Silver Hallmarking and Quality
Silver jewellery is made from sterling silver - 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper.
Silver is a very soft metal and 100% pure silver is not suitable for jewellery because it is too soft and would easily bend and go out of shape.
There are very strict legal requirements that must be adhered to when retailing jewellery in the UK.
UK law requires any sterling silver product over 7.78 grams in weight to be hallmarked by one of the four UK independent Assay Offices.
A hallmark is not be to confused with a manufacturers '925' stamp. '925' stamped into a piece of silver jewellery does not guarantee quality or that the product is really sterling silver.
A UK hallmark must also be present by law, otherwise the product can not be legally sold as sterling silver!
One of the requirements of the Hallmarking Act 1973 is that all dealers supplying precious metal jewellery shall display a notice explaining the approved hallmarks.
A legal UK hallmark consists of:
- Sponsors Mark:
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Sponsors mark - this is the unique mark assigned to each maker/importer that is registered with the assay office.
Silvertime is registered with Birmingham Assay Office. All our silver jewellery that we import is sent to Birmingham Assay Office for independent testing and hallmarking as required by UK law. Our sponsors mark is 'ST'.
- Standard Mark:
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Standard Mark - this mark denotes the standard of metal, eg. 925 for sterling silver, 375 for 9ct gold.
- Assay Office Mark:
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The Anchor symbol is the mark to show the product has been hallmarked at Birmingham Assay Office.
When we send our jewellery to Assay random pieces are cut and scrapped so that the silver can be tested for purity.
- Silvertime Jewellery - Quality Guaranteed:
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All our products are Nickel free and regularly tested. All gems stones used in our jewellery are also randomly tested.
We have been retailing jewellery for over 20 years. We have been trading on the internet since 1999.
Our wealth of experience guarantees that we only select the finest quality jewellery to include in our product range. We work closely with British manufacturers, UK importers and overseas manufacturers.
The only reason our prices are affordable and highly competitive is because we buy in large quantities and our overheads are low due to now being an internet only business. Many of our products are produced by the same manufacturers that supply exclusive high street jewellers.
We really do offer quality and exceptional value for money together with unrivalled service and customer support.
Our Best Selling Jewellery in the last month
Solid 925 sterling silver 3.5mm width diamond cut curb chain. Narrow unisex curb chain necklace
from £29.00
Solid sterling silver hallmarked curb chain 4.3mm width, superb quality high polished finish, fitted with a premium lobster class. This is one of our best selling silver curb chains.
from £43.00
Quality silver pendant chain. Rounded curb chain (as opposed to diamond cut curb chain) suitable for use with pendants. This is a premium quality solid sterling silver curb chain fitted with a larger than usual clasp measuring 6mm. Finished with a patented anti tarnish finish 1.75mm wide and 1.10mm depth.
from £11.40
Rectangular unisex solid sterling silver Franco chain. Perfect for pendants or to wear on its own. 2.35mm x 1.8mm
from £27.00
Highly polished 925 solid sterling silver heart tag necklace. With heart tag and T-Bar fastening, this is a timeless classic design available in 16 ,18 ,20, 22 and 24 inch lengths - 41cm to 61cm lengths.
from £119.00
3.5mm width solid sterling silver figaro chain. The Figaro is a popular italian chain style comprising of 3 small circular links and one elongated oval link then repeating.
from £25.00
A beautiful highly polished silver chain ideal for use with a pendant. The round braided link is very flexible and smooth, perfect for pendants. We offer this Spiga chain in two different widths, this one being the smallest gauge at 1.80mm diameter, fitted with a quality lobster clasp.
from £13.90
Silver box chain ideal for use with pendants, premium quality Italian chain with anti tarnish finish, 1.10mm width, available in lengths 14 inches through to 28 inches.
from £5.99
Ladies sterling silver snake chain ideal for pendants. Rhodium plated finish. 16 inch (41cm) length with an additional 2 inch extender
£9.99
Diamond cut solid 925 sterling silver 4mm diameter rope bracelet. Available in 8 inch (20cm) and 8.75 (22cm) lengths
from £34.00
Men's diamond cut sterling silver oval belcher chain. Available in lengths from 20 inches to 26 inches.
from £109.00
Solid sterling silver hallmarked heavy double heart T-bar toggle bracelet with two solid silver hearts. Available in 7.75" length - 46 grams (1.48 onces) 8.25" length - 50 grams (1.61 ounces)
from £159.00
Sterling silver earrings set with 6mm honey Baltic amber. Classic design earrings, a must for any jewellery collection, the overall diameter including the silver setting is 7.4mm. These are premium quality earrings with a highly polished finish.
£16.40
Premium quality diamond cut solid sterling silver curb chain with a good depth of 1.9mm and a width of 5.5mm.
from £70.00
8.50mm width solid sterling silver men's curb chain, highly polished finish and fitted with a premium quality lobster clasp. This is in the medium to heavy range, available in lengths from 14 to 30 inches / 35cm to 76cm. The 30 inch length weighs over 2 ounces - 65 grams.
from £99.00
Sparkling sterling silver diamond cut rope chain necklace. Lightweight ladies sparkling 1.80mm diameter necklace. Wear on its own or with a pendant, this versatile necklace is available from 16 inch (41cm) lengths through to 30 inch (76cm) lengths
from £16.00
Our 1.80mm Franco chain is ideal for larger pendants or to wear on its own. The Franco chain is a square link design, it is very tactile and the links are flexible, it doesn't tangle or twist and sits well when worn. This chain is a high quality hallmarked sterling silver chain fitted with a quality shackle clasp, the ring connecting the chain to the clasp is soldered to ensure a strong and durable chain.
from £27.00
2mm wide solid sterling silver strong pendant chain. The highly polished chains are fitted with a good size 6mm clasp and are available in extra long lengths up to 34 inches (86cm). Perfect for medium sized pendants
from £12.40
Solid sterling silver spiga chain. This heavier spiga chain measures 4.3mm diameter and is suitable for men and women. Perfect to wear on its own or for use with heavy pendants. Available in a large choice of lengths
from £76.00
Finely detailed sterling silver honey bee pendant. This cute little bee pendant has a lightly oxidised finish to the wings. The honey Baltic amber is perfectly shaped to a realistic body. Supplied with a sterling silver box pendant chain
from £22.40
