Hallmark guide
What the number hallmarked on your gold means
The three-digit number is the fineness: parts of pure metal per thousand. 375 is 37.5% gold, which is 9ct. Pick a number below for what it is worth per gram today.
| Hallmark | Means | Metal value / g | We pay / g |
|---|---|---|---|
| 375 | Gold: 37.5% pure gold, sold as 9ct | £35.45 | £31.20 |
| 500 | Palladium: 50% pure palladium, known as palladium 500 | £12.16 | £9.12 |
| 585 | Gold: 58.5% pure gold, sold as 14ct | £55.31 | £48.67 |
| 750 | Gold: 75% pure gold, sold as 18ct | £70.91 | £62.40 |
| 916 | Gold: 91.6% pure gold, sold as 22ct | £86.60 | £76.21 |
| 925 | Silver: 92.5% pure silver, known as sterling silver | £1.09 | £0.77 |
| 950 | Platinum: 95% pure platinum, known as platinum 950 | £34.47 | £27.58 |
| Palladium: 95% pure palladium, known as palladium 950 | £23.10 | £17.33 | |
| 958 | Silver: 95.8% pure silver, known as britannia silver | £1.13 | £0.79 |
| 999 | Gold: 99.9% pure gold, sold as 24ct | £94.45 | £83.11 |
| Silver: 99.9% pure silver, known as fine silver | £1.18 | £0.83 |
Live prices, updated 14 Nov 2026, 02:41. “We pay” is our scrap rate for clean, hallmarked items, confirmed when we test them.
Other marks you will see
- Crown
- The traditional UK standard mark for gold, often beside the fineness number.
- Leopard's head, anchor, rose, castle
- The Assay Office that tested the item: London, Birmingham, Sheffield or Edinburgh.
- Two or three initials in a shield
- The sponsor's mark: the maker or importer who sent the item for testing.
- 9K, 14K, 18K
- Karat marks from abroad. Not a UK hallmark, but the gold content is real; we test it.
- GP, RG, HGE, 1/20 12K
- Gold plated, rolled gold or gold filled: a thin layer over base metal. Almost no gold value.
- Lion passant
- Sterling silver tested in England.
No hallmark? We test it anyway
Older, foreign and handmade pieces are often unmarked, and marks wear off. We check every item with an XRF analyser, which reads the alloy without damaging it, so an unmarked piece is paid for on what it actually contains. A mark is a shortcut, not the price.
Hallmarking Act Dealer's Notice
Under the Hallmarking Act 1973 a dealer must display the British Hallmarking Council's Dealer's Notice, which explains the compulsory marks and the weight limits below which items need not be hallmarked. The notice is displayed at our counter and the official version is published by the British Hallmarking Council. We describe an item as gold, silver or platinum only when it is hallmarked or we have tested it.
Found the number?
Use the calculator for an instant figure, or send us a photo with your order and we'll confirm it.