The Encyclopedia · Metals & marks
British hallmarks
A set of marks showing the maker, the fineness, the assay office and often the year.
Britain has one of the oldest hallmarking systems in the world. A full set of British hallmarks combines the sponsor’s mark, identifying the maker or retailer; the fineness, such as 750 or 18 for 18 karat gold; the mark of the assay office, such as the leopard’s head for London; and a date letter showing the year of assay.
What to look for
Date letters make British jewels unusually easy to date precisely. On a Cartier London piece, British marks are expected.
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