Jewellery Marking

Precious metals, such as silver, gold and platinum, have traditionally been stamped with some sort of mark to denote what exactly they are.

Personally, I employ a marking system similar to the Norwegian system of hallmarking. This system requires only that the designer craftsman stamps the piece with a silver standard mark (.925 which is the mark for Sterling Silver) accompanied by a maker’s mark - in my case “BS”

All my work is made from British Sterling Silver, purchased from reputable manufacturers in Birmingham and Hatton Garden, London. I personally guarantee that all precious metals used by me conform to this standard.

Work which has gold highlights incorporated into it (either 9 or 18 carat gold ) has this information in the item description in the Online Shop.

It should be noted that some very delicate pieces of jewellery, such as those made from very fine silver wire, cannot be stamped

Jewellery and silverware can be sent to Assay offices in Birmingham, Edinburgh, London or Sheffield which stamp marks onto the work to clarify their provenance such as the type of metal, the date of manufacture, the maker etc. If desired, I can send any piece to the Edinburgh Assay Office, where my maker’s mark is registered, and a full hallmark can be applied by laser. This, of course, incurs some extra expense and also time, but is certainly an option should that be required.

Bee Sanderson