Jewellery Hallmarking

When you invest in a piece of fine or demi-fine jewellery, it’s important to be confident you’re getting exactly what you expect. That’s where hallmarking comes in.

A hallmark is an official stamp or mark applied to precious metal pieces. A hallmark shows that a piece has been independently tested and verified, and also tells you the type and purity of the metal.

Hallmarking is a legal requirement for solid gold and sterling silver pieces over a certain weight. At Carrie Elizabeth, we consider hallmarking a non-negotiable part of our commitment to creating jewellery you can trust.

Your hallmark is a guarantee of quality and authenticity, allowing you confidence in the pieces you choose, gift and wear every day.

What do jewellery hallmarks mean?

Hallmarks show the purity, or fineness, of a precious metal. Sterling silver pieces over 7.78 grams in weight and gold pieces over 1 gram in weight must legally be hallmarked. Below these weights, a maker or fineness stamp will suffice.

Sterling silver is stamped with 925, meaning it is made from 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. Gold vermeil jewellery also carries a 925 stamp because it has a sterling silver base beneath its thick layer of gold plating.

Solid 9k gold is stamped 375, meaning it is made from 37.5% pure gold. Solid 14k gold is stamped 585, meaning it is made from 58.5% pure gold. The remaining metals in the alloy, such as silver, copper and zinc, give solid gold the strength and durability needed for wear - you can read all about our metals here.

Why hallmarking matters

Hallmarking protects you as a customer, proving that the precious metal in your jewellery has been checked by an independent Assay Office and is exactly as described when you bought it.

A legal hallmark has three parts - a Maker’s Mark, which identifies where the piece has come from (that’s us!), a Standard Mark indicating the metal’s purity, and then an Assay Office Mark, which shows which of the UK’s four assay offices your piece was tested at.

All our jewellery is submitted and stamped in line with UK hallmarking law. So whether you are choosing sterling silver, gold vermeil or solid gold jewellery, hallmarking gives you extra reassurance that your Carrie Elizabeth piece is made with the care and quality we promise!