What are jewellery hallmarks?

Jewellery hallmarks are symbols or markings stamped onto a piece of jewellery that indicate important information about the item, such as the metal content, manufacturer, or country of origin. Hallmarks have been used on jewellery for centuries and are an important tool for buyers and collectors to identify and authenticate pieces.

In many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and many European countries, there are laws and regulations that require jewellery to be hallmarked before it can be sold. The hallmarks may include letters, numbers, or symbols that provide information about the metal content, quality, and origin of the jewellery. For example, a gold hallmark might indicate the carat weight of the gold (such as 14K or 18K), while a silver hallmark might indicate the purity of the silver (such as .925 or .999).

In addition to indicating the metal content, some hallmarks may provide information about the maker or designer of the jewellery. These marks can be useful for collectors and buyers who are interested in the history and provenance of a particular piece.

In general, jewellery hallmarks are an important tool for buyers and collectors to ensure that they are getting high-quality, authentic pieces. If you are interested in buying or collecting jewellery, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the hallmarks that are commonly used in your area and to look for them when purchasing items.