Understanding Gold Hallmarks – A Complete Guide
30/03/2023Daniel Fisher
Introduction
Gold hallmarks serve as a critical component in the precious metal industry, ensuring the authenticity and adherence to established purity standards of gold you purchase or sell.
This guide delves into gold hallmarks, exploring their history and significance in the trade of gold bullion, gold jewellery, and other precious metal items in the United Kingdom.
UK Hallmarking History
Hallmarking can be traced back to the 14th century when King Edward I of England passed a statute mandating that all silver items meet a particular purity standard. This legislation marked the beginning of the UK’s longstanding tradition of hallmarking precious metals.
The Goldsmiths’ Company, one of London’s oldest Livery Companies, was granted the authority to enforce this statute, later extended to encompass gold and other precious metals.
The UK Hallmarking Act of 1973 set the current rules for hallmarking, standardising the process and ensuring consistent quality and protection for precious metal buyers and sellers across the United Kingdom.
This act also founded four Assay Offices in London, Birmingham, Sheffield, and Edinburgh, responsible for testing and certifying the purity of gold and other precious metal items.
The assaying office in Newhall Street, Birmingham
Hallmarking's Significance
Hallmarking serves several crucial functions in the precious metal industry, such as:
- Consumer protection: Hallmarks, by confirming the purity of gold and other precious metals, shield buyers from fraud and counterfeit products. This guarantees that consumers can confidently purchase gold items, aware that they are receiving their investment’s true value.
- Fraud prevention: Hallmarks dissuade dishonest sellers from misrepresenting the gold purity of their product. Penalties for selling non-hallmarked or counterfeit items can be harsh, encompassing fines and even imprisonment.
- Trade facilitation: Hallmarking simplifies precious metal trading across borders, as it offers a universally recognized method for verifying metal purity and fineness. This standardisation helps ensure a fair and transparent market for gold and other precious metals in the UK and globally.
Hallmarking Techniques
Gold hallmarking primarily employs two methods – stamped and laser. Familiarising yourself with these methods can help you more easily identify the hallmarks on your gold item.
1. Stamped Hallmarks
As the conventional method of hallmarking, stamping utilises a punch or press to physically stamp the mark into the precious metal item.
This process produces a visible indentation or relief on the gold’s surface, making it simple to identify and read. These are common gold markings that you will find in an array of products, such as gold investment coins.
Pros
- Stamped hallmarks are generally easy to see and read due to the indentation they create.
- Physically imprinted into the metal, they tend to last longer on gold items.
Cons
- Stamping can occasionally cause damage or distortion to delicate or hollow items, such as fine chains or intricate gold filigree designs.
- Stamped hallmarks may wear down or become illegible over time, particularly on items subject to frequent friction, like rings or bracelets.
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2. Laser Engraved Hallmarks
Laser hallmarking is a modern technique that employs a laser to etch the mark without distorting or damaging the item.
This method is particularly advantageous for delicate or intricate gold pieces, where traditional stamping may be overly aggressive.
Pros
- Laser hallmarks avoid damage or distortion to delicate or hollow items.
- They are often more discreet and less susceptible to wear than stamped hallmarks, as they do not create indentations in the metal.
Cons
- Laser hallmarks may be less visible than stamped hallmarks since they are engraved on the gold’s surface without forming an indentation.
- They may need reapplication after resizing or polishing the gold item, as the surface engraving can wear or be removed during these processes
Gold Hallmarking Categories
Mandatory Hallmarks
In the UK, three vital hallmarks must be present on gold and other precious metal items to verify their authenticity and purity:
Mandatory Categories
Sponsor's or Maker's Mark
This unique identifier represents the jeweller, maker, retailer, or wholesaler responsible for the item. The mark typically comprises at least two letters, often the sponsor or maker's initials, enclosed within a shield design.
This mark helps trace the item's origin and holds the responsible party accountable for the item's purity.
Fineness Mark
This mark denotes the gold item's purity, expressed in parts per thousand. For instance, "375" signifies 9 carat gold, "750" for 18 carat gold, and "916" for 22 carat gold. The fineness mark assures buyers of the gold content in the item.
