Guides
Understanding British Hallmarks
11 March 2026 · 7 min read
Four small marks that can tell you the metal, the town, the year and sometimes the maker.
A British hallmark is a legal guarantee of metal purity, and one of the oldest forms of consumer protection in the world. It is also, for anyone interested in old jewellery, a small piece of documentary evidence.
Look for the sponsor's mark, the standard mark, the assay office mark and the date letter. Together they can place a piece to a year and a town.
Not everything is marked. Small or delicate items were often exempt, and imported pieces follow different conventions. An unmarked ring is not automatically suspect — it simply needs testing rather than reading.
Bring a piece into the shop and we will read the marks with you under the loupe. It is one of the more satisfying parts of the job.
Questions about a piece of your own are always welcome, and we are happy to look at something without any obligation.
