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What is Hallmarking?
Hallmarking is the series of marks applied to jewellery made of precious metals. Jewellery is marked to show it has met the legal standards of testing.
History - Why was hallmarking needed?
Hallmarking dates back to the 1300's, when Edward I established the assaying and marking of precious metals. The original aim of introducing the hallmark was to protect the public against fraud and the trader against unfair competition.
When jewellery is being manufactured, precious metals are not used in their pure form, as they are too soft. Gold, Silver and Platinum are always combined with other metals to create an alloy that is more suitable to jewellery.
It can be impossible for even an expert to determine the quality and fineness of precious metal items by sight or touch alone. Silver and gold that met the required standards began to be marked from 1300 with the symbol of a leopard's head which is still the mark of the London Assay Office today. In 1363, the maker's mark was added to the hallmark, indicating to the buyer or collector who made the piece, thus ensuring traceability.
Hallmarking at Tomassa
Here at Tomassa, all of our gold and sterling silver is assayed at Sheffield Assay Office so our customers can be confident that all their pieces are of the highest standard.
This is the Tomassa Hallmark:
We’ve also incorporated it into our logo as the quality of our collections is of utmost importance to us.