If you’re listing items of jewelry to sell with us, have you checked that the item has a hallmark?
Many countries have regulations around jewelry and its traceability, and we need to conform to those regulations while also protecting the buying community on Vestiaire Collective. That's why all items of jewelry listed for sale with us need to have a hallmark.
What is a hallmark?
A hallmark is a stamp used to identify a piece of jewelry’s purity or origin, found on items made of silver, gold and platinum. Hallmarks can be made up of numbers, such as 925 (the hallmark for silver) or even tiny pictures (did you know a leopard means the piece was made in London?)
What does a hallmark look like?
Hallmarks are small stamps imprinted directly into the precious metal, so you should be looking for the impression left by the stamp on the piece itself.
Hallmarks are very varied depending on the place of origin and the information included - they can include numbers or tiny pictures. You’ll find some helpful examples of hallmarks in the images below so you know what to look out for!
Where can I find a hallmark?
Hallmarks appear in different locations depending on the jewelry you are looking at. In the case of rings, you’ll find a hallmark on the inside of the band, while for necklaces you may find the hallmark on the clasp.
What happens if my item doesn’t have a hallmark?
The laws around jewelry and hallmarks can vary from country to country, and are designed to facilitate the cross-border trade of precious metal items and to protect buyers at the highest possible level. That’s why we ask that all jewelry items have a hallmark.
If we receive an item at one of the Vestiaire Collective hubs to be checked, the item will be refused and returned to you if:
No hallmark is found on the item
Or the item is processed in our French hub and its only country hallmark is from Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, Greece, Austria, Luxembourg or Turkey (Example: 1 hallmark silver 750 and one from Belgium on a jewel will be refused)
It’s always worth including clear photographs of all your hallmarks to be fully transparent about your item!
In the case that your item is being returned by the buyer to our French hub: If we found that the import hallmark is missing, we will proceed with re-hallmarking to ensure compliance with regulations around jewelry and enable you to sell your item from France.
If you’re not sure, we recommend having you consult with a jeweler before listing your item on Vestiaire Collective. This will provide you with all the information you need to create an accurate listing!