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
925 Sterling silver pendant box chain. Adjustable 1.2mm width box chain for use with pendants
£14.99
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
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
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
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 £139.00
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
Beautiful acorn pendant crafted with honey Baltic amber. Sterling silver finely detailed Baltic amber acorn pendant. This amazing pendant is superbly designed and matches our amber acorn earrings perfectly
from £32.00
Solid 925 sterling silver 3.5mm width diamond cut curb chain. Narrow unisex curb chain necklace
from £31.00
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 £69.00
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
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 £24.00
Sterling silver multicoloured Baltic amber drop earrings. Leaf design drop earrings set with lemon, green and honey Baltic amber. These earrings feature a leaf design on the plain sections. 28mm drop.
£32.00
Sterling silver honey Baltic amber bee ring. Set with two honey Baltic amber stones for the body and head. The bee is lightly oxidised to enhance the detail of its body. The bee measures 14.9mm x 13.4mm. Comes available in various sizes.
£29.90
Sterling silver honey Baltic amber double bee brooch. Charming brooch featuring two little bees sitting on honeycomb. The length of this brooch is 30mm.
£38.00
Sterling silver multicoloured Baltic amber leaves ring. Long Baltic amber ring set with seven pieces of lemon, green and cognac Baltic amber
£34.90
Rectangular unisex solid sterling silver Franco chain. Perfect for pendants or to wear on its own. 2.35mm x 1.8mm
from £27.00
Men's diamond cut sterling silver oval belcher chain. Available in lengths from 20 inches to 26 inches.
from £109.00
5.5mm width solid 925 sterling silver curb bracelet available in a large choice of lengths
from £39.00
