Hallmarking

secrets revealed

© by David Foard F.G.A.A.; all rights reserved

We should be familiar with the BASIC hallmarks mentioned in A Quick Look at Hallmarks. You may want to review them again, just to bring you up to speed and ensure you have grasped the principles.

Let's quickly remind ourselves where we should be regarding Hallmarks:

The first three marks mentioned before were:

1. The Makers mark

2. The Assay Office mark

3. The Quality mark

   And that brings us to the last mark...

4. The Date stamp

   Please note that more mistakes are made with this mark than any other. There are two reasons for this:

   The first reason is because 26 letters can only be used for 26 years (a different one for each year, although they did use italics or capitals for a change). So in order to extend their use, the shape of the stamp mark itself was changed.

   One series of 26 years may use a Shield shape, while the next 26 years may use a square shape with the corners trimmed off. Go figure?

   And second reason is because humans being humans (and contrary to common belief, jewelers are human), a manufacturer who lived in Birmingham had to use one shape of stamp, while jewelers in London had to use another shape.

   All very good, you say, until a jeweler who USED to live in London went to Birmingham to work and took all his old tools and stamps with him, and couldn't be bothered (they cost money) to buy a new set. So he used his old set....

   Ahhh... Life is never simple.

   However; and in general terms, if all else fails - use common sense.

   As London was the largest and most common stamp, you may find a Birmingham mark with a slightly wrong date stamp, although the date YEAR mark should be the same.

   By using all of the marks together and taking into account the wear and look of the item - plus what it is - you should get fairly close to accurate.

   If you're still not sure, get a written valuation done with your local professional jewelry appraiser, and use that piece of paper as fact.

   Even though YOU know they are going through the same process of 'Dating,' it's still a little confusing. Plus it's not the only form of Dating I get confused with. And my plastic eyeglass doesn't help at all....

Look out for these tips next time you're spying with your eyeglass:

In Circa 1821 the Leopard's Head Hallmark became 'Uncrowned'.

In Circa 1891 Queen Victoria's head was no longer used in Hallmarking.

The major point is to use ALL of the Hallmarks, not just the date letter.

Also check the style of an item, as this could give a clue to the period.

As a general rule, Hallmarks should be assessed by going from the 'big picture' to the 'small picture' or the particular date in question.

For example: Date the article within a 25 year time span first, as this can be calculated from the overall 'SHAPE' or style of the stamp mark (Shield or Oval etc). Then go to the actual 'Year' stamp mark.

Remember, these can sometimes be wrong, but if we are in the ballpark, so to speak, we won't be too far out.

It is interesting to note that the expression 'Circa' or 'c' actually means 'around'...

Silver imported into England carried the 'F' mark (for Foreign) between 1883 - 1904.

It is helpful if we can remember some of the more important changes to Hallmarking and just how that affected quality.

For example:

The quality of Hallmarked Gold can give us a clue regarding its age.

Items of 22ct stamped with the 'Lion passant' were made up to 1844.

After that date items were stamped 22ct with a 'Crown' hallmark.

UKHM stands for the United Kingdom Hall Marks and has been in existence since 1300. Yes... 1300!

The basic marks are:

The Assay Mark which indicated the 'Guarantee of Quality'.

The Origin Mark which shows WHERE it was Assayed.

The Duty Mark to confirm 'Tax' had been paid.

The Maker's Mark to indicate the company or individual who made the item.

The Date Mark based on the letters of the Alphabet, changing each year.

The Assay year was NOT a Calendar year as it began (as for London) in May. That means it covered TWO Calendar years.

Author David Foard, a Fellow of the Gemological Association of Australia (F.G.A.A.) and former member of The Valuers Council (JATVC), is retired ("Ha..." he laughs). He is working harder now than at any time in his life, especially over the 30 years he spent in the Antique Jewelry Trade as a qualified gemologist and member of the Valuers Council. Now he concentrates on the "three R's" of Readin', Ritin', and Re-ritin' articles, courses and free report newsletters at his Online Jewelry Appraisal Center website.

David says, "There are several other jewelry-related special reports available through the eMail-on-Demand subscription box on our website, so please take some time to visit.

"There is a timely warning on Security issues. It's good advice, plus there are some great tips on Investing in Jewelry, Insurance guidelines and other notes on selling, Hallmarking tips etc. These reports are all free.

"Thank you, and as usual....

"Take care and watch the road."

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Read more about hallmarking in A Quick Look at Hallmarks.

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