SECRET CODED MESSAGES
Hallmarks
Hallmarks Decoded
PI Glossary
Assay Offices
There are 4 assay offices still in use in the UK:
Birmingham (Anchor symbol)
Sheffield (Rose)
London (Leopard)
Edinburgh (Castle)
London 1678 - Present
Birmingham 1773 - Present
Sheffield 1773 - Present
Edinburgh 1705 - Present
Chester - closed in 1962
Exeter - closed in 1883
Glasgow - closed in 1964
Newcastle upon Tyne - closed in 1884
Hallmarkings
If your gold is inscribed with the ‘375’ hallmark, it means that it is 37.5 per cent solid gold, 9 carat or 9ct gold for short.
The ‘500’ hallmark, means that it is 50 per cent solid gold, or 12ct.
The list goes on, ‘585’ is 14ct, ‘625’ is 15ct, ‘750’ means 18ct, ‘916’ is for 22ct and ‘999’ which is the purest gold you can get is 24 ct.
The age of a piece of jewellery is indicated by letters of the alphabet.
The alphabetic sequences are also differentiated by changes in typeface, punch shape, and changes from upper to lower case characters.
Here at PI London all of our pieces are 9ct (375) gold or more.
We will never have plated or gold filled pieces as we believe jewellery should last a lifetime.
If you have any questions about hallmarks please do get in touch, you can email us at info@pilondon.co.uk