Hallmarking
London Assay Office Dealers Notice
Hallmarking
It is a legal requirement for an Assay Office to hallmark articles containing precious metals if they are described as such.
There are however exemptions for items below certain weights - silver 7.78g, gold and palladium over 1g and platinum over 0.5g.
Maker's Registered Hallmark
I'm a registered member of The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office (London) and have my own registered hallmark.
Dealer's Notice
One of the requirements of the Hallmarking Act 1973 is that all dealers supplying precious metal jewellery (or other items made of precious metal) shall display a notice explaining the approved hallmarks.
This must be the notice produced by the British Hallmarking Council (BHC).