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 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
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
Solid 925 sterling silver 3.5mm width diamond cut curb chain. Narrow unisex curb chain necklace
from £42.00
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
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
Sterling silver unisex belcher chain of a medium weight that would suit a man or woman, not too heavy but not too light. The link diamter is 3.90mm, we offer lengths from 18 to 42 inches (46 cm to 107 cm) , fitted with a premium quality lobster clasp.
from £42.00
Honey, green, lemon and cognac Baltic amber dangling Dragonfly earrings. These pretty earrings hang down a total of 40mm and create plenty of movement as the dragonflies swing on the fastenings.
was £27.90
Sale Price £22.88
Rectangular unisex solid sterling silver Franco chain. Perfect for pendants or to wear on its own. 2.35mm x 1.8mm
from £32.00
Fox drop earrings set with Baltic amber. Adorable Baltic amber 925 sterling silver drop earrings. Textured fur design though the Baltic amber on the fox tail
£34.90
Men's diamond cut sterling silver oval belcher chain. Available in lengths from 20 inches to 26 inches.
from £119.00
Solid sterling silver belcher bracelet. Britsh made highly polished round belcher link bracelet fitted with a quality lobster clasp.
from £100.00
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 £36.90
Heavyweight sterling silver men's box belcher chain. These stunning chains are highly polished and feature quality end caps, the jump ring connecting the chain to the clasp is soldered ensuring the chain is durable and will last a lifetime. The links are 7.5mm wide, the weights go up to 167 grams for the 30 inch length.
from £299.00
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
Solid sterling silver Celtic pendant. Honey Baltic amber stone measuring 17.7mm x 8.5mm complimented by a solid sterling silver Celtic design which totals a drop of 33mm.
£24.90
Sterling silver Baltic amber fox pendant with a lightly oxidised finish to enhance the detail. Set with a stunning honey Baltic amber tail. The total length of the fox pendant measures 27.5mm including bail.
from £29.90
6mm diameter solid sterling silver rope chain suitable for men and women. These highly polished heavy solid sterling silver rope chains are available in a range of legnths from 18 inches up to 30 inches.
from £169.00
