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 £43.00
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
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
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
Sterling silver diamond cut adjustable curb chain. These versatile chains adjust from 16 inches (41cm) to 24 inches (61cm), allowing you to change the length to suit any outfit.
from £11.49
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 £16.00
Solid sterling silver belcher chain necklace, medium gauge 5.70mm diameter, high quality hallmarked, Italian made, this is our best selling and most popular silver belcher chain. Available in lengths of 18 inches through to 32 inches.
from £94.00
Solid 925 sterling silver 3.5mm width diamond cut curb chain. Narrow unisex curb chain necklace
from £29.00
7.4mm width sterling silver figaro chain, this is a medium to heavy weight chain, the 28 inch length weighs 56 grams. This classic figaro consists of 3 round and one oval link. We offer many weights and widths in the figaro style.
from £84.00
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
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 £27.00
Diamond cut belcher pendant chain, rhodium plated. Rhodium protects silver from tarnishing and gives the chain a white gold/platinum look. This is a nice sparkly little chain that would be great to use with a Rhodium plated silver pendant or white gold pendant,
from £8.90
Oval sterling silver belcher chain suitable for use with pendants or to wear on it's own. Highly polished finish fitted with larger 6mm bolt ring clasp. All links are soldered including the clasp to ensure a strong and durable silver chain, available in a wide range of lengths, the links measure 3.8mm x 2.7mm x 1.00mm.
from £11.90
Solid sterling silver t-bar necklace with heart charm. A lighter weight version of our best selling t-bar necklace with heart. Available in a large choice of lengths
from £62.00
Rectangular unisex solid sterling silver Franco chain. Perfect for pendants or to wear on its own. 2.35mm x 1.8mm
from £27.00
1.1mm adjustable 925 sterling silver box chain pendant chain. Each length includes a 2 inch extender (4cm)
from £9.99
Solid sterling silver hallmarked heavy double heart T-bar toggle bracelet with two solid silver hearts. Available in 7.75" length - 46 grams (1.48 onces) 8.25" length - 50 grams (1.61 ounces)
from £159.00
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 £119.00
