Hallmark

I was amazed when visiting a market recently how many traders are selling non-hallmarked items of jewellery. Please be aware that when buying gold, silver or platinum in the UK, regardless of where it may have been manufactured and whether it does, or does not contain stones or gems, that item must have a UK hallmark, dependant on the weight of the individual item, which is:
1 gram for gold, 7.78 grams for silver and 0.5 grams for platinum.
Please dont assume that if the silver you are buying has a 925 stamped on it this is a guarantee of quality. It isnt, and if what you are buying is above 7.78 grams and you are told its sterling silver that trader is breaking the law.