Sterling Silver Jewelry - An Overview To Hallmarking And The Assaying Process

To receive a 'Hallmark' items of precious metal mustthe jewelry, something which is especially valuable for
undergo tests carried out by the 'Assay' office. This isdelicate items which would otherwise be damaged by
done to ascertain if the object's content of preciousthe traditional technique of punching. This procedure of
metal meets the standard requirements of purity.hallmarking uses high power lasers to dissolve material
Forms of marking precious metal objects were aroundfrom the metal surface. There are two methods of
from the Byzantine period in the early part of the firstlaser marking, 2D and 3D, 2 dimensional marking, which
millennium A.D. However, it was under the rule of kingburns the outline of the hallmarks into the object, while
Edward I of England, known as 'Longshanks' due to his3 dimensional marking simulates the traditional punching.
size, that hallmarking was first established.Often the hallmark is made up of several elements
The term 'Hallmark' comes from 'Mark of the Hall ofincluding: the type of metal, the maker and the year of
Goldsmiths' in London, who in 1327 were the firstthe marking. In 1999 a new format of English
official 'Assay' hallmarking office decreed byhallmarking on objects of sterling silver was initiated
parliament to control the standard of precious metalsconsisting of a maker's mark, the assay office insignia
circulating in the British Isles. To this day they stilland a 925 symbol. Optional extra marks are the 'Lion
operate one of four authorized assay offices in Britain.Passant', the UK sign of sterling silver, and the date
Before items made of precious metals such as silver,letter stamp.
gold or platinum are stamped with an 'Assay's' hallmarkThe standardizing of the date letter sequence, shared
they undergo rigorous testing to prove whether or notby all four remaining assay offices in Birmingham,
the metal purity measures up to the establishedEdinburgh, London and Sheffield, were introduced to
standards. In fact, the word 'Assay' is derived from thebring the UK system closer in line with other European
French word meaning to test, trail or examine.Union standards. However, the problem remains that
The basic method of assaying, also known as themany countries throughout the world have different
'Cupellation' process, was first introduced by thestandards and specifications that vary considerably,
ancient Egyptians. The process starts when a smallmaking it difficult for one country to accept another's
sample of silver is removed from the object to behallmarking as equivalent to its own.
tested, which is then carefully weighed and measured.With the advent of globalization, 'Free trade' and the
The sample of silver is then placed in a 'Cupel', a smallInternet, finding the problematic solution to the
receptacle made of bone ash, along with a smallstandardization of world hallmarking has become
quantity of lead. This is then placed in a furnace andincreasingly important. In 1972, the EFTA (European
heated to a high temperature with a draught of airFair Trade Association) consisting of Austria, Finland,
flowing over it. The lead and any other base metalsNorway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United
contained in the silver sample are either oxidized orKingdom held the 'Vienna Convention,' where the first
absorbed into the 'Cupel', leaving only the pure silverEuropean hallmarking laws for precious metals were
behind.put into force.
The remains of the silver are then weighed andThe convention enables specially designated assay
measured and compared to the initial weight of theoffices throughout member countries of the EFTA to
sample. The 'Cupellation' process is the most accurateapply, after testing, a common control mark to articles
method for determining metal purity and is theof precious metals including sterling silver in
standard technique practiced today. Upon meeting theaccordance with the Convention. The articles bearing
required standards of sterling silver the item of sterlingthe Convention marks, called CCM: Common Control
is stamped with the appropriate hallmark.Marks, are accepted without further testing or marking
Until quite recently, most Hallmarks were 'Struck' usingby the assay office of any destination country that is
steel punches. The punches are produced in variousan EFTA member.
proportions, appropriate for petite pieces of jewelry toAlthough this system is not worldwide as yet,
hefty items of silver ware. Punches are made inDenmark, Ireland, the Czech Republic and the
straight shanks for normal punching with a hammer, orNetherlands have since joined the Convention. And
ring shanks used with a press to mark rings.Bahrain, France, Israel, Lithuania, Poland, Spain and
The trouble with traditional punching is that theseveral Eastern European countries have shown an
procedure can misshape the form of the jewelry,interest in the Convention and are preparing for
resulting in the article having to be reworked afterapplication.
hallmarking is completed. For this reason, unfinishedRead Sterling Silver Jewelry - The History Of
items of jewelry are often sent to the assay officeHallmarking In The British Isles Part I
where cuts-offs are taken and tested from theRead Sterling Silver Jewelry - The History Of
articles before hallmarking is executed.Hallmarking In The British Isles Part II
Today, a new method of marking is being employedCopyright © SilverShake Corporation.
using laser technology, which burns the hallmark on to