How We Date Pre-Loved Jewellery at David Christopher
At David Christopher, we’re passionate about curating a collection of pre-loved jewellery that tells a story. Each piece we offer carries its own unique history, and one of the most fascinating aspects of our work is determining the age of these timeless treasures. But how do we accurately date our pre-loved jewellery? The answer lies in a time-honoured British tradition — hallmarking.
What Is a Hallmark?
A hallmark is an official stamp applied to precious metal items, such as gold, silver, and platinum, to certify their metal content and authenticity. In the UK, hallmarking is overseen by an independent body known as the Assay Office — a government-authorised organisation that has been protecting consumers and valuing craftsmanship for centuries.
Each hallmark typically contains a combination of four key elements:
- The maker’s mark (who made the piece),
- The metal purity mark (e.g., 375 for 9ct gold),
- The Assay Office mark (e.g., London, Birmingham),
- The date letter or symbol.
It’s this fourth component — the date mark — that gives us a window into the past.
Date Letters: A Timeline of Jewellery
Every year, each Assay Office in the UK assigns a unique letter and stamp shape to denote the year in which a piece was tested and marked. For example, one year may feature the letter ‘F’ in a square, while the next might use ‘G’ in a shield. These date symbols change annually, making them a reliable way to estimate when a piece was hallmarked — and often, when it was made.
At David Christopher, our team is trained to read and interpret these marks using official guides and historical records. With over 700 years of hallmarking history to draw upon, we’re able to date pieces back to the 18th century or earlier with remarkable precision.
Why It Matters
Knowing the age of a piece isn’t just about curiosity. It plays a crucial role in evaluating authenticity, provenance, and value. Customers seeking vintage or antique jewellery can trust that every item in our pre-loved collection has been thoroughly inspected — including analysis of its hallmarks.
We work closely with our in-house Goldsmith and rely on the expertise of our trained valuers to ensure each piece meets our high standards of quality and integrity. Whether it’s a Georgian ring or a vintage 1970s pendant, our hallmarking knowledge helps us celebrate the story behind every item.
Shop With Confidence
When you buy pre-loved jewellery from David Christopher, you’re not just buying a beautiful item — you’re owning a piece of history. And with hallmarking as our trusted guide, we make sure every date is as accurate as the cut of the gem.
