Latest News For All Things Silver

March 28, 2022
By Client Admin

A Guide To English Silver Hallmarks

Silver gifts which are produced and sold within a commercial capacity will need an official hallmark. This provides the recipient with clear indication as to the purity of the piece, origins and other important information. These hallmarks come in a variety of symbols, with anything produced during the 21st century sometimes containing up to three.

What Are The Origins of Silver Hallmarks?

Edward I demanded purity of 925 parts per thousand to ensure all silver was made to sterling standard. This has now been with us for more than 700-years, where even in the present day, very stringent testing is conducted to indicate the purity of any silver.

What Are The Standard Silver Marks?

These marks are really important, not least how they clearly indicate the amount of pure silver which makes up your item. Hallmarks are implemented at offices based in Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and Sheffield. It’s widely accepted that the lion representing Britain is the most common.

What Are Duty Marks?

During a very specific period of time, there were also duty marks inscribed onto silver, the form of which would have either been a King or Queen depending on the monarch of the day. The name was rather appropriate given how this signified that duty had been paid.

What Are Commemorate Marks?

Over the course of history, there have been occasions where very special marks have been inscribed into silver. This could be to celebrate the reign of a monarch or to represent the dawn of a brand new century. What makes these so special would be their exclusivity to that period of time, and how they won’t ever be produced again. There’s also going to be a brand new symbol introduced this year to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The hallmark will be a celebration of this historic occasion.

Reading The Dates

There was a time where dates were a mandatory feature behind hallmarks. Dates were indicated with a letter, which suggests the year in which the silver was first assayed. Anyone collecting silver pieces should be wary of the fact that not until the 1970s did these dates represent just one year. Until then, these marks were done at different times within each year, which means the letter was sometimes used over two years.

Why Are Hallmarks Important?

We truly believe that silver is the most special commodity to hand someone as a gift. But that’s only if the silver is genuine, and this is why the hallmark system is crucial, otherwise lots of people could become the recipient of poor or even fake products. In some cases, people could be spending tons of money on silver items, so they’ll need reassurance that they're indeed purchasing something pure.

We Are Silver Specialists

The Silver Place can help you discover stunning silver gifts to mark special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. Choose from our growing range of quality items, all made with the purity you would expect from the finest silver on the marketplace. Simply get in contact with us directly for further information about the silver gifts we supply and how they can be the perfect present for you or your loved ones.

March 29, 2022
By Client Admin

What Makes Silver Gifts So Special?

Fancy treating your loved ones to something they can treasure for a lifetime? Silver gifts provide the ultimate representation that you truly care for someone, with their pristine finish being emblematic of the positive vibes associated with joyous occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. Whether it’s an elaborate piece of silver jewellery or a simple bookmark, the fact they’re made from silver will instantly transcend them into something made to dazzle and inspire. Here’s some of the many reasons silver has continually excelled within the realms of gift giving.

Silver is Pleasing On The Eye

Quite simply, the bright, shiny sparkle associated with silver is immensely pleasant on the eye. Not only this, but the neutral colour can perfectly compliment any palette, a huge benefit when putting together an outfit. There’s something truly classy about the presence of silver, especially given the lavish pieces often used during fine dining. It’s a gloriously neutral tone which also means additional colouring can be added to gifts without ever distorting its appearance.

Add a Personal Touch with Silver Engraving

Silver can be easily engraved, giving you further opportunities to really show someone how much they mean to you. There are many silver gifts which can have names, dates and other wording included. What better way to mark the birth of your child than with personalised silver keyrings with their birthdate inscribed. And using silver bookmarks with your initials etched somewhere will make this otherwise monotonous item feel that little extra special.

Silver is a True Mark of Quality

Unlike many alternatives, having something made from silver means you can be sure of its quality. That’s because many silver gifts come with hallmarks, which indicates the authenticity of the piece. Over the course of several decades, this has been a staple within our long and proud heritage. There are four offices in the UK where these are made, with the Hallmarks themselves indicating the origin of your piece. These are Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and Sheffield, so if your partner is proud of their origins, this could also be something else to consider when picking out gifts.

Silver Will Forever Be Fashionable

Trends come and fade away, but silver will never go out of fashion. Its simple yet elegant style is the perfect accompaniment to both contemporary and traditional design. For a gift with timeless class, silver is always a safe choice, no matter how much the world changes.

Silver is Always Affordable

Gift giving can be very expensive, and that’s especially the case when you opt for anything made from gold. With silver however, you’ll have something cheaper by comparison but still with the same reputation for excellence.

Light as a Feather

This mainly applies to pieces of silver jewellery, where loved ones will surely be pining to wear stunning items on a regular basis. The lightweight construct of silver makes this very much possible, so things like earrings, bracelets and cufflinks can be a permanent feature behind someone’s appearance without ever causing strain.

Discover The Perfect Gift at The Silver Place

Take a deep dive into our stunning range of silver gifts. We have a bustling collection of bookmarks, keyrings, candlesticks and much more. Get in contact with us directly for further assistance.