Gold hallmarks explained
A UK gold hallmark proves an independent assay office has tested the metal. It has three compulsory marks: the sponsor's mark, a fineness mark such as 375 (9ct) or 750 (18ct), and the assay office mark. Under the Hallmarking Act 1973, gold items over 1 gram sold as gold must be hallmarked, but coins and bullion bars are exempt.
The UK has one of the oldest consumer protection systems in the world. Its roots go back to the reigns of Henry III and Edward I, and it now rests on the Hallmarking Act 1973.
What does a UK gold hallmark look like?
A hallmark is a small group of marks struck or laser-marked on an item, usually inside a ring band or on a clasp. Read it left to right:
| Mark | Compulsory? | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor's mark | Yes | Who submitted the item for hallmarking: a maker, importer or retailer, shown as initials in a shield |
| Fineness mark | Yes | Gold content in parts per thousand, such as 375 or 750, in a shield shape that indicates gold |
| Assay office mark | Yes | Which office tested and marked it (London, Birmingham, Sheffield or Edinburgh) |
| Traditional fineness symbol | Optional | A crown for gold |
| Date letter | Optional | The year of hallmarking; the letter changes every 1 January |
Sources: Business Companion (Trading Standards) and The Royal Mint.
What do the gold fineness numbers mean?
The UK assay offices hallmark six standards of gold. Each number is the minimum gold content in every 1,000 parts:
| Fineness mark | Carat | Minimum gold | Gold value per gram now (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 375 | 9ct | 37.5% | ... |
| 585 | 14ct | 58.5% | ... |
| 750 | 18ct | 75.0% | ... |
| 916 | 22ct | 91.66% | ... |
| 990 | About 23.8ct | 99.0% | ... |
| 999 | 24ct | 99.9% | ... |
Standards from Assay Office London's hallmarking guidance. Values are live spot-based melt values (Loading), not dealer or jeweller prices.
The top standards are covered in what is 999 gold. Most UK jewellery is 9ct or 18ct; 22ct is popular for wedding bands and in South Asian jewellery.
Which town mark is which?
| Assay office | Town mark |
|---|---|
| London (Goldsmiths' Company) | Leopard's head |
| Birmingham | Anchor |
| Sheffield | Yorkshire rose |
| Edinburgh | Castle |
You may also see a Common Control Mark (CCM), a pair of scales, from countries in the International Hallmarking Convention. The UK recognises these on gold at 375, 585, 750, 916, 990 and 999.
What does the law require?
- Gold over 1 gram must be hallmarked before it can be described as gold when sold in the UK. The thresholds are 0.5 g for platinum, 1 g for palladium and 7.78 g for silver.
- It is an offence to describe an item as gold, or to supply it as gold, if the description is not true.
- Dealers must display a notice approved by the British Hallmarking Council in a conspicuous place, explaining the marks.
- Some articles are exempt. Schedule 1 of the Act exempts "any coin which is, or was formerly at any time, current coin of the United Kingdom or any other territory" and "any raw material (including any bar, plate, sheet, foil, rod, wire, strip or tube) or bullion".
Why hallmarks matter to gold buyers
Bullion does not need one
Because coins and bullion are exempt, you will not find a hallmark on a Sovereign, a Britannia or a 1oz bar. That does not make them less trustworthy. Coins are guaranteed by the issuing mint; bars carry the refiner's stamp of weight and fineness and often come sealed in an assay card. For extra confidence, buy from an established dealer; see where to buy gold in the UK.
Jewellery hallmarks tell you its scrap value
If you are selling old jewellery, the fineness mark tells you how much pure gold it holds. Multiply weight by fineness and the spot price per gram to see what the gold is worth before you accept an offer. Our guide to selling scrap gold walks through it.
It is a defence against fakes
A genuine UK hallmark is applied only after testing. Copying one is a criminal offence. If an item claimed to be gold has no hallmark and weighs over 1 gram, ask why.
How do the US, Canada and Australia compare?
Only the UK runs compulsory independent testing for jewellery. The other three countries rely on makers' own marks backed by law:
| Country | Independent testing required? | Main rule |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Yes, over 1 g | Hallmarking Act 1973; four assay offices |
| US | No | Maker stamps karat; FTC Jewelry Guides and the National Stamping Act allow a tolerance of three parts per thousand (seven with solder) |
| Canada | No | Precious Metals Marking Act: quality marks from 9K to 24K must be paired with a registered or pending Canadian trademark (unless UK hallmarked); tolerance three parts per thousand |
| Australia | No | Voluntary Australian Standard AS 2140, using millesimal marks such as 375 and 750 |
Wherever you live, bullion follows its own logic: buy recognised coins and bars from a reputable seller. Compare dealers in the US, Canada and Australia, and read how to buy gold before your first purchase. More definitions are in Learn.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three compulsory marks on UK gold?
The sponsor's mark (who sent the item to be hallmarked), the fineness mark (the gold content in parts per thousand, such as 375 or 750) and the assay office mark (which of the four UK offices tested it). The crown symbol for gold and the date letter are optional extras.
What do 375, 585, 750 and 916 mean on gold?
They are fineness marks showing gold per thousand parts. 375 is 9 carat (37.5% gold), 585 is 14 carat, 750 is 18 carat and 916 is 22 carat. The UK also hallmarks 990 and 999, which are near-pure gold. See what is 24 karat gold for the full chart.
Do gold coins and bars have hallmarks?
No. The Hallmarking Act 1973 exempts coins that are or were legal currency anywhere, and raw material or bullion, including bars. Investment bars instead carry the refiner's own stamp of weight, fineness and usually a serial number, and many small bars come sealed in an assay card.
Is gold under 1 gram hallmarked?
Not necessarily. In the UK, gold articles weighing less than 1 gram are exempt from compulsory hallmarking, although they can still be hallmarked voluntarily. The thresholds are 0.5 grams for platinum, 1 gram for palladium and 7.78 grams for silver.
Which town mark means which assay office?
A leopard's head is London, an anchor is Birmingham, a rose is Sheffield and a castle is Edinburgh. These are the four UK assay offices still operating today. Older items may carry marks of offices that have since closed.
Does the US have hallmarks?
Not in the UK sense. There is no independent government assay office testing jewellery before sale. Makers stamp the karat themselves under the National Gold and Silver Stamping Act and the FTC Jewelry Guides, and the stamp must be accurate within set tolerances.
Sources
We checked these primary and official sources when writing and fact-checking this page.
- Hallmarking Act 1973, Schedule 1 (exempt articles: coins, bullion, gold under 1 gram)
- Assay Office London: Hallmarking guidance leaflet (standards, exemption weights, Convention marks)
- Business Companion (Trading Standards): Hallmarking quick guide
- The Royal Mint: What is hallmarking? (town marks and the crown for gold)
- Assay Office London: Dealer's notice
- Competition Bureau Canada: Detailed requirements for marking precious metals
- FTC Jewelry Guides, 16 CFR Part 23 (stamping tolerances)
Not financial advice. GoldVetted provides general information to help you compare options. It is not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Gold prices go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you pay. Check tax rules with the official source or a qualified adviser before you act.