The English hallmarking system
November 6, 2008 by Cyndi Lavin
Filed under Antique & Vintage Jewelry, Jewelry Business Tips, Other Bead & Jewelry Sites
Tamara, of Tamara Jewelry sent me a link to a terrific article she wrote on hallmarking. This is a topic that everyone who collects antique and vintage jewelry should learn as much as possible about! Thanks Tamara!
When looking through old English gold or silver, whether a locket, a pendant (a piece of Tamara Jewelry!), even a candlestick or a piece of flatware, you might notice tiny markings stamped into the metal. These are hallmarks, and they can tell you a lot about the piece’s history.
The hallmarking system began in the United Kingdom during the 12th century when an edict was laid down that no piece of silver “was to depart out of the hands of workers” until it was tested and marked as genuine.
