Reading a UK gold hallmark, in plain terms
A UK gold hallmark is a set of tiny official stamps certifying purity. The number is the one that matters: 375 means 9ct, 585 is 14ct, 750 is 18ct and 916 is 22ct. It records the metal the item is meant to be. GoldPaid does not rely on the stamp; every item is XRF-tested to confirm the real content.
The short answer
You do not need to understand hallmarks to sell with GoldPaid, every item is tested by XRF spectrometry on arrival, so the offer is based on measured fact, not the stamp. But knowing how to read your own marks helps you understand roughly what you have before you post. If you would rather just ask, send a clear photo on WhatsApp and we will talk you through it.
What the gold numbers mean
UK gold is marked with its millesimal fineness, the parts of pure gold per thousand. That number maps directly onto the carat (ct) system most people know. The higher the number, the more pure gold the item contains, and the more it is worth per gram.
| Carat | Fineness mark | Other stamps you may see | Pure gold content |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9ct | 375 | 9k, 9ct, .375 | 37.5% |
| 14ct | 585 | 14k, .585 | 58.5% |
| 18ct | 750 | 18k, 18ct, .750 | 75.0% |
| 22ct | 916 | 22k, .916 | 91.6% |
| 24ct | 999 | 24k, .999, fine gold | 99.9% |
9ct and 18ct are by far the most common in British jewellery. 14ct is more typical of imported and American pieces. 22ct is common in Indian and Middle Eastern jewellery. 24ct is rarely used for wearable jewellery because it is too soft. It is mostly seen in coins and bars. Whatever the carat, GoldPaid pays for the confirmed gold content; see how we value gold for the exact method.
The three marks that make up a UK hallmark
A full modern UK hallmark has three compulsory parts, usually stamped in a row. Older pieces may also carry optional traditional symbols.
- The sponsor's mark. A set of initials inside a shield, the maker, manufacturer or company that submitted the item for hallmarking. It identifies who is responsible for the piece, not necessarily who designed it.
- The fineness mark. The number in an oval or shield, 375, 585, 750, 916, 999 for gold; 925 for sterling silver; 950 for platinum. This is the purity certification and the part that matters most for value.
- The assay office mark. A small symbol showing which UK assay office tested the item: a leopard's head for London, an anchor for Birmingham, a rose for Sheffield, a castle for Edinburgh.
Optional extras include a date letter (a single letter in a shaped shield showing the year of hallmarking) and traditional fineness symbols, a crown historically used on gold, and a lion passant (a side-on walking lion) used on sterling silver.
Silver and platinum marks
Silver and platinum follow the same millesimal system. The most common UK silver mark by far is 925, sterling silver, usually shown with the lion passant.
| Metal & standard | Fineness mark | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 800 silver | 800 | Common in continental European and Scandinavian pieces |
| Sterling silver | 925 | The UK standard; shown with the lion passant |
| Britannia silver | 958 | A higher silver standard, less common |
| Fine silver | 999 | Near-pure; mostly bullion bars and rounds |
| Platinum | 850 / 900 / 950 / 999 | 950 is the usual jewellery standard |
If your item is stamped EPNS, silver plated, plated or rolled gold, it is not solid precious metal, the precious content is a thin surface layer with little resale value. If you are not sure, send a photo before posting and we will tell you honestly whether it is worth sending.
Where to find the hallmark
The marks are small, often less than a millimetre across, so use good light and a magnifying glass or your phone camera's zoom.
- Rings, on the inside of the band.
- Chains and bracelets, on the clasp, on the small flat tag next to the clasp, or on an end link.
- Earrings, on the post, the butterfly back, or the hook fitting.
- Pendants and lockets, on the bail (the loop the chain passes through) or the back edge.
- Watches, inside the case back, on solid gold or silver cases.
What if there is no hallmark at all?
A missing hallmark does not mean an item is not gold or silver. Plenty of genuine precious-metal items are unmarked:
- Pieces made below the legal hallmarking weight threshold, very light gold items in particular are often exempt.
- Older items made before modern marking, or where the mark has simply worn away.
- Imported jewellery that was never submitted to a UK assay office.
- Repaired or altered items where the original marked section was removed.
This is exactly why GoldPaid tests every item by XRF spectrometry rather than relying on the stamp. XRF reads the actual metal composition. It confirms whether something is gold, what carat it is, and whether it is solid or plated, with no acid, no scratching and no guesswork. You can read more on XRF testing explained.
Why the hallmark is a guide, not the final word
A hallmark is a maker’s declaration of intended purity. The real metal content of a finished, worn piece can differ:
- Solder at clasp joints and ring sizings is often a lower carat than the body of the item.
- Repairs done over the years may have used mixed alloys.
- Replacement parts, a new clasp, a new earring back, may not match the original.
So your offer is never built from the stamp alone. Each item is XRF-assayed to confirm its true purity and weighed on calibrated scales, and your written, itemised offer is built from those measured figures. Sometimes the result is slightly below the hallmark; occasionally it is above. Either way, you are paid for exactly what is there. There is never any obligation to accept, and if you decline, your items are returned free of charge by tracked, insured post, see what happens if I decline the offer.
How GoldPaid uses your hallmark
- Ask first. Tell us what marks you can see, or send a photo on WhatsApp. We will give you a quick indicative figure before anything leaves your hands.
