Hallmarking Information
When purchasing jewellery, it is essential to feel confident in the authenticity and quality of your chosen piece.
To assist you, we have created this hallmarking guide to help explain UK hallmarking requirements, precious metal standards and the hallmark symbols used on jewellery items containing gold, silver, platinum and palladium.
Created Brilliance Ltd fully supports the British hallmarking system and is committed to ensuring our jewellery complies with applicable UK hallmarking legislation.
What Is a Hallmark?
Gold, silver, platinum and palladium are rarely used in their purest form within jewellery, as these metals are naturally soft. Instead, they are alloyed with other metals to improve strength, durability and wearability.
A hallmark is an official series of marks applied to precious metal items to certify their purity and confirm they meet legal standards.
Hallmarking provides assurance of authenticity and metal fineness and has formed part of the UK jewellery industry for centuries.
In the United Kingdom, it is illegal to describe or sell an item as gold, silver, platinum or palladium unless it is hallmarked, unless the item falls below the legal weight exemption thresholds.
UK Hallmarking Weight Exemptions
Certain items below the following weights are exempt from mandatory hallmarking requirements:
- Gold: under 1 gram
- Silver: under 7.78 grams
- Platinum: under 0.5 grams
- Palladium: under 1 gram
Where legally required, Created Brilliance jewellery is hallmarked in accordance with UK hallmarking legislation.
Understanding Hallmarks
A UK hallmark typically consists of three compulsory marks:
- the sponsor’s mark
- the metal fineness mark
- the Assay Office mark
These marks are usually located on the inside or underside of a jewellery item and may require magnification to view clearly.
Created Brilliance Sponsor’s Mark
Created Brilliance Ltd is registered with the Birmingham Assay Office.
Our registered sponsor’s mark identifies Created Brilliance as the company responsible for placing the jewellery item on the UK market.
Precious Metal Fineness Marks
Fineness marks confirm the purity of the precious metal contained within the jewellery item.
Examples include:
- 375 = 9ct Gold
- 585 = 14ct Gold
- 750 = 18ct Gold
- 925 = Sterling Silver
- 950 = Platinum
- 950 = Palladium
These numbers represent the amount of precious metal contained within the alloy, expressed in parts per thousand.
UK Assay Offices
Hallmarking within the United Kingdom is carried out by four official Assay Offices:
- Birmingham
- London
- Sheffield
- Edinburgh
Each Assay Office has its own identifying symbol within the hallmark.
These independent institutions are responsible for testing and hallmarking precious metal items in accordance with UK law.
Additional Hallmark Symbols
In addition to the compulsory marks, jewellery items may also contain optional symbols including:
Traditional Marks
Traditional marks are symbols representing specific precious metals.
Date Letters
Date letters indicate the year in which an item was hallmarked.
Commemorative Marks
Occasionally, commemorative marks are introduced to celebrate significant national events.
The Dealers Notice
Under the Hallmarking Act 1973, all UK jewellery retailers selling precious metal jewellery are legally required to display an official Dealers Notice approved by the British Hallmarking Council.
The Dealers Notice explains approved hallmark symbols and helps consumers better understand hallmarking standards within the United Kingdom.
Our Commitment
Created Brilliance Ltd is committed to:
- complying with UK hallmarking legislation
- accurately describing precious metal products
- working with recognised UK Assay Offices
- maintaining product transparency and authenticity standards
We aim to ensure our customers can purchase jewellery with confidence and clarity regarding precious metal content and product authenticity.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding hallmarking or precious metal standards, please contact:
Created Brilliance Ltd
11–14 Kirby Street
London EC1N 8TS
United Kingdom
Last updated: May 2026