Hallmark
A hallmark is an official mark or series of marks struck on items made of metal. The purpose is to certify the content of metals such as platinum, gold, silver and in some countries, palladium.
In a more general sense, the term 'hallmark' can also be used to refer to any characteristic which signifies (signals) quality. So, in the 19th/20th centuries, marking steel cutlery as "made in Sheffield" was a guarantee of its quality. Historically, hallmarks were applied by a trusted party: the "guardians of the craft" or, more recently, by an assay office. Hallmarks are a guarantee of certain purity or fineness of the metal, as determined by official metal (assay) testing.
Hallmark Media
Jewelry hallmark: Dirce Repossi
A set of hallmarks on an English silver spoon. From left to right, the maker's mark of George Unite, the date letter (1889), the Birmingham Assay Office mark, the lion passant and the monarch's head tax-mark
Hallmark for gold
Closeup view of the hallmarks in an antique silver spoon from China
The Polish hallmarks 1963–1986
The French hallmarks 1798–1972
The French hallmarks 1838–1919 not official
The Swiss hallmarks used on the watch cases
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