By law in the UK, silver items are required to be hallmarked at a recognised Assay Office if it is over the weight of 7.78g.

At Jewellery by Linda I choose to have certain items hallmarked even if they are under that weight.  I make sure to tell you in the product description if the item is hallmarked.

As a proud Yorkshire based creator, when I require an item hallmarking I send it along to the lovely people at Sheffield Assay Office – where else?

In the hallmark shown above this is what each symbol means (left to right):

• Sponsor mark – this is my own Jewellery by Linda registered makers mark and shows the item was made by me.
• The fineness/quality mark – in this case showing that the item is sterling silver (i.e. 925 – that is 92.5% silver content)
• Yorkshire rose – this shows that the item was hallmarked in Sheffield
• Lion passant – this shows that the item was made in the UK
• Date mark – this changes each year and, obviously shows when the item was hallmarked.

The sponsor mark, fineness mark and Assay Office mark are compulsory with any item which is hallmarked. The lion and the date marks are voluntary but I like to include them.

You can view the Assay Office Dealers Notice Dealers_Notice_B