Published 28 August 2025
How do I read a UK gold hallmark?Look for three small stamps in a row. First, a set of initials in a shield, the sponsor (who submitted it). Second, a number in a shield (375, 585, 750, 916, 999 for gold; 925 for silver), the purity. Third, a small symbol (leopard's head for London, anchor for Birmingham, rose for Sheffield, castle for Edinburgh), the assay office.
The three compulsory marks
- The sponsor's mark, a set of initials in a shield. The maker or company that submitted the item.
- The fineness mark, a number in a shape (oval for gold, oval for silver, with the number inside). 375 = 9ct, 585 = 14ct, 750 = 18ct, 916 = 22ct, 999 = 24ct; 925 = sterling silver; 950 = platinum.
- The assay office mark, the small symbol that says which UK office tested it: a leopard's head for London, an anchor for Birmingham, a rose for Sheffield, a castle for Edinburgh.
Optional marks you may also see
- A date letter, a single letter in a shaped shield, showing the year of hallmarking.
- A crown, historically used on gold (alongside the fineness mark).
- A lion passant, a walking lion side-on, the traditional UK symbol for sterling silver.
Where to look
- Rings: inside the band.
- Chains and bracelets: on or next to the clasp, or on an end link.
- Earrings: on the post or the back fitting.
- Pendants and lockets: on the bail or the back edge.
- Watches: inside the case back, on solid-precious-metal cases.
What if there is no hallmark?
Common, and not the end of the story. Light pieces below the legal hallmarking threshold, older items where the mark has worn, and imported pieces may all be unmarked but still genuine precious metal. The XRF assay reads the metal content directly, so the carat is confirmed regardless of whether a hallmark is present. The full hallmark walkthrough is on the hallmark guide.
Common questions
What is 750 on gold jewellery?
The fineness mark for 18ct gold, 75.0% pure gold.
What does "925" mean on silver?
Sterling silver, 92.5% pure silver, the UK standard.
Where is the hallmark on a ring?
Almost always on the inside of the band. Use good light and a magnifier, the marks are tiny.
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