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!
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
Strong quality solid sterling silver heavy pendant chain. Rounded curb chain ideal for heavier pendants. Massive choice of lengths up to 42 inches.
from £14.90
Solid sterling silver hallmarked curb chain 4.5mm width, superb quality high polished finish, fitted with a premium lobster class. This is one of our best selling silver curb chains.
from £25.40
Solid sterling silver men's curb chain. A good medium weight chain with 6.5mm wide links. Available in large range of lengths from 18 inches (46cm) through to 30 inches (76cm)
from £49.90
Franco chain is a contemporary square link design. 3mm width franco chain is suitable for men who are looking for a medium weight chain. The chain is finished with square end caps and premium quality shackle clasp.
from £39.90
Premium quality diamond cut solid sterling silver curb chain with a good depth of 1.90mm and a width of 5.10mm.
from £36.00
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 £16.40
Superior quality British made heavy solid sterling silver belcher chain fitted with a premium quality lobster clasp, 7.5mm diameter, weights 62 grams to 103 grams, available in lengths 18 inches to 30 inches / 46cm to 76cm.
from £118.00
11.3mm width solid sterling silver curb bracelet, fitted with quality lobster clasp. Available in 7.5 inch, 8 inch, 9 inch and 9.5 inch lengths weighing up to 45 grams. This is one of our best selling wide curb bracelets since we introduced it in 2011.
from £56.90
This unusual design of silver chain is a square box design. A great alternative to the basic curb chain, these chains are of superior quality and fitted with quality square end caps and shackle clasp for extra durability. This Franco chain width is 3.70mm and available in lengths from 18 inch to 32 inch.
from £59.90
Highly polished 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, 24 and 26 inch lengths - 40cm to 66cm lengths.
from £72.90
Mirror finish highly polished curb chain, 9.2mm width which is medium to heavy gauge. Classic shaped flat diamond cut curb links, stunning quality. Available in lengths from 18 inches - 46cm through to 32 inches - 81cm weights from 62 to 108 grams depending on chosen length.
from £109.00
Men's 9.2mm solid sterling silver curb bracelet, matching chain available, 7.50 inch (19cm) - 26 grams, 8.50 inch (22cm) - 28 grams, 9.50 inch (24cm) - 32 grams and 9.75 inch (25cm) - 35 grams. This is one of our most popular and best selling silver curb bracelets.
from £43.40
A beautiful highly polished silver chain, this stunning chain is great to wear on its own or for use with a pendant. The round braided link is very flexible and smooth, perfect for larger pendants. We offer this Spiga chain in two different widths, this one being the largest at 2.50mm diameter. 16 to 36 inch lengths available.
from £18.40
Silver box chain ideal for use with pendants, premium quality Italian chain with anti tarnish finish, 1.10mm width, available in lengths 16 inches through to 28 inches.
from £3.99
Super heavy and super shiny rope chain! This is the largest rope chain we offer, this is a unisex chain suitable for men and women. The links are diamond cut which adds to the reflection of the chain, the chain links are 7.20mm in diameter, fitted with a quality lobster clasp.
from £134.00
Sterling Silver Bead Bracelet with Heart Charm. Slider fastening, simply slip over the wrist and pull the bracelet to the length required, one size fits all. 4mm diameter beads with a little silver heart charm measuring 10mm.
Sale Price from £19.99
Solid sterling silver unisex diamond cut rope chain. This stunning chain measures 3.3mm diameter and is available in lengths from 16 inches (41cm) to 30 inches (76cm)
from £27.90
Solid sterling silver belcher chain necklace, medium gauge 5.10mm diameter, high quality British hallmarked, British made, this is our best selling and most popular silver belcher chain. Available in lengths of 18 inches through to 32 inches.
from £60.00
Men's oxidised gunmetal finish solid sterling silver heavy curb chains. Available in choice of lengths from 18" (46cm) to 28" (71cm). Great alternative to shiny silver finish. 9.2mm width weighing up to 100g - over three ounces.
from £139.00
Highly polished solid sterling silver heart tag bracelet with t-bar fastening. One of our best sellers over the last 15 years. Personalise the heart to make the perfect gift.
from £44.90
