Purity, the Assay Office, and the EU

The British hallmark is an important 700-year-old tradition which guarantees purity, and makes every piece of silver or gold jewellery traceable for current and future generations.

In common with all silversmiths, Jo Thorne has a unique mark that identifies her as the designer. The silver used in our jewellery and tiaras is Sterling, which refers to the minimum .925 grade required for British silversmithing and Assay Office hallmarking. See this page - sterling silver tiaras - for care instructions.

British hallmarking recently came under threat from a proposed Italian directive to the EU which would have effectively allowed all manufacturers to mark their own products, thereby eliminating

the need for an independent Assay Office hallmark. In a massive show of support for the British Assay Office, the directive was vigourously opposed by the industry, collectors, retailers, and lobbying groups in Britain. Other European countries with similar hallmarking systems joined the opposing voices, and thankfully the directive was shelved.

STERLING SILVER TIARA FROM THE PASSIONFLOWER COLLECTION