Hallmarks of the World
A hallmark is the row of tiny stamps that tells you what a piece of precious metal is — who made it, how pure it is, and who vouches for it. But there is no single system. Every country we map has its own, and the differences are the story.
Hallmark Calculator
Translate a purity you know into how any country marks it — gold, silver, platinum, palladium — or compare two countries side by side.
One hall, one word
The word hallmark is literal. It comes from Goldsmiths' Hall in London, where, from 1300, precious metal had to be brought to be tested and struck. That makes Britain the origin — which is exactly why its leopards and lions can look unfamiliar elsewhere: they are the first of their kind, not the global norm.
True independent assay — an office that tests the metal before it can be sold — is actually the exception. Most of the world relies on the maker's own stamp, backed by law or trade custom. The one thread tying systems together is the Common Control Mark — a set of balance scales, created by the 1972 Hallmarking Convention and recognised across member states.
How the world marks metal
Independent assay
An independent office tests the metal and strikes the mark — the original sense of a hallmark.
Mandatory maker's mark
Marking is required by law, but the maker certifies it — often with a registered mark and standards oversight.
Voluntary marking
No compulsory mark. Quality is shown by stamps governed by general law or trade convention.
By country
Independent assay
United Kingdom
Compulsory independent assay since 1300 — the world's oldest system.
Switzerland
Compulsory state assay for watch-cases; voluntary for other jewellery.
India
Compulsory BIS assay + traceable HUID for gold (since 2021).
Israel
Compulsory independent assay for gold only; a Vienna Convention member.
Mandatory maker's mark
Italy
Mandatory maker's mark + fineness, under Chamber-of-Commerce oversight.
China & Hong Kong
Marking required by national standard (China) / marking orders (Hong Kong).
Belgium
Fineness + maker's mark + annual registration required; State assay optional.
Türkiye
Self-applied fineness + registered maker's mark; assay houses test samples.
South Korea
National standard (KS) + trade rules; maker's mark required, no state punch.
Voluntary marking
United States
No assay office. Quality marks optional, but a maker's trademark is required if used.
Japan
Voluntary certification by the Japan Mint, on request.
Germany
No assay office. Marking optional; the stamp design is fixed once used.
Thailand
No compulsory hallmarking; the 96.5% “Thai gold” convention is the signature.
Brazil
No assay office; fineness self-declared to a voluntary ISO-based standard.