the purity of precious metals. Any item described as silver must be tested and stamped by an official Assay Office if it is above a certain weight.
A full UK hallmark includes the maker’s mark, the metal and fineness mark, such as 925 for sterling silver or 999 for fine silver, the Assay Office symbol, and a date letter. This provides clear reassurance that the metal meets recognised standards.
At Silver Snail Jewellery, I send pieces for hallmarking where required, so you can feel confident in the quality and authenticity of the materials I use.
Below is the 2025 Dealers Notice from the Birmingham Assay Office, where I send my work to.