Where to start
The pages below cover UK hallmarking, non-destructive testing and how a postal valuation is put together. If something here does not answer your question, ask us on WhatsApp.
Hallmarking & Purity Guides
- Gold hallmark guide. What 375, 585, 750, 916 and 999 mean, what 575 and 373 stamps usually are, and foreign gold marks.
- UK Gold Hallmark Database. The six UK gold fineness numbers, the optional crown and the London leopard’s head, Birmingham anchor, Sheffield rose and Edinburgh castle.
- Hallmark lookup. Type the numbers or symbols you can see and read what they mean.
- UK Silver Hallmarks Guide. Lion Passant, Britannia silver (958), sterling (925) and duty marks explained.
- 9ct Gold (375) Guide. 37.5% fine gold, the lowest UK gold hallmarking standard.
- 18ct Gold (750) Guide. 75.0% fine gold.
- 22ct Gold (916) Guide. Sovereigns and 22ct bangles and chains (91.7% fine gold).
- 24ct Gold (999) Guide. Fine gold bars, coins and 24ct jewellery (99.9% fine gold).
Testing Methodology & Process
- XRF testing explained. How X-ray fluorescence reads gold purity without scratching or filing your jewellery, and what it cannot tell you.
- How we value gold. XRF purity, payable weight and the live precious-metal market on the day of testing, with a worked example.
- Postal Safety & Royal Mail Special Delivery. End-to-end tracking, with Royal Mail cover that may be available up to £2,500 depending on the postal method and cover level used.
- Free tracked returns. No-obligation valuation, with free tracked returns if you decline.
Probate, Collectables & Method Notes
- Probate & Inheritance Guide. Selling inherited jewellery, and what executors need to know about probate and Inheritance Tax.
- Collectables Hub. Buying vintage watches, British silver coins, military medals and stamp albums.
- How GoldPaid measures every item. How purity, weight and worn hallmarks are established on every item sent in by post.
Common questions
How does GoldPaid test gold purity without scratching items?
We use non-destructive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. The analyser fires low-energy X-rays at the item, the metal atoms fluoresce, and the instrument reads the element percentages that come back (gold, silver, copper, zinc) with no scratching, filing or acid.
What is the difference between a hallmark and a carat stamp?
A UK hallmark is applied by one of the four UK assay offices (London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh) after testing, and certifies that the metal is at least the standard marked. A bare "375" or "18K" stamp applied by a manufacturer is the maker’s own claim, not a hallmark.
Not the question you had? The full GoldPaid FAQ covers the rest, from postal cover and ID checks to what happens if you decline the offer.
Speak to us before you post
Please send us photos on WhatsApp, and we will help you. We give an instant estimate where possible and arrange postage with you after our conversation. Your final offer follows inspection.