Gold hallmarks: know what to look for

© Bulgari

Before you invest in a piece of gold jewellery, make sure it has a hallmark. This shows that the item has been tested (assayed) by an independent body (Assay Office) and guarantees that the metal meets the legal standards of fineness or purity.

A British hallmark consists of three compulsory symbols:

> The Sponsor's Mark - indicates the sponsor or manufacturer of the item. It consists of the initials of the person or company that sent in the item for verification.
> The Fineness Mark - indicates what the metal is and its standard of purity in parts per thousand.
> The Assay Office Mark - identifies the Assay Office where the item was tested and marked.