What Is the London Assay Office Mark?

By Anna Duncan

If you’ve ever purchased a piece of jewelry or silverware in the UK, you may have noticed a small hallmark on the item. This hallmark is known as the London Assay Office mark and is an important symbol of authenticity and quality.

What is the London Assay Office Mark?

The London Assay Office mark is a set of symbols that are stamped onto precious metal items such as gold, silver, and platinum. These symbols indicate that the metal has been tested and approved by an independent organization known as an Assay Office.

History of the London Assay Office

The London Assay Office has been around for over 700 years and was established in 1300 by King Edward I. Its purpose was to ensure that all precious metal items sold in England were of a certain standard and purity.

In the early days, goldsmiths would bring their wares to the Assay Office to be tested and marked with a symbol indicating their quality. Over time, this system became more formalized, with specific marks being assigned to different cities and regions across England.

Today, there are four Assay Offices in the UK: London, Birmingham, Sheffield, and Edinburgh. The London office is the largest and oldest of these offices and is responsible for testing over 90% of all precious metal items sold in the UK.

  • What do the symbols on the mark mean?

The London Assay Office mark consists of several symbols that provide important information about the item being marked. Here’s what each symbol means:

  • Sponsor’s Mark: This symbol represents the maker or supplier of the item. It can be either a person’s initials or a company logo.
  • Assay Office Mark: This symbol indicates which Assay Office tested and approved the item.

    The symbol for the London Assay Office is a leopard’s head.

  • Metal Purity: This symbol indicates the purity of the metal, measured in parts per thousand. For example, a mark of “925” means that the item is 92.5% pure silver.
  • Date Letter: This symbol represents the year in which the item was tested and marked. Each year has its own unique letter code assigned to it.

Why is the London Assay Office Mark Important?

The London Assay Office mark serves several important functions:

  • Authenticity: The mark is a guarantee that the item is genuine and has been independently tested and approved.
  • Purity: The mark provides assurance that the metal used in the item is of a certain standard and purity.
  • Craftsmanship: The mark can also serve as an indicator of quality craftsmanship, as only skilled artisans are able to create items that meet the standards required for hallmarking.

In Conclusion

If you’re purchasing precious metal items in the UK, it’s important to look for the London Assay Office mark as a sign of authenticity and quality. With its long history and strict standards, this hallmark provides valuable assurance to buyers that they are getting what they pay for.

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