The 1973 Hallmarking Act outlines the legal requirements for assaying, hallmarking and selling of precious metal items in the UK.

Anyone selling precious metal items to UK consumers must ensure that any items that are not exempt carry a recognised hallmark, and ensure precious metal descriptions are accurate.

However, items below a certain weight are exempt from hallmarking. The exemption weight is based on the weight of the precious metal in the item, excluding, gemstones etc.. Another exception is in the case of articles consisting of precious metal and base metal; in which case the exemption weight is based on the total metal weight:

Therefore any silver weighing less than 7.78 grams, and gold weighing less than 1.0 grams, is exempt from hallmarking.

Mrs Hubbard’s Jewellery Cupboard is registered with London Assay Office, and therefore any items weighing over the exemption weights will be hallmarked. Silver items weighing under 7.78g can be hallmarked with ‘.925’ if requested.