Assay Office Mark
There are four British Assay Offices locations: London, Birmingham, Sheffield, and Edinburgh. Each Assay Office has a distinct symbol that identifies where an item was tested and hallmarked. The symbols are as follows:
- London: A leopard's head
- Birmingham: An anchor
- Sheffield: A rose
- Edinburgh: A castle
Additional Hallmarks
Besides compulsory hallmarks, some items may feature optional marks that provide further information about the item:
Non-Mandatory Marks
Date Letter Mark
Indicates when an item was assayed, with a new date letter stamp created each year. The date letter is typically a lowercase or uppercase letter within a shield, with the shield's shape changing every few years to denote a new cycle of letters.
Date letters can help determine a gold item's age and are useful for collectors or those interested in the history of their piece.
Examples of items where you might find date letter marks include antique jewellery, such as rings, bracelets, and necklaces, as well as vintage gold coins and collectible gold bullion bars.
Traditional Fineness Mark
Represents an additional mark for metal purity, applied as standard at the London Assay Office and optional elsewhere. This mark features traditional symbols, such as a lion passant for sterling silver or a crown for gold.
For gold items, the crown is often followed by a number, such as "18" for 18 carat gold. These marks can be seen on some older items or those with a more traditional design, such as vintage gold watches, heirloom jewellery, and decorative gold items.
Commemorative Marks
Applied to items to commemorate landmark national events, these marks can also help determine a piece's age.
They are optional and often feature a specific design or portrait relevant to the event. For example, the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 featured a special diamond-shaped mark with the number "60" in its centre.
Commemorative marks can be found on various gold products, such as limited edition gold coins, special edition jewellery, and other collectable items created to celebrate significant national events.
Convention Marks
Since 1972, the UK has been a signatory to the International Convention of Hallmarks, which aims to safeguard the trade of precious metals across borders.
The convention established internationally recognized 'control marks' to facilitate the trading of precious metal items between countries. These marks often feature a set of scales and a number representing the metal's fineness, such as "750" for 18 carat gold.
An oval or rectangular frame usually surrounds the scales. Convention marks can be found on a range of gold items traded between countries, including gold bullion, jewellery, and other precious metal products.
A Full UK Hallmark displays 'Maker', 'Traditional Fineness' 'Millesimal Fineness', 'Assay office', and 'Date Letter Mark'
The Most Common Gold Hallmarks In The UK
375 Gold Hallmark (9 karat gold)
The 583 mark signifies that an item is made of 14ct gold, which is more durable than higher gold content items and has a slightly richer gold colour compared to 9ct gold.
In this case, 583 parts out of 1,000 are pure gold, and the other 417 parts are composed of different metals. 14ct gold is a popular choice for engagement rings and other pieces of fine jewellery.
375 Gold Types
Colour
Material Composition
Red
58.33% Gold, 41.67% Copper
Green
58.33% Gold, 41.67% Silver
Yellow
58.33% Gold, 41.67% Copper, Zinc
White
58.33% Gold, 41.67% Palladium
583 Gold Hallmark (14 karat gold)
The 583 mark signifies that an item is made of 14ct gold, which is more durable than higher gold content items and has a slightly richer gold colour compared to 9ct gold.
In this case, 583 parts out of 1,000 are pure gold, and the other 417 parts are composed of different metals. 14ct gold is a popular choice for engagement rings and other pieces of fine jewellery.
583 Gold Types
Colour
Material Composition
Red
58.3% Gold, 33.3% Copper, 8.3% Silver
Green
58.3% Gold, 33.3% Silver, 8.3% Copper
Yellow
58.3% Gold, 33.3% Copper, 8.3% Silver, Zinc
White
58.3% Gold, 25% Palladium, 16.6% Silver
750 Gold Hallmark (18 karat gold)
When an item is marked with 750, it is made of 18ct gold, which is often preferred for its balance of purity and durability, making it ideal for fine jewellery.
This means that 750 parts out of 1,000 are pure gold, while the remaining 250 parts are other metals. 18ct gold is a popular choice for wedding rings, as it is less likely to tarnish or wear over time.
750 Gold Types
Colour
Material Composition
Red
75% Gold, 25% Copper
Green
75% Gold, 25% Silver
Yellow
75% Gold, 25% Copper, Zinc
White
75% Gold, 25% Nickel, Zinc
916 Gold Hallmark (22 karat gold)
The 916 mark indicates that an item is made of 22ct gold, which has a higher gold content and a richer yellow gold colour than when compared to lower gold carat items. A great example of a gold coin featuring this purity is the South African Krugerrand.
In this composition, 916 parts out of 1,000 are pure gold, while the other 84 parts are other metals.
