Hallmark Finder
This free tool guides you through hallmark identification. Whether you're checking for rare antique gold hallmarks on rings, vintage hallmarks on a family heirloom or hoping to discover Victorian hallmarks on your latest find, you can identify its gold or platinum fineness, the assay office that tested it, and the year it was hallmarked here.
Simply select the symbols from your jewellery to find out:
- Gold fineness – Includes common marks like 375, 585, 750, 916, and traditional carat numbers 9, 12, 15, 18, 22
- Platinum marks – Including numbers like 850, 900, 950, and additional symbols that may appear
- Assay office – Identify which UK office tested it: London (leopard’s head), Birmingham (anchor), Sheffield (rose), Chester (three wheat sheaves), Edinburgh (castle), Glasgow (tree), York (five lions passant)
- Date letter – Discover the official year of hallmarking, going back as far as 1700
Step 1: Select the office stamp you see on the jewellery.
Step 2: Now select the fineness stamp. If you can't find one, or you're unsure, just hit "Skip".
Step 3: Now select the matching letter(s).
Click a letter twice
to unselect it. If you're not sure, click "I'm Not Sure" and you'll be
able to select from the full list of year stamps.
Otherwise, you
can hit "Skip" to go straight to your results so far.
Step 4: Finally, select the matching year stamp.
Your item was hallmarked by the Assay Office of {{ APP.runningResult.assayOfficeName }}.
Your item is platinum
Your item is 9 carat gold.
Your item is 12 carat gold.
Your item is 14 carat gold.
Your item is 15 carat gold.
Your item is 18 carat gold.
Your item is 22 carat gold.
Your item was hallmarked after {{ APP.runningResult.yearFrom }}.
Your item was hallmarked between {{ APP.runningResult.yearFrom }} and {{ APP.runningResult.yearTo }}.
Your item was hallmarked in {{ APP.runningResult.yearFrom }}.
Understanding British Hallmarks: A Complete Guide
Hallmarking in Britain began in 1300 under King Edward I, requiring precious metals to meet minimum fineness and be officially marked. Today, those marks are still your best guide to a piece's quality, origin, and history.
What Do Gold Hallmark Numbers Mean?
Hallmarks on gold usually appear as either a fineness number or a carat value:
- 375 = 9 carat gold
- 585 = 14 carat gold
- 750 = 18 carat gold
- 916 = 22 carat gold
Older pieces might simply be stamped with carat numbers like 9, 12, 15, 18, or 22, all referring to standard purity levels. These numbers indicate the gold content as a percentage. For example, “750” means 75% gold, or 18ct.
Platinum Hallmarks
British platinum is marked with fineness numbers such as:
- 850, 900, 950, or 999
You may also see the word “PLATINUM” or an oval symbol, although these aren't always present due to changes in legislation and standards over time. Our tool helps match these marks with official assay office records.
Decoding Date Letters
British hallmarks include a date letter, which corresponds to the year the item was hallmarked. This system began in 1478 and continues today.
Each year has its own unique letter (e.g. “A”, “B”, “C”), and the exact letter used varies by assay office. These letter cycles restart periodically with different styles, making it possible to date pieces precisely – often down to the year.
Our tool covers hallmark date letters back to 1700, helping you easily date antique and vintage items.
UK Assay Offices and Their Symbols
- London – Leopard’s Head
- Birmingham – Anchor
- Sheffield – Rose
- Chester – Three Wheat Sheaves (closed 1962)
- Edinburgh – Castle
- Glasgow – Tree (closed 1964)
- York – Five Lions Passant (closed 1856)
Why Hallmarks Matter
- Authentication – Proving that an item is made of genuine precious metal
- Fineness – Telling you exactly how pure the gold or platinum is
- Dating – Helping determine when the item was officially tested and hallmarked
- Origin – Linking the item to a specific UK city via its assay office mark
Using the Hallmark Finder Tool
Instead of relying on guesswork or reference books, our hallmark finder lets you:
- Choose symbols from your item
- Instantly get the fineness, assay office, and date letter meaning
- Learn more about the item's origin and composition
Pro Tip: Use a 10x magnifying loupe or zoom in with your phone camera to spot faint or worn hallmarks. Common locations include inside ring bands, bracelet clasps, and behind pendants or brooches.
Common Hallmark Queries (FAQ)
What does 375 mean on gold?
It means 9 carat gold — 37.5% pure gold.
What carat is 750 gold?
750 corresponds to 18 carat gold — 75% pure.
What is the hallmark date letter for a Birmingham anchor in 1994?
Look for the anchor symbol (Birmingham), then find the letter “u” for that year. Our tool can help confirm this.
How do I identify gold hallmark letters?
A single letter usually indicates the year (date letter). Check its shape and context to match it using our tool.
Is there a free British hallmark checker online?
Yes — you're using it! This tool is completely free and supports hallmark dating and office identification from 1700 onwards.
Commemorative and Other Special Hallmarks
You may also encounter special hallmarks issued for national events. One example is the Diamond Jubilee mark, used between July 2011 and October 2012, which depicts Queen Elizabeth II wearing a crown, facing right.
These optional marks add interest and collectability but are not part of the core hallmark set.
Beyond the Basics
Once you’ve identified your item's metal, assay office, and date, you’ve unlocked a powerful story. Hallmarks can:
- Help place a piece in the Georgian, Victorian, or Art Deco period
- Offer clues about a region’s craftsmanship
- Highlight maker’s marks — small initials or logos registered to individual jewellers or firms (though not covered by this tool)
Disclaimer
This tool provides general guidance for identifying UK hallmarks from 1700 onward. For authentication, valuation, or legal purposes, we recommend contacting a certified jeweller or the appropriate UK Assay Office.