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.
Personalised Jewellery Engraving
We offer a selection of jewellery which can be personalised for engraving. Simply click the 'Personalise' section and add your copy. Our personalised jewellery range includes heart jewellery, lockets and ID Bracelets. View the full range of our personalised silver jewellery.
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 £26.40
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
Solid sterling silver box chain, very good quality lightweight box chain that is perfect chain for light to medium pendants. The width is 0.85mm and the chain is fitted with a 5mm bolt ring clasp. Available in lengths from 14 inches through to 26 inches.
from £2.99
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
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 £5.70
Cuban link solid sterling silver men's curb chain. A smooth tight link with a domed profile as opposed to regular diamond cut curb chains, this style is often referred to as cuban curb chain. 6.90mm wide available in 18 inch (46cm) lengths through to 30 inch (76cm) lengths
from £89.00
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
Italian made 4.5mm diameter silver Belcher hallmarked chain. Specially made for us with better quality components and durable lobster clasp. This is a superb premium quality chain of medium weight from 20 grams to 36 grams. Suitable for men and women.
from £35.90
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 £10.90
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
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
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
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 9mm wide Heavy Byzantine silver bracelet, 8.5 inches weighing 40 grams. This stunning handmade silver bracelet features a superb highly polished finish. This is one of our most popular men's silver bracelets. Matching neck chain also available.
from £94.90
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
Round Silver Belcher Pendant Chain for pendants fitted with a 6mm clasp. Excellent quality pendant chain with an anti tarnish patented finish. This chain is most suited as pendant chain and would be ideal for medium weight pendants.
from £6.49
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 16 to 32 inches (41 cm to 81 cm) , fitted with a premium quality lobster clasp.
from £23.40
4mm 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 £43.00
