What is Hallmarking and Why Does It Matter?

When you buy a piece of jewellery from Burbi, you'll notice that our sterling silver pieces carry a hallmark. But what exactly is a hallmark, and why does it matter? We think it's one of the most important things to look for when buying silver jewellery — so let us explain.

What is a Hallmark?

A hallmark is an official mark stamped onto precious metal items to certify their purity. In the UK, hallmarking has been protecting consumers for over 700 years — making it one of the oldest forms of consumer protection in the world.

For sterling silver, the hallmark confirms that the metal is at least 92.5% pure silver — the standard required to be called "sterling silver". Without a hallmark, there's no independent guarantee of what you're actually buying.

Where Are Burbi Pieces Hallmarked?

All of our sterling silver pieces are hallmarked at the Birmingham Assay Office — one of only four assay offices in the UK, and one of the most respected in the world. The Birmingham Assay Office has been testing and hallmarking precious metals since 1773, and its anchor symbol is recognised globally as a mark of quality and integrity.

When you see that anchor on a Burbi piece, you know it has been independently tested and certified — not just by us, but by one of the UK's most trusted institutions.

What Does a Hallmark Include?

A UK hallmark typically includes several marks:

• The maker's mark — identifying the manufacturer or designer
• The purity mark — for sterling silver, this is 925 (representing 92.5% silver)
• The assay office mark — the anchor for Birmingham

Why Does It Matter When Buying Jewellery?

Unfortunately, not all jewellery sold as "silver" actually is. Without a hallmark, you have only the seller's word that the metal is what they claim. A hallmark gives you independent, legally recognised proof of quality.

At Burbi, we hallmark our pieces because we believe you deserve that assurance. We're proud of the quality of our work, and the Birmingham Assay Office hallmark is our way of backing that up with something official.

A Final Thought

Next time you're buying silver jewellery — from us or anyone else — look for the hallmark. It's a small mark that carries a very big guarantee. And when you see the Birmingham anchor on a Burbi piece, you can wear it with complete confidence.