Have you ever taken a good look at your gold ring or neckpiece and seen small marks imprinted on it? These small marks have a big story to tell about your jewellery. A hallmark certificate on gold jewellery is akin to an ID card for your gold items. It indicates the purity or metal content of the metal and who actually produced it.
Without these stamps, you won't know for certain what you're actually wearing. Therefore, this guide will help you understand what exactly these stamps refer to and why they help protect you when acquiring gold jewellery.
Without these stamps, you won't know for certain what you're actually wearing. Therefore, this guide will help you understand what exactly these stamps refer to and why they help protect you when acquiring gold jewellery.
[1] What is a Hallmark Certificate on Gold Jewellery
A hallmark is a group of small stamps pressed into gold jewellery. They serve as evidence that your jewellery was tested and is of good quality. The hallmark certificate on gold jewellery indicates significant information about your item. It informs you about the metal used, how pure it is, who created it, and where it was inspected.
A hallmark is a guarantee that what you're purchasing is genuine. You can expect three to five minor marks that combine to form the entire hallmark in most gold items. These stamps tend to occur in areas which won't be seen much when in use, such as on the inside of the ring band or the back of a pendant.
[2] Making Sense of Metal's Purity with Hallmarks
In accordance with the UK hallmarking law, it indicates the purity of the metal through figures in the hallmark. In gold, you'll frequently notice stamps such as 375, 585, 750, or 916. They inform you about the amount of pure gold present in your jewellery:
- 375 signifies 9 karat gold (37.5% pure gold)
- 585 signifies 14 karat gold (58.5% pure gold)
- 750 signifies 18 karat gold (75% pure gold)
- 916 signifies 22 karat gold (91.6% pure gold)
Plain gold (24 karat) is too weak for regular jewellery. This is why gold is combined with other metals to strengthen it. The hallmark tells you precisely how much gold you have in your item. Numbers go up with higher proportions of gold and generally a bigger price tag. If you understand the purity of metal, then you can better decide whether the cost is reasonable for what you're obtaining.
Keep Reading: How To Choose The Right Karat Gold For Your Jewellery?
[3] Which Metals Are Hallmarked?
Knowing what metals are hallmarked is quite important. This is because not only is gold hallmarked. Some other precious metals can also attain these marks of quality:
- Gold (stamped with numbers indicating purity)
- Silver (frequently stamped as 925 for sterling silver)
- Platinum (commonly stamped as 950)
- Palladium (stamped with figures such as 500 or 950)
Every metal also has its own mark shape. Gold tends to have an oval mark, silver has a specific shape, and platinum also has its own mark. These variations make it easier for experts to know instantly what metal they're examining. In the UK, any item being sold as a precious metal that's over the legal weight has to have these marks on it. This regulation prevents imitation jewellery from being sold as real.
[4] How to Know the Hallmarked Jewellery
It is simple to check for hallmarks once you know what to look for. This is because understanding why buy and how to know the hallmarked jewellery can make a world of difference. So, here's how to identify them:
- Look for small marks stamped on less conspicuous areas
- Use a magnifying glass to observe small details
- Look for the Assay Office mark (such as a leopard head for London)
- Look for the purity number (375, 585, 750, etc.)
- Locate the maker's mark (who created the piece)
- Look for a date letter (indicates the year it was marked)
Most authentic gold jewellery will bear these marks. If you cannot see any marks, beware. Request the seller to show them to you. Genuine shops will always assist you in finding and interpreting the hallmarks of their jewellery.
To summarise
A hallmark certificate on gold jewellery is your best defence when purchasing valuable items. They speak the honest truth about what you're wearing and provide you with confidence in your purchase. This law has looked after consumers for more than 700 years. So, before you purchase your next gold item, spend a moment to look for these valuable marks. A proper hallmark ensures your jewellery isn't only stunning – it's actually worth it too.
FAQs
[1] Can I purchase gold without a hallmark?
Though you can obtain non-hallmarked gold, it's not a good idea. Without formal testing, you cannot be certain that it is genuine. UK legislation demands hallmarking all gold goods over a particular weight to prevent deception of customers.
[2] How do I read hallmarks without a magnifying glass?
Bring your jewellery into good lighting and search for small stamps. If you cannot view them clearly, free hallmark checks are usually provided by most jewellers. Phone cameras also have zoom capabilities to assist in detecting these small marks.
[3] Does hallmarking raise the price of jewellery?
Yes, a bit. The testing process comes with a minimal fee to the end price. But the fee guarantees you are receiving authentic gold of the given purity, and it is well worth the extra cost for security.