- Request a prepaid Royal Mail label. We send a free Royal Mail Special Delivery label, tracked and signed for. Your parcel is insured up to £2,500 via Royal Mail Special Delivery. No printer? We send a QR code for the Post Office counter.
- Post when you are ready. There is no deadline and no pressure.
- We XRF-assay and weigh each item. The hallmark is checked against the measured purity, so a piece marked 9ct is never paid at an 18ct rate, or the reverse.
- You see the breakdown and decide. Accept and you are paid by bank transfer; decline and everything comes back to you free of charge.
Common hallmarks that are not solid gold
Some marks look reassuring but do not mean solid precious metal. It helps to recognise them before you decide what to post:
- Rolled gold, "RG" or "1/20 12ct". A thin gold layer bonded over a base metal. There is a little gold present, but far less than a solid item.
- Gold plated, "GP", "GEP" or "HGE". An electroplated surface layer measured in microns, with little recoverable value.
- "Gold filled" or "GF". More gold than plating, but still a bonded layer, not solid gold throughout.
- EPNS and "silver plate". Electroplated nickel silver, a plated finish rather than solid sterling.
- "925" on gold-coloured jewellery. This is sterling silver that has been gold-plated, often called vermeil; it is valued as silver.
If a piece carries one of these marks, send a photo on WhatsApp before posting and we will tell you honestly whether it is worth the trip. For the metal-content side of value, see scrap gold value and the gold price today rate table.
From hallmark to a written offer
Once you know roughly what your marks mean, the next step is a figure. The gold & silver calculator turns a weight and carat into an indicative estimate, and the gold price today page shows indicative per-gram rates by carat. Final offers depend on inspection, item weight, purity, hallmarks, stones, non-gold components, condition and the live precious-metal market. To sell, GoldPaid is postal-only: a free tracked label is sent, and Your parcel is insured up to £2,500 via Royal Mail Special Delivery. GoldPaid can confirm the appropriate postal option before you post. The full route is on sell gold by post UK.
Related guides
Once you know what you have, these pages explain the rest of the process: how we value gold, XRF testing explained, postage and insurance, and what happens if I decline the offer. Ready to sell? See sell gold by post UK, sell scrap gold or what we buy.
Common questions
What does 375, 585, 750 or 916 mean on gold jewellery?
Those numbers are the millesimal fineness, the parts of pure gold per thousand. 375 is 9ct (37.5% gold), 585 is 14ct (58.5%), 750 is 18ct (75%), 916 is 22ct (91.6%) and 999 is 24ct (99.9%). The higher the number, the more pure gold the item contains.
Where do I find the hallmark on a ring or chain?
On a ring, look on the inside of the band. On a chain or bracelet, check the clasp, the small tag next to the clasp, or the end links. On earrings, look on the post or the back fitting. The marks are small, so a magnifying glass and good light help. If you cannot find or read a mark, send a photo on WhatsApp and we can often help identify it.
My jewellery has no hallmark, is it still worth anything?
Quite possibly. Many genuine gold items are unmarked: pieces made below the legal hallmarking weight, older or imported items, and jewellery where the mark has worn away. A missing hallmark does not mean an item is not gold. GoldPaid tests every item by XRF spectrometry, which reads the actual metal content regardless of whether a hallmark is present.
What does the lion stamp on silver mean?
The lion passant (a lion walking, shown side-on) is the traditional UK mark for sterling silver, 925 parts pure silver per thousand. You will usually see it alongside the number 925 and an assay office mark. It confirms the item is solid sterling silver rather than silver-plated.
Does the hallmark decide what GoldPaid pays me?
No. The hallmark is a useful starting point, but it is only a maker's declaration of intended purity. Repairs, solder at clasp joints and mixed alloys mean the real metal content can differ. Every item you send is XRF-assayed to confirm its actual purity and weighed on calibrated scales, and your written offer is built from those measured figures, not the stamp.
Does "RG", "GP" or "rolled gold" mean my item is worth nothing?
Those marks mean the item is plated or rolled rather than solid gold, so the gold is a thin surface layer with little recoverable value. It is rarely worth posting on its own. If it is mixed in with solid items, send it anyway; anything not worth buying is simply returned at no cost.
I have a "925" mark on gold-coloured jewellery. Is it gold?
No. 925 is the sterling silver standard. Gold-coloured jewellery stamped 925 is sterling silver with a gold plating, often called vermeil. It is valued as silver, not gold. The silver price today page shows indicative per-gram silver rates.
How do I turn my hallmark into an actual price?
Once you know the carat, the gold & silver calculator gives an indicative figure from a weight and carat, and the gold price today page shows indicative rates. Final offers depend on inspection, item weight, purity, hallmarks, stones, non-gold components, condition and the live precious-metal market.
How do I read a UK gold hallmark?
A UK gold hallmark has four core marks: the sponsor (maker) mark identifying who submitted the item, the fineness number in parts per thousand (375 = 9ct, 585 = 14ct, 750 = 18ct, 916 = 22ct, 999 = 24ct), the standard shape (an oval for gold), and the assay-office mark (leopard's head for London, anchor for Birmingham, Yorkshire rose for Sheffield, three-towered castle for Edinburgh). A date letter is optional from 1999 onwards.