At Brufords, our heritage is built on trust. Since 1886, we have ensured that every piece of jewellery passing through our hands meets the highest standards of craftsmanship and purity.

To provide our customers with absolute confidence, we strictly adhere to the Hallmarking Act 1973. This ensures that the gold, silver, platinum, or palladium you purchase is exactly what we say it is.

A hallmark is an official mark struck on items made of precious metals. It is a guarantee of purity, tested and verified by an independent UK Assay Office. Unlike a simple "925" or "750" stamp—which can be applied by anyone—a legal hallmark can only be applied after the metal has been scientifically tested (assayed).

To be a legal UK hallmark, a piece of jewellery must typically feature these three marks:

The Sponsor’s Mark: This indicates the company or person responsible for sending the item to the Assay Office (e.g., the manufacturer or Brufords).

The Fineness Mark: A numerical value indicating the precious metal content (e.g., 750 for 18ct gold, 925 for Sterling silver).

The Assay Office Mark: This tells you which of the four UK offices tested the item (London, Birmingham, Sheffield, or Edinburgh).

As a registered dealer of precious metals, Brufords is legally required to display the official Dealer’s Notice. This explains the various marks you will find on your jewellery.

Click the link below to download a high-resolution PDF version of the British Hallmarking Council's Official Guide:

Under the Hallmarking Act, very small or delicate items are exempt from hallmarking if they fall below the following weights:

Silver: 7.78 grams

Gold & Palladium: 1.00 gram

Platinum: 0.50 grams

Even if an item is exempt, Brufords ensures all our pieces meet the required fineness standards before being offered for sale.

Whether you are choosing an engagement ring or a bespoke commission, you can buy with the peace of mind that your investment is protected by over 700 years of British hallmarking tradition.

Our in-store experts at The Beacon, Eastbourne, are always available to show you the hallmarks on your jewellery through a loupe and explain their significance.