Our Hallmark
The Stephen Foster Hallmark
At Stephen Foster, we believe every piece of fine jewellery should carry a mark of authenticity and assurance. Our hallmark is a small but significant detail that tells you more about the piece you are wearing, from the precious metal it is made from to its purity and where it was independently tested.
Hallmarking has been an important part of the British jewellery trade since the 1300s, helping to protect customers and maintain confidence in precious metal jewellery.
Maker’s mark
Maker’s mark
The maker’s or sponsor’s mark identifies the person or company responsible for submitting a piece for hallmarking.
Traditional metal mark
Traditional metal mark
The crown is the traditional symbol for gold.
Fineness
Fineness
750 identifies 18 carat gold, containing 750 parts gold per thousand.
Assay Office
Assay Office
The leopard’s head identifies the London Assay Office.
Date letter
Date letter
The date letter identifies the year a piece was hallmarked.
Created in the UK
Created in the UK
The Created in the UK mark identifies jewellery made in the United Kingdom.
What Is a Hallmark
A hallmark is a series of marks applied to jewellery and other items made from precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum and palladium.
In the UK, hallmarking provides independent assurance that a piece has been tested and meets the legal standards for precious metal purity, also known as fineness.
A hallmark may be applied by stamping or, where appropriate, by laser. You will usually find it discreetly inside a ring or on another area of a piece of jewellery.
What a Hallmark Tells You
A UK hallmark can tell you several important things about your jewellery, including:
Who made or sponsored the piece
Identified by the maker's or sponsor's mark.
What precious metal it contains
Such as gold, silver, platinum or palladium.
Its purity
Shown by the fineness mark. For example, 9 carat gold is marked 375, 18 carat gold is marked 750, and platinum is marked 950.
Where it was tested and hallmarked
Identified by the relevant Assay Office mark.
When it was hallmarked
Where a date letter has been included.
Together, these marks provide reassurance that the precious metal content of your jewellery has been independently tested.
How a Hallmark Appears
A standard UK hallmark is traditionally arranged horizontally, with minimal spacing between the individual symbols. Depending on the size, design and construction of the jewellery, however, the way a hallmark is applied may vary.
On smaller or more intricate pieces, laser hallmarking can provide a precise and discreet alternative to traditional stamping.
Discover More About Hallmarking
Hallmarking has a fascinating history and there is much more to discover about the marks found on your jewellery.
For further information and a more in depth guide to UK hallmarks and hallmarking, we invite you to visit the London Assay Office.
Learn more at the London Assay Office