Silver Hallmarking and Quality
Silver jewellery is made from sterling silver - 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper.
Silver is a very soft metal and 100% pure silver is not suitable for jewellery because it is too soft and would easily bend and go out of shape.
There are very strict legal requirements that must be adhered to when retailing jewellery in the UK.
UK law requires any sterling silver product over 7.78 grams in weight to be hallmarked by one of the four UK independent Assay Offices.
A hallmark is not be to confused with a manufacturers '925' stamp. '925' stamped into a piece of silver jewellery does not guarantee quality or that the product is really sterling silver.
A UK hallmark must also be present by law, otherwise the product can not be legally sold as sterling silver!
One of the requirements of the Hallmarking Act 1973 is that all dealers supplying precious metal jewellery shall display a notice explaining the approved hallmarks.
A legal UK hallmark consists of:
- Sponsors Mark:
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Sponsors mark - this is the unique mark assigned to each maker/importer that is registered with the assay office.
Silvertime is registered with Birmingham Assay Office. All our silver jewellery that we import is sent to Birmingham Assay Office for independent testing and hallmarking as required by UK law. Our sponsors mark is 'ST'.
- Standard Mark:
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Standard Mark - this mark denotes the standard of metal, eg. 925 for sterling silver, 375 for 9ct gold.
- Assay Office Mark:
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The Anchor symbol is the mark to show the product has been hallmarked at Birmingham Assay Office.
When we send our jewellery to Assay random pieces are cut and scrapped so that the silver can be tested for purity.
- Silvertime Jewellery - Quality Guaranteed:
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All our products are Nickel free and regularly tested. All gems stones used in our jewellery are also randomly tested.
We have been retailing jewellery for over 20 years. We have been trading on the internet since 1999.
Our wealth of experience guarantees that we only select the finest quality jewellery to include in our product range. We work closely with British manufacturers, UK importers and overseas manufacturers.
The only reason our prices are affordable and highly competitive is because we buy in large quantities and our overheads are low due to now being an internet only business. Many of our products are produced by the same manufacturers that supply exclusive high street jewellers.
We really do offer quality and exceptional value for money together with unrivalled service and customer support.
Our Best Selling Jewellery in the last month
Quality silver pendant chain. Rounded curb chain (as opposed to diamond cut curb chain) suitable for use with pendants. This is a premium quality solid sterling silver curb chain fitted with a larger than usual clasp measuring 6mm. Finished with a patented anti tarnish finish 1.75mm wide and 1.10mm depth.
from £5.70
Solid sterling silver hallmarked curb chain 4.3mm width, superb quality high polished finish, fitted with a premium lobster class. This is one of our best selling silver curb chains.
from £37.00
Highly polished solid sterling silver heart tag bracelet with t-bar fastening. One of our best sellers over the last 15 years. Available in a choice of three lengths
from £66.00
Solid 925 sterling silver 3.5mm width diamond cut curb chain. Narrow unisex curb chain necklace
from £29.00
Premium quality diamond cut solid sterling silver curb chain with a good depth of 1.9mm and a width of 4.9mm.
from £66.00
Mirror finish highly polished curb chain, 9.2mm width which is medium to heavy gauge. Classic shaped flat diamond cut curb links, stunning quality. Available in lengths from 18 inches - 46cm and 20 inches - 51cm weights from 60 to 67 grams depending on chosen length.
from £164.00
A beautiful highly polished silver chain, this stunning chain is great to wear on its own or for use with a pendant. The round braided link is very flexible and smooth, perfect for larger pendants. We offer this Spiga chain in two different widths, this one being the largest at 2.50mm diameter. 16 to 36 inch lengths available.
from £24.00
Italian made 4.5mm diameter silver Belcher hallmarked chain. Specially made for us with better quality components and durable lobster clasp. This is a superb premium quality chain of medium weight from 20 grams to 36 grams. Suitable for men and women.
from £44.00
Sterling silver unisex belcher chain of a medium weight that would suit a man or woman, not too heavy but not too light. The link diamter is 3.90mm, we offer lengths from 18 to 42 inches (46 cm to 107 cm) , fitted with a premium quality lobster clasp.
from £42.00
2mm wide solid sterling silver strong pendant chain. The highly polished chains are fitted with a good size 6mm clasp and are available in extra long lengths up to 34 inches (86cm). Perfect for medium sized pendants
from £9.39
Solid sterling silver unisex diamond cut rope chain. This stunning chain measures 3.3mm diameter and is available in lengths from 16 inches (41cm) to 30 inches (76cm)
from £39.00
13mm (half an inch) width solid sterling silver curb bracelet, with a link depth of 4.2mm. 53 to 61 grams depending on length. Highly polished quality finish with secure lobster clasp fastening.
from £124.00
3.5mm width solid sterling silver figaro chain. The Figaro is a popular italian chain style comprising of 3 small circular links and one elongated oval link then repeating.
from £25.00
Sterling silver box belcher chain, 3.65mm width. We offer this design of chain in three gauges, this one being the smallest gauge. The box belcher design is a masculine and stylish design of chain becoming increasingly popular.
from £76.00
13mm wide heavy solid sterling silver curb chain. Wide and chunky curb chain available in a wide choice of lengths. 4.5 ounce (142 grams) weight for 20 inch length
from £309.00
Strong quality solid sterling silver heavy pendant chain. Rounded curb chain ideal for heavier pendants. Massive choice of lengths up to 42 inches.
from £21.50
6.5mm wide solid sterling silver curb bracelet. Medium width and weight curb bracelet suitable for men and women.
from £33.00
8mm wide solid sterling silver Miami Cuban curb chain. Premium quality hand finished and hand polished cuban curb chain. Heavy weight chain starting at 87g in 51cm length
from £239.00
Heavy men's solid sterling silver curb chain, 11.3mm wide curb links. Superb quality finish fitted with a quality durable lobster clasp. 142 grams - 171 grams which is 2.7 to 4.4 troy ounces depending on length chosen.
from £349.00
11.3mm width solid sterling silver curb bracelet, fitted with quality lobster clasp. Available in 9 inch and 9.5 inch lengths weighing up to 50 grams. This is one of our best selling wide curb bracelets since we introduced it in 2011.
from £116.00
