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:
-
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:
-
Standard Mark - this mark denotes the standard of metal, eg. 925 for sterling silver, 375 for 9ct gold.
- Assay Office Mark:
-
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:
-
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 sterling silver unisex diamond cut rope chain. This stunning chain measures 3.8mm diameter and is available in lengths from 26 inches (66cm) to 30 inches (76cm)
from £74.00
Stunning quality diamond cut 4.8mm diameter solid 925 sterling silver rope bracelet available in 19cm and 21.5cm lengths (7.5 inch and 8.5 inch)
from £57.00
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 £129.00
Premium quality diamond cut solid sterling silver curb chain with a good depth of 1.9mm and a width of 5.5mm.
from £80.00
5.5mm width solid 925 sterling silver curb bracelet available in a large choice of lengths
from £39.00
4.8mm wide solid sterling silver diamond cut unisex rope chain. Available in lengths up to 30 inches (76cm), the diamond cut edges give extra sparkle and shine to this popular chain design. Rope chain is becoming much more popular and the diamond cut rope chain is the preferred choice.
from £114.00
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
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 £29.00
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
Sale Price from £21.40
Ladies sterling silver snake chain ideal for pendants. Rhodium plated finish. 16 inch (41cm) length with an additional 2 inch extender
was £16.00
Sale Price £13.22
Ladies solid sterling silver bracelet with t-bar fastening. Available in choice of lengths, suitable to add charms to the bracelet.
from £64.00
2.9mm diameter diamond cut solid 925 sterling silver rope chain necklace
from £46.00
Multi colour Baltic Amber leaves brooch solid sterling silver brooch. A stunning nature inspired leaf design set with genuine multi colour amber of superb quality with a highly polished finish. Each piece of marquise amber measures 10mm x 5mm, the brooch length is 45mm and weighs 4.8 grams.
£38.00
Highly polished solid sterling silver heart tag bracelet with t-bar fastening. One of our best sellers over the last 15 years. Available in a choice of three lengths
from £74.00
Solid sterling silver belcher bracelet. Britsh made highly polished round belcher link bracelet fitted with a quality lobster clasp.
from £100.00
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 £64.00
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
