Ring specialist offers free online hallmark finder
Antique Jewellers Ltd, a UK-based antique ring specialist, has launched a free online hallmark finder to help collectors, dealers, valuers and jewellery-trade professionals quickly identify British hallmarks.
The tool provides an instant way to decode the tiny symbols stamped on antique and vintage jewellery, helping users to quickly determine a piece's gold or platinum purity, assay office location and hallmark date.
Hallmarks are the official stamps that certify precious-metal items and are essential for authenticating and valuing jewellery. Britain's hallmarking system, one of the most stringent in the world, dates back to 1300. Yet correctly identifying these marks often requires expert knowledge or time-consuming reference work.
"Decoding those symbols used to mean laboriously consulting hallmark reference books or charts," says Drew, Managing Director of Antique Jewellers. "We wanted to create a quick, accessible solution for everyone - whether you're verifying a family heirloom or cataloguing stock for an auction."
The Hallmark Finder is free to use, with no login or app download required. Through a visual step-by-step interface, users can select the numbers and symbols found on a piece of jewellery.
The tool then explains each hallmark - such as identifying a "375" stamp as 9-carat gold or an anchor symbol as the Birmingham Assay Office. It draws on over 300 years of verified UK hallmark records, covering all major symbols and date letters. Even if a user isn't sure about a specific symbol or letter, the tool provides an intuitive way to browse possibilities, making it easy to use even for beginners.
While printed guides and online databases for hallmark identification do exist, many are fragmented or difficult to navigate. Antique Jewellers' Hallmark Finder distinguishes itself by offering a comprehensive and user-friendly experience.
"There are other hallmark databases out there, but ours is designed to be extremely user-centric," Drew adds. "We've digitised hallmark charts and built an interactive guide so you don't need to be an expert to get an answer. And unlike some services, it's completely free."
Collectors and professionals are already praising the tool for its speed, ease, and accuracy. Being able to verify a hallmark instantly - whether at an antiques fair or during an appraisal - saves time and helps avoid costly mistakes in evaluating authenticity or value. For example, a dealer can enter a ring's hallmark into their phone and immediately confirm if it's 15-carat gold assayed in Chester - something that would otherwise take considerable time to check.
The tool's results are backed by verified data from UK assay offices and hallmarking history. Its database was built from official charts and historical references, ensuring alignment with established standards.
