Rings & Jewellery
UK Wedding Ring Hallmarks Explained: What 375, 585, 750, 950 and 925 Mean
·The Wedding Ring Blog Editorial Team
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A UK hallmark is not simply a decorative stamp. It is an independent verification of precious-metal fineness and one of the oldest forms of consumer protection in jewellery.
The three compulsory parts of a full UK hallmark
- Sponsor’s or maker’s mark
- Fineness mark
- Assay Office mark
| Mark | Common meaning in UK jewellery |
|---|---|
| 375 | 9 carat gold |
| 585 | 14 carat gold |
| 750 | 18 carat gold |
| 916 | 22 carat gold |
| 950 | Common platinum fineness mark |
| 925 | Sterling silver |
Why the shape around the number matters
The number tells you fineness, but the surrounding symbol helps identify the metal.
Which wedding rings legally need hallmarking?
GOV.UK guidance says items sold as precious metal must be hallmarked when they exceed the relevant exemption weight.
What a hallmark does not tell you
A hallmark verifies precious-metal fineness. It does not grade craftsmanship, comfort, stone quality or whether the design suits your lifestyle.
Official guidance
Read the British Hallmarking Council / GOV.UK practical hallmarking guidance.
Watch
See hallmarking explained
A clear explainer on UK precious-metal hallmarking and why testing matters.
