Minimum Legal Hallmark

Since 1999, a minimum hallmark comprises:



(i) A sponsor's mark (see Getting Something Hallmarked: Sponsor's Mark)

(ii) A millesimal fineness mark. This is the number of parts per thousand of pure metal in the alloy. The current finenesses allowed in the UK are shown here.

	Current Finenesses

(iii) An assay office mark

	The UK Assay Offices

Normal UK marks provided by Assay Office London

	The normal UK mark provided by Assay Office London includes a traditional fineness mark and date letter in addition to the compulsary marks.

	Traditional Fineness Marks and date letter in addition to the compulsory marks

Convention Marks

The United Kingdom has been a signatory to the International Convention on Hallmarks since 1972. This means that UK Assay Offices can strike the Convention Hallmark which will then be recognised by all member countries in the International Convention. Conversely, Convention Hallmarks from other member countries are legally recognised in the UK. Articles bearing the Convention Hallmarks do not have to be re-hallmarked in the UK.

	A full convention mark Sponsor's Mark, Common Control Mark, Fineness Mark, Assay Office Mark

The Assay Office Marks of member countries of the Convention are illustrated below. The shield design around the Assay Office Mark sometimes varies according to whether the article is gold, silver or platinum. The key mark to look for is the Common Control Mark. The three other marks must also be present.

	Assay Office Marks and fineness of countries in the convention

Not all UK finenesses are represented in the convention but many are common and the CCM is often added to a UK hallmark.

Guidelines to European National Hallmarks

Since 1st January 1999, following a ruling of the European Court of Justice, the UK is required to accept (and not re-hallmark) other European national hallmarks which provide an equivalent guarantee to consumers. It is the opinion of the British Hallmarking Council that such hallmarks must contain a Sponsor's or Maker's Mark, a Fineness (Purity) Mark and an Assay Office Mark. For example

	Sponsor's or Maker's Mark, a Fineness (Purity) Mark and an Assay Office Mark.

The complete Hallmark must guarantee that the purity of the metal is at least that indicated by the Fineness Number.

Some European national Hallmarks incorporate the Fineness (Purity) Mark in the Assay Office Mark. For example:

	Fineness (Purity) Mark in the Assay Office Mark.

Using these criteria the national hallmarks of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Switzerland, without the Common Control Mark, are acceptable in the UK.

Note: This information is advisory only, and is based on information available on 30 September 2004. It is subject to change.

Some European hallmarking countries are not members of the International Convention.

Spain has a dual system of Assay Office hallmarking and licenced manufacturers' marking. The only Spanish hallmarks which conform to the British Hallmarking Council criteria are:

	Spanish Hallmarks

In the opinion of the British Hallmarking Council, the national law of Belgium does not presently provide an equivalent guarantee. Some European hallmarking countries are in the process of amending national laws, in the light of the European Court of Justice ruling. Consequently, the list of acceptable Assay Office Marks is likely to be extended.

Italy, Germany, Greece and Luxembourg do not have independent systems of guarantee. Articles from these countries must be hallmarked in the UK or Convention hallmarked in one of the Convention countries.

National hallmarks of countries outside the European Economic Area are not legal in the UK. Articles from these countries must be hallmarked in the UK or Convention hallmarked in one of the Convention countries.