Our Hallmark

What Is Hallmarking?

Hallmarking in Britain dates back to 1300 and the reign of Edward I. A hallmark is a set of component marks or icons which is applied, usually by stamp or by laser, to items made of precious metals to indicate the value and authenticity of an item. Hallmarks can be applied only to the noble metals: silver, gold, platinum, or palladium. In the UK, four Assay Offices – in Edinburgh, Birmingham, London and Sheffield – are authorised by the UK government to apply hallmarks. There are stringent laws around hallmarking.  This means if you own an item with a full UK hallmark, you can have peace of mind that it has been independently tested and approved by one of the four Assay Offices, which are government agencies. The main material of the item being hallmarked is the subject of the metal purity mark. Vermeil items are hallmarked with the sterling silver hallmark. 

The hallmark is your guarantee of quality. It means that the item of jewellery has been:

  • Independently tested
  • Conforms to all legal standards of purity (fineness)
  • Guarantees the provenance of the jewellery. 

 

The Lily Blanche Hallmark

The Lily Blanche hallmark is a full traditional UK hallmark. It has been created for us by the Edinburgh Assay Office using the world-famous castle mark which has been in circulation since 1457. By offering a hallmark, we join a legacy of makers stretching back centuries. Hallmarks are eminently collectable and add value to your jewellery.

Each hallmark tells its own story through a series of individual pictures:

The letters in the surrounding shape are our maker’s mark and identify the jewellery as Lily Blanche.

The numbers tell of the type and purity of the metal.
The Scottish lion rampant is the traditional fineness mark
The castle identifies the city in which the piece is hallmarked – in our case Edinburgh.
The letter represents the year in which the piece was tested and marked.

Here you can read more about the Edinburgh Assay Office and it's work with hallmarking.

Why Do Items Need To Be Hallmarked


What Does A Hallmark Add To An Item?

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hallmark and why does it matter?

A hallmark is an official mark applied to precious metal jewellery by a government-authorised Assay Office. It independently certifies the metal's purity and authenticity. In the UK, hallmarking dates back to 1300 and is protected by strict law, so when you see a full UK hallmark on a piece of Lily Blanche jewellery, you have complete assurance that it has been independently tested and meets all legal standards of fineness.

Which Assay Office hallmarks Lily Blanche jewellery?

Lily Blanche jewellery is mainly hallmarked by the Edinburgh Assay Office, one of four UK government-authorised Assay Offices. The Edinburgh hallmark features the world-famous castle mark, which has been in use since 1457, making it one of the oldest and most recognised hallmarks in the world. Some of our solid gold pieces are hallmarked by the London or Birmingham Assay Offices.

What do the individual marks in the Lily Blanche hallmark mean?

Each element of the hallmark tells part of the story of your piece:

  • Maker's mark: the letters in the surrounding shape identify the jewellery as Lily Blanche.
  • Metal purity mark: numbers indicating the type and fineness of the precious metal.
  • Scottish lion rampant: the traditional fineness symbol used in Scotland.
  • Castle mark: identifies Edinburgh as the city where the piece was tested and marked.
  • Date letter: the letter representing the year in which the piece was assayed.
Are Lily Blanche gold vermeil lockets hallmarked?

Yes. Gold vermeil pieces have a sterling silver base, so they are hallmarked with the UK sterling silver hallmark. This is the correct and legally recognised hallmark for vermeil jewellery, and it provides the same independent guarantee of quality and metal purity as any other full UK hallmark.

Do all Lily Blanche lockets carry a hallmark?

Yes. All Lily Blanche lockets are hallmarked by the Edinburgh Assay Office. This is our commitment to quality and transparency: every locket you receive has been independently tested and certified, giving you complete confidence in the precious metal content of your piece.

Does a hallmark add value to my jewellery?

Absolutely. A full UK hallmark is a mark of provenance and quality that has been trusted for over 700 years. Hallmarked pieces are independently verified, legally protected, and highly collectable. Owning a hallmarked piece of Lily Blanche jewellery means you hold something with a certified history, which adds both sentimental and lasting material value.