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Thread: Can fine silver chains be hallmarked 999 on end cap if a sterling clasp is used

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
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    Default Can fine silver chains be hallmarked 999 on end cap if a sterling clasp is used

    Hello peeps,
    I need some help with regards to hallmarks.
    I have made some 3.5 mm fine silver loop in loop chain. Can the chain still be hallmarked 999 on the soldered fine silver end caps if i use a pre-hallmarked small 925 lobster for the clasp?
    I don't fancy making a fine silver clasp as it would be either far too soft and delicate or too big and bulky.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
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    Central London
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stretch View Post
    Hello peeps,
    I need some help with regards to hallmarks.
    I have made some 3.5 mm fine silver loop in loop chain. Can the chain still be hallmarked 999 on the soldered fine silver end caps if i use a pre-hallmarked small 925 lobster for the clasp?
    I don't fancy making a fine silver clasp as it would be either far too soft and delicate or too big and bulky.
    As understand it, if the sterling fastener is not soldered on, the piece can be hallmarked 999. If the fastener has been soldered it Wil be hallmarked 925.
    A call to the assay office would verify this. Dennis.

  3. #3
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    Feb 2015
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    ahaaa ! I see , that makes perfect sense - if they are not soldered together then the two separate pieces of silver can retain their individual identities. I did phone up an assay office a good while ago with the same question but i don't think i did a good enough job of explaining what i meant. I understand that two different hallmarks on one piece could be confusing but being able to separate the two avoids this. Thank you loads for replying Dennis.

  4. #4
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    Is there not that anomaly that if something has to be removed with 2 prs of pliers then it becomes part of the main piece soldered or not? Confirmation from an assay office would be good

  5. #5
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    Mar 2011
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    Manchester UK
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    I'm guessing if its on the same piece and integral to that piece it will be marked to the lowest carat so sterling as it poss doesn't meet 999 assay probs. if it was a 999 pendant that can be detached from a 925 then it would be assayed 999

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
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    I think what Dennis said makes more sense. A fine silver chain is a fine silver chain and a clasp is just a clasp. If the clasp is taken off then why should the chain be left with no hallmark? I could understand it if the chain was made up of alternate fine and sterling links but it isn't. It's a slinky full on fine silver chain of beauty. Why should a cheapo tiny 925 clasp overshadow the chain. It's ALL about the chain in my opinion. The clasp is just holding the two ends together and not a focal point of the piece. The clasp could be removed and replaced with a leather tie so the chain should have its own 999 hallmark but if you take the chain away all you have is a tiny hallmarked 925 clasp. Anyway that's how i see it.I'm a big fan of fine silver but unfortunately it's not much use for making tiny strong clasps.
    Last edited by Stretch; 29-07-2020 at 11:44 PM.

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