Hallmarking is a centuries-old practice that guarantees the authenticity and quality of precious metals. It ensures that the metal used in your jewellery meets legal standards of purity, giving you confidence in the piece you own. At Lorn Jean®, each item is hallmarked at the Edinburgh Assay Office, a hallmarking authority with a history dating back to 1457.

A full UK hallmark consists of several key symbols that guarantee the quality and purity of the precious metal. Each hallmark includes:

1. Sponsor’s Mark: This unique mark identifies the maker or brand of the jewellery. For Lorn Jean®, this is the LJ Shield Mark, ensuring that the piece is an original Lorn Jean® creation.
2. Fineness (Purity) Mark: This symbol guarantees the purity of the metal used. For example, sterling silver is marked as 925, meaning it contains 92.5% pure silver.
3. Assay Office Mark: This symbol identifies where the metal was tested and hallmarked. Lorn Jean® jewellery is hallmarked at the Edinburgh Assay Office, represented by the Edinburgh Castle Mark.
4. Date Letter (Optional): Some pieces may feature a date letter, which indicates the year the item was hallmarked.

Hallmarks provide transparency, trust, and assurance, ensuring that your jewellery meets the highest legal standards. In the UK, hallmarking has been legally required for precious metals since the 14th century and is protected by law. Each hallmark guarantees that your jewellery has been independently tested for purity by one of the country’s official Assay Offices, ensuring its authenticity and quality.

Each hallmark serves as a promise that the metal used in your jewellery has passed rigorous tests for quality and purity. By carrying the hallmark, every piece of Lorn Jean® jewellery reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence, authenticity, and craftsmanship.

These symbols preserve the value and provenance of your jewellery, offering peace of mind knowing that it has been tested and approved by the Edinburgh Assay Office, one of the UK’s oldest and most respected institutions. At Lorn Jean®, hallmarking is not just a formality—it’s a symbol of the trust and dedication we put into every creation.

You can learn more about hallmarking and its significance by visiting the Edinburgh Assay Office’s official website here.