British Hallmarks for Jewellery and Precious Metals

Under the UK Hallmarking Act of 1973, all items made of precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, and palladium) above certain weight thresholds must be hallmarked. Without a hallmark, it is illegal to describe or sell the item as a precious metal. Many other European countries require a hallmark too. Our in-house hallmarking facility can apply UK hallmarks and internationally recognised common control marks.

• Gold: Above 1 gram
• Silver: Above 7.78 grams
• Platinum and Palladium: Above 0.5 grams

Items below these weights do not need to be hallmarked.

A hallmark guarantees that the metal used in the item meets the standards for purity and authenticity set by UK law. It prevents consumers from unknowingly purchasing counterfeit or substandard items.

If the precious metal item exceeds the weight threshold and is not hallmarked, it is illegal to sell it as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium in the UK. Non-hallmarked items cannot be advertised or sold. If you have a retail unit and are selling precious metal items, you must display a Section 11 Dealer’s Notice. The Dealer’s Notice can be found here.

Selling non-hallmarked items as precious metals is against the law in the UK. You could face fines or legal action, and your reputation as a jeweller could be damaged.

At Ferrari Express Ltd, sustainability is at the core of our hallmarking process. Traditionally, hallmarking involved transporting items to off-site facilities, leading to longer supply chains and increased carbon emissions. By situating our facility directly at Heathrow Airport—where goods arrive from abroad—we eliminate the need for additional transportation. This not only shortens the supply chain but also reduces our carbon footprint.

Our on-site hallmarking service allows us to process items efficiently, often within the same day, cutting down the time and emissions typically associated with shipping items to and from off-site locations. This streamlined process helps us provide a faster, more eco-friendly service while contributing to a greener future.

We offer real-time integration of our system with Edinburgh Assay Office’s award-winning assay tracking system. Once your items are being processed, you will receive updates at each stage.

Our on-site sub-office hallmarking facility provided by Edinburgh Assay Office uses state-of-the-art technology to ensure consistent high-quality results. The hallmarks are applied using the very latest non-contact laser markers, which prevent damage and produce clean clear marks. Non-contact marking is the perfect solution for finished and delicate items. This combination of technology guarantees both precision and care for your pieces. The use of the latest generation of XRF testing and screening technology, supported by Edinburgh Assay Office’s reference methods fully accredited to ISO17025 by UKAS provides quick and accurate results while minimising contact with the product. This combination of technologies guarantees speed and precision while ensuring products are returned in perfect condition.

If your item doesn’t meet the minimum legal purity standards during testing, it cannot be hallmarked. In this case, Edinburgh Assay Office will provide us with options for addressing the issue.

Through our partners at Edinburgh Assay Office, we can arrange for a custom sponsor’s mark that represents your brand. Contact us for more details on how to register your mark with Edinburgh Assay Office.

If you don’t have a sponsor’s mark or prefer not to register one, we can authorise Edinburgh Assay Office to apply our mark on your behalf ensuring your items are hallmarked and compliant with UK regulations.

Yes, please contact us if you need expedited hallmarking services.

Facility Pricing for our hallmarking services depends on the type and quantity of items you need hallmarked.

To make an enquiry about costs, please contact us directly and we will provide a custom quote on your request. To register to use our Edinburgh Assay Office sub-office hallmarking facility, fill out the contact form on our website with as much information as possible. A member of our team will promptly reach out to discuss any questions and guide you through the process, including registration with Edinburgh Assay Office, our hallmarking partner.

Sustainability is at the core of our decision to partner with Edinburgh Assay Office to provide an on-site sub-office for hallmarking. Hallmarking can involve additional transportation of items between sites which can lead to longer supply chains and increased carbon emissions. By situating our facility directly at Heathrow Airport, we can reduce the need for additional transport. This not only shortens the supply chain but also reduces our carbon footprint. Our on-site sub-office provided by Edinburgh Assay Office provides options for same-day turnaround, cutting down the time and emissions that can be associated with shipping items to and from off-site locations. This streamlined process helps us provide a faster, more eco-friendly service while contributing to a greener future.