Silver Baptism & Christening Gifts from christeningsilver.com

Christening Gifts, Baptism Gifts and Baby Naming Presents

Home | About Us | Contact Us | Delivery

Christening Gifts

BIBLES and Bookmarks

TANKARDS, Cups & Mugs

Christening CUFFLINKS

CHRISTENING CUTLERY

EGG CUPS & Spoon Sets

Loop SPOONS and Pushers

Comb & BRUSH Sets

BOWLS, Dishes & QUAICH

Boxes & KEEPSAKES

JEWELLERY Silver Necklaces

BRACELETS and Bangles

Silver Napkin Rings

Silver Baby RATTLES

Silver Christening FRAMES

TOP 15 Christening Gifts

BOYS Christening Gifts

GIRLS Christening Gifts

Popular Christening Gifts

Information

Buyers from The USA

The Christening Service

The Godparent's Role

Sterling Silver Hallmarks

Christening Gift history

Product Quickfinder

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

US BUYERS
SAVINGS & REFUNDS

WE'RE HERE TO HELP

If your order is urgent or if you have any queries, please do call:

01926 624690

Home > Sterling Silver Hallmarks

Sterling Silver Hallmarks

Hallmarks for sterling silver date back to the fourteenth century in the UK when Edward I enacted a statute for the assay and marking of silver articles to a specific standard. These marks were probably the earliest form of consumer protection, guaranteeing that the hallmarked object was made from 92.5% silver - sterling silver.

The first Assay Office was established in Goldsmiths Hall in 1478 - thus "Hall"-marked.

In the past there have been ten Assay Offices in the UK. Exeter, Chester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Norwich and York have all closed over the last two hundred years leaving London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh.

On your sterling silver Christening present you will see the mark of one of these Assay Offices:

The Anchor of the Birmingham Assay Office

The Leopard's Head of the London Assay Office

The Yorkshire Rose of the Sheffield Assay Office

The Castle of the Edinburgh Assay Office

Other marks you will find on your Christening gift include:

The "Fineness" or purity mark for 925 parts per 1000 (millesimal mark)

The traditional mark for British Sterling Silver, the Lion Passant

The sponsor's mark or marker's mark - usually the company's initials

The year mark - "h" is the date letter for 2007. "g" = 2006, "f" = 2005 etc

The legal, compulsory part of the UK hallmark only consists of the sponsor or maker's mark, the assay office mark, and the standard of fineness 925 mark, but in reality you will find the additional marks on the majority of our Christening presents and Baptism gifts.

There is an exemption from hallmarking by weight: compulsory hallmarks are not needed on silver under 7.78g in weight, so on some of our smaller items (for example Christening jewellery) the hallmark may not be present.

For more information on the UK Hallmarking and Assay system please visit the sites below.

The Birmingham Assay Office

The Goldsmiths' Company - London Assay Office

Further details of the Goldsmiths' Company directory of contemporary British silversmiths, jewellers and medallists can be found at: Who's Who in Gold and Silver

Shopping Cart

Your shopping cart is currently empty

Total £0.00