Hallmarking at MAC
Hallmarking at MAC
What is hallmarking?
Hallmarking is the practise of marking precious metals with symbols and numbers, in order to prove the value or type of metal used to create jewellery. This legality was first enforced in 1973, and primarily helps to protect buyers from fraud, but also offers a form of identification. Hallmarking essentially proves the metal or jewellery has been independently tested and certified.
Hallmarking at MAC
MAC has a partnership with the Birmingham Assay Office - a company which hallmarks silver, gold and precious metal jewellery. From this partnership, a custom hallmark for MAC has been developed.
Course participants and tutors are able to send their jewellery created on-site at MAC to our partners The Assay Office, where it will be officially hallmarked with MAC's Sponsor Mark.
Payments
The standard hallmarking charges have been discounted for MAC jewellery makers.
There is a minimum parcel charge of £10 per participant (RRP £25) to have your jewellery hallmarked. Use the price list below to calculate your parcel cost.
Please note, this price is subject to VAT. MAC charges an addition £1.95 per parcel admin fee.
*Parcels sent