Hallmarks
Hallmarks are your guarantee as to the metal 'fineness' of your precious metal jewellery i.e. how much of the metal is precious metal.
In the UK jewellery is tested and the Hallmarks are applied by one of the 4 independent Assay offices.
DJS Silversmith is registered with the London Assay office.
So what is a 925 0r S925 mark on its own?
Honestly, it means little. These marks are applied by the jeweller themselves, and only gives you the jewellers personal assurance that the jewellery is actually silver.
That does not mean that only dishonest jewellers apply their own mark.
Because in the UK Hallmarks legally only 'have' to be applied to items over 7.78 grams in silver weight in order for them to be sold as 'Silver'. It is not uncommon for jewellers to self stamp items under this weight.
Hallmarks also incur a cost, which has to be included within any retail price, so items targeting a lower price bracket, are unlikely to be hallmarked to keep the price down.
Currently, I generally get anything that weighs over about 3 grams, or more complex (and costly pieces), sent off for assay (testing) and hallmarking.