The 925/1000 (sterling) silver fineness is certified in London and other British Assay Offices by the use of the “lion passant” mark. For a short period (1696-1720) the standard was elevated to 958.4/1000 and the “Britannia” mark replaced the “lion passant”.
How do I read silver hallmarks UK?
There are five standard marks used in British and Irish silver:
- A walking lion marks all sterling silver made in England.
- A standing lion marks all sterling silver made in Glasgow.
- A thistle marks all sterling silver made in Edinburgh.
- A crowned harp marks all silver made in Dublin.
Does all silver have a hallmark UK?
There are very strict legal requirements that must be adhered to when retailing jewellery in the UK. UK law requires any sterling silver product over 7.78 grams in weight to be hallmarked by one of the four UK independent Assay Offices. A hallmark is not be to confused with a manufacturers ‘925’ stamp.
What is the hallmark stamp for silver?
Silver Hallmarks: Standard Mark
Here’s where that 925 finally fits in, and you can trust it’s truthful when it’s been stamped by an Assay Office! The number refers to how much of the metal is silver, so 925 means 925/1000 parts (92.5%) of the metal are silver.
What do the hallmarks on silver mean?
Silver hallmarks are one of the most important factors in identifying antique silver jewelry, flatware, and other items. These small stamped symbols on the back or underside of silver items can tell you the purity of the silver, the manufacturer of the piece, and sometimes even the date it was made.
What is the stamp for sterling silver?
The stamp 925 is used to identify genuine sterling silver jewelry, which contains 92.5% silver.
Should all sterling silver be marked UK?
All items (over certain weights) sold in the UK and described as being made from gold, silver, platinum or palladium must have a legally recognised hallmark. The law is set out in the Hallmarking Act 1973 (which has been amended and updated on various occasions).
When did silver hallmarks start UK?
Beginning on 1 December 1784, British law mandated that a duty mark be applied to silver pieces. This showed that the requisite tax had been paid to the Crown. The duty mark was a profile of the head of the current reigning monarch.
Can fake silver be hallmarked?
The 925 stamp or hallmark is overseen by the United States government in order to protect consumers. It is illegal for any plated or fake silver item to be stamped or hallmarked with “sterling” or 925.
Should sterling silver have a hallmark?
There is an exemption to the hallmarking rules whereby any sterling silver items that weigh less than 7.78 grams do not need to be hallmarked. This means that small items such as earrings and some light bracelets do not need to be hallmarked.
What is the difference between sterling silver and hallmarked silver?
Stamps of 999, 99.9, or. 999 on fine silver indicate that the metal content is exactly one thousandth pure silver. The hallmarks for American sterling silver are either 925,. 925, or 92.5.
What Should silver be stamped with?
Silver will often be stampedwith 925, 900, or 800.
Does all silver have a hallmark?
The vast majority of items made from sterling silver contain a quality mark, a stamp placed in a discreet spot that denotes its purity. These marks will say “. 925” or “925” or “S925” or sometimes “Sterling.” Along with the quality mark, a hallmark (the maker’s registered mark) must also be placed on the piece.
Does silver have to be stamped UK?
HALLMARKING FACTS
All items being sold as gold, silver, platinum or palladium in the UK must be hallmarked to confirm that they meet the legal standard. ASSAYING is to determine whether the precious metal content of the alloy meets the required standard.
Why is my silver not marked?
It happens because silver oxidizes when it comes in contact with air. That oxidation is transferred to the cloth when you rub the surface with it. No black mark means the piece is not silver and does not even have a silver plating.
Is 925 Silver British?
In Britain, the most common grade of silver is 925 or ‘sterling silver’, so-called because it is 925 parts per thousand silver, the other 75 parts being other metals. There is another grade of silver for British pieces: Britannia, which is 958 parts per thousand silver and has a different symbol.
When did 925 silver stamp start in UK?
1999
In 1999, a new format of English hallmarking on objects of Sterling Silver was initiated consisting of a maker’s mark, the assay office insignia and a 925 symbol. Optional extra marks are the ‘Lion Passant’, the UK sign of Sterling Silver, and the date letter stamp.
How old is silver marked sterling?
1860 to 1970–especially items made before 1940–are marked sterling or sterling silver. Many vintage marks, but far from all, include the name of the manufacturer. Very rarely are qualifying pieces of American silver from those years marked only 925.
What does C mean on silver hallmarks?
“AA” or “A.A.” UNKNOWN QUALITY. “A” STANDARD QUALITY. “B1” UNKNOWN QUALITY. “B” THIRD QUALITY. “C” FOURTH QUALITY.
How can you tell if something is solid silver or silver plated?
Check the colouring of the item carefully; genuine silver is generally less shiny and colder in tone than silverplate. If you see places where the silver appears to be flaking off or turning green, the item is silver plated. To investigate further, you can try cleaning the item with a soft cloth.
How do you test silver with vinegar?
How To Test Silver Jewelry With Vinegar – Surprising Results
- Make a tiny scratch where it is not visible.
- Pour a tiny drop of vinegar on the scratch. You can use ordinary white vinegar that you already have in your kitchen.
- Observe the piece. If the spot changes color, then this isn’t silver.