However, 22ct gold is also less durable due to its softness, making it more suitable for investment gold bullion and occasional-wear jewellery, such as heirloom pieces or special occasion accessories.
If you are a gold investor with one of our bars, this is the hallmark you’ll likely find.
916 Gold Types
Colour
Material Composition
Red
91.6% Gold, 8.4% Copper
Green
91.6% Gold, 8.4% Silver
Yellow
91.6% Gold, 8.4% Copper, Zinc
White
91.6% Gold, 5% Palladium, 3.4% Silver
Mintmarks
What is a Mintmark?
A mintmark is a small letter or symbol stamped on a coin, indicating the mint where the coin was produced. These marks are typically found on the obverse (front) or reverse (back) of the coin, often near the date or within the design. Mintmarks help collectors identify the origin of a coin, which can be crucial for determining its rarity and value.
You’ll notice this on older gold sovereign coins for example. If you have a Young Head or Jubilee sovereign, you might notice an “M” for Melbourne, “S” for Sydney or if holding an Old Head sovereign, a “P” for Perth. These markings will usually be followed by a year, but not always and reflected the growing empire of Britain. The most common, non London, mints you’ll find are:
- S = Sydney (1855 – 1926)
- M = Melbourne (1872 – 1931)
- P = Perth (1899 – 1931)
Though you might also find markings such as “I” which is from the Indian mint, “C” for the Canadian mint and SA for the South African mint.
If your sovereigns don’t carry a mint mark, especially more recent ones, there’s no immediate need to worry. Sovereigns minted in London and more recently in Llantrisant, Wales, do not possess a Mintmark at all. This certainly doesn’t mean they’re not authentic.
Examples of mintmarks
Looking To Sell Your Gold Sovereigns?
Why Doesn't My Gold Have A Hallmark
There could be several reasons why you may not be able to find a hallmark on your gold item. This section will discuss some plausible explanations for the absence of a hallmark, helping you understand the possible factors involved.
Age and Wear
Gold items that have been worn frequently or are quite old may have experienced significant wear and tear, causing the hallmarks to become illegible or even disappear entirely.
Rings and bracelets, which are subject to constant friction, are especially prone to this issue.
Homemade or Custom Pieces
Handmade or custom gold items may not have hallmarks, as the creators of these pieces may not have access to the necessary equipment or authority to apply hallmarks.
In such cases, the purity and authenticity of the gold item can be determined through alternative testing methods, such as acid tests, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) testing.
Exemptions from Hallmarking
In the UK, some gold items are exempt from hallmarking due to their low weight.
For example, gold items weighing less than 1 gram are not required to have hallmarks.
Additionally, some specific categories of items, such as medals and coins, are also exempt. If your gold item falls into one of these exempt categories, it may not have a hallmark even if it is genuine. Some gold coins may have some of the hallmarks such as purity (fineness), but not origin Mintmarks. The Gold Sovereigns are a great example of possible confusion whereby many of the globally produced coins possess an origin hallmark but more recent versions do not.
Counterfeit Gold
While this is an unfortunate possibility, some gold items may not have hallmarks because they are counterfeit or fake.
Counterfeit gold items are often made from cheaper materials and plated with a thin layer of gold to give the appearance of real gold.
If you cannot find a hallmark on your gold bullion product or gold jewellery, it’s important to talk with a gold bullion dealer who’ll be able to talk you through all the important aspects of your items – including how much gold it’s likely to contain.
Valuing And Selling Your Hallmarked Gold
To find the value of your gold and sell it, it’s essential to follow the appropriate steps to ensure you receive a fair price.
Using registered bullion dealers gives you the best option to sell your gold coins or bars, especially when we are talking about investment grade gold.
Identify the Purity and Weight of Your Gold
The value of your gold item is primarily determined by its purity and weight. Examine the hallmark on your gold to identify its carat, which indicates its purity.
Next, weigh your gold using a precise scale, preferably one that measures in grams.
Check the Current Gold Price
The value of gold fluctuates daily based on market conditions. Keep track of the current gold price per gram, which can be found on financial news websites or specialised gold trading platforms.
This will give you a general idea of your gold item's value based on its weight and purity, and insight into whether the time is right to sell.
Research Registered Bullion Dealers
A registered bullion dealer is a reputable and trustworthy option for selling your gold, as they are regulated by authorities and typically offer competitive prices.
Conduct thorough research to find a reputable dealer near you, checking for customer reviews and industry affiliations, such as membership in the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) or the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA).
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Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons
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