Hallmark Finder
This free tool guides you through hallmark identification. Whether you're checking the tiny symbols or stamps inside a ring (called hallmarks) investigating vintage marks on a family heirloom, or decoding Victorian hallmarks on your latest find, you can identify its gold or platinum fineness, the UK assay office that tested it, and the year it was hallmarked—all in seconds.
Simply select the symbols / stamps from your jewellery to find out:
- Gold fineness – Includes carat and fineness stamps like 375 (9ct), 585 (14ct), 750 (18ct), 916 (22ct)
- Platinum marks – Numbers such as 850, 900, 950 plus oval or “PLAT” stamps
- Assay office – Identify where it was tested: 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—or stamps—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 be stamped with carat numbers like 9, 12, 15, 18, 22. These numbers indicate the gold content as a percentage—e.g., “750” means 75% gold (18 ct).
Platinum Hallmarks
British platinum is marked with fineness numbers such as:
- 850, 900, 950, 999
You may also see the word “PLATINUM”, the abbreviation “PLAT”, or an oval stamp. Our tool matches these marks with 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”), which restarts in different styles each cycle.
Our tool covers hallmark date letters back to 1700, making it easy to 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 – Proves the metal is genuine
- Fineness – Shows exactly how pure the gold or platinum is
- Dating – Reveals when the item was officially stamped
- Origin – Links the item to a specific UK assay office
Using the Hallmark Finder Tool
Instead of relying on guesswork or reference books, our hallmark finder lets you:
- Select the symbols or numbers 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 10× magnifying loupe or zoom with your phone camera to spot faint or worn hallmarks. Look inside ring bands, bracelet clasps, or behind pendants and brooches.
Common Hallmark & Jewellery Stamp Questions (FAQ)
What do the symbols or stamps inside my ring mean?
They are hallmarks - official UK stamps that reveal the metal fineness, the city where the item was tested, and its year of hallmarking.
Why does my ring have stamps on it?
Hallmarking is a legal requirement for most precious-metal jewellery sold in the UK today. These stamps protect buyers by proving authenticity and purity.
My gold ring has no hallmark - does that mean it's fake?
Not necessarily. Many genuine rings, particularly those made before the 1973 Hallmarking Act or those below historic weight exemptions, may carry no stamp. Hallmarks can also wear away over centuries or be lost during resizing.
Do antique rings always have hallmarks?
No. Prior to 1973, it was not uncommon for some UK rings - especially lightweight pieces - to be sold without hallmarks. Imported or handmade items sometimes lacked them too. That’s why jewellers rely on additional tests (acid, XRF) and stylistic analysis when appraising antique rings.
What does the anchor symbol mean on a ring?
An anchor stamp shows your jewellery was tested at the Birmingham Assay Office.
What does 585 mean on gold?
"585" indicates 14 carat gold - 58.5% pure.
What does 9 ct mean on a ring?
A simple "9 ct" or "9 c" stamp means the piece is made of 9-carat (37.5 %) gold; it’s a fineness mark rather than a full UK hallmark set.
What does DIA mean inside a ring?
"DIA" tells you the ring was originally set with diamonds.
What does CZ mean on jewellery?
The "CZ" stamp indicates the stones are cubic-zirconia; the setting metal may be silver or another metal.
What does 925 mean on a ring?
"925" is sterling silver (92.5 % silver). It is not used on gold jewellery.
What does "PLAT" or "PT" mean?
Both abbreviations stand for platinum; they may appear with a fineness number such as 950.
My ring says 950 - does that mean platinum or silver?
In the UK, "950" usually indicates 95 % platinum. Silver uses different symbols.
Can resizing remove hallmarks?
Yes. Hallmarks sitting where a ring is cut for resizing can be partially or completely lost. The resizing experts at Antique Jewellers always try to preserve hallmarks when resizing.
How do I identify the year from hallmark letters?
Match the letter style to the cycle for the assay office. Our free hallmark-finder tool provides instant results.
Is there a free British hallmark checker online?
Yes - you’re using it! This tool covers UK hallmarks from 1700 onward.
Commemorative and Other Special Hallmarks
Special hallmarks celebrate national events. For example, the Diamond Jubilee mark (July 2011 – October 2012) shows Queen Elizabeth II wearing a crown. Such optional stamps add collectability but are not part of the core hallmark set.
Beyond the Basics
After identifying an item's metal, assay office, and date, you've unlocked its story. Hallmarks can:
- Place a piece in the Georgian, Victorian, or Art Deco period
- Offer clues about regional craftsmanship
- Highlight maker’s marks—initials or logos registered by jewellers (not covered in this tool)
Disclaimer
This tool offers general guidance on UK hallmarks from 1700 onward. For authentication, valuation, or legal matters, consult a certified jeweller or the relevant UK Assay Office.