In this day and age when so many of our products are mass produced in the far east it is good to know that we can still make high quality luxury goods in the country of origin. In the UK sterling silver is still produced in the traditional way and stamped with a hallmark to prove its origin and silver content.

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Hallmarks were introduced in the late 18th century as a dual benefit to guarantee that the manufacturer is producing real sterling silver on each and every piece and to protect the purchaser.

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Sterling silver, sometimes called solid silver, must have a precious metal content of 925 parts in 1000 and be independently and formally assessed as so. Every piece of sterling silver in stamped with an independent hallmark.

How to read a sterling silver hallmark

Each hallmark consist of 4 marks or symbols:-

Makers mark - each manufacturer has a unique mark. For example the mark for Broadway Silversmiths is B&Co.

The Standard mark - indicated that the silver is at least 925 parts in 1000 and is represented by an anchor.

The Assay Office mark - each item is tested and stamped with the hallmark at independent government run offices in Birmingham, London, Sheffield and Edinburgh. The Birmingham mark is a lion.

The Date mark - a single letter indicates the year (since the year 1773) in which the product was hallmarked. Obviously since we have a maximum of 26 letters the form of it changes - capitals, small letters and different fonts.

Ensure that if you purchase any UK sterling silver quality tableware or gift that it has this information present.

Sterling Silver Hallmarks - Why?

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