We have discussed the importance of hallmarks in a previous blog, assisted by our friends at the Birmingham Assay Office. There is another mark, besides the hallmark, that holds a lot of information. The sponsor's or maker's mark lets us see who created the piece. This marking will help us authenticate, determine the age of an item, and reveal the history of the piece.

At the Birmingham Assay Office, this comprises of the initials of the person or company registering within a surrounding shield. 

Whether it is the scrolling script of Cartier or the more functional TIFFANY & CO., maker marks provide traceability and is a compulsory part of every hallmark struck. They are a stamp of authenticity from the designer or brand who made the item. In the case of the Little Drop Of Strength necklace to be sold next week in our Jewellery auction, designer Sally Hurman chose her initials as her sponsor mark.

The SJH mark chosen by the designer

It was really important to me that I chose a hallmark that was as relevant as possible - so it nods to the shape of a clover - for a little bit of extra luck for the wearer, from me.

Sally Hurman, designer A Little Drop Of Strength

Rather than the traditional struck mark which is applied using a punch, Sally opted for a laser mark.  Laser marking is the most recent form of hallmarking and Birmingham Assay Office has invested heavily in the latest technology to enable marks to be applied using laser technology.

It is a mark that will show anyone in the future the story of the Little Drop Of Strength. And what a story it is!

Little drop of strength hallmark