What is a hallmark? Why is it relevant?
A hallmark:
• Is a set of component marks applied to articles of the precious metals gold, silver, platinum or palladium.
• Means that the article has been independently tested.
• Guarantees that it conforms to all legal standards of purity (fineness).
• Guarantees provenance by telling us where the piece was hallmarked, what the article is made from, and who sent the article for hallmarking.
• The standard hallmark formation is horizontal with minimal spacing between the marks.
Please see the image below for more information on compulsory and optional marks:
