Hallmark Information
TME Gold buy gold of any kind. Below is some information regarding the hallmark. A hallmark is an official mark or series of marks struck on items made of precious metals, including gold. The hallmark consists of a Sponsors / Makers Mark, Metal and Fineness (Purity) and an Assay Office Mark.
What is a Hallmark?
Until 1998, a Hallmark consisted of four COMPULSORY MARKS. Since 1998 the date letter has become optional but the other three symbols remain compulsory. The symbols give the following information:
- who made the article
- what is its guaranteed standard of fineness
- the Assay Office at which the article was tested and marked
- the year in which the article was tested and marked
Sponsor's Mark formerly known as the Maker's mark
This shows the person or company responsible for sending the article to the Assay Office. The sponsor may be the manufacturer, retailer, importer, for example.
Standard Marks
These show the standard of fineness - the purity of the precious metal, in parts per thousand.
| eg: | |
The background shape shows the metal (gold). The figure shows the article consists of 750 parts of gold by weight to 250 parts of other metals - 75% gold. This is equal to 18 carats (18 parts in every 24), the traditional way of describing gold purity. |
Current Gold Standards
Current Silver Standards
Current Platinum Standards
