The material matters as much as the design. I submit Guzzardi’s silver jewellery to the London Assay Office for independent testing and hallmarking, giving you reassurance about the precious metal in your piece.

For me, this independent check is part of the care that goes into creating jewellery you can choose with confidence.

What Is a Hallmark?

A hallmark is a set of marks applied after an independent assay office has tested the precious metal. It confirms that the piece meets the standard of purity indicated by its hallmark.

A number such as “925” stamped on its own is not a complete UK hallmark. The compulsory UK hallmark includes three elements: a sponsor’s mark, a fineness mark and an assay office mark.

Understanding UK Silver Hallmarks

The sponsor’s mark
Identifies the registered person or business responsible for submitting the piece for hallmarking.

The fineness mark
Shows the recognised silver purity standard in parts per thousand. For example, 925 indicates a minimum silver content of 92.5%.

The assay office mark
Identifies the office that tested and hallmarked the piece. London’s symbol is the leopard’s head.

A traditional hallmark may also include a silver symbol and a date letter indicating the year of hallmarking. These additional marks are optional.

Argentium Silver and Hallmarking

I use Argentium Silver 940 for Guzzardi’s silver jewellery. This alloy contains 94% silver, compared with 92.5% in traditional sterling silver.

The alloy’s composition and its hallmark describe related but different things: the hallmark confirms the recognised fineness standard met by the finished piece. It does not necessarily reproduce the alloy’s exact silver percentage.

If you would like help understanding the marks on your Guzzardi jewellery, please contact me.

Learn More About Hallmarking

The diagram on this page illustrates the different components of a UK hallmark.

For further information, visit the London Assay Office’s official guide to hallmarks, or consult the official PDF linked below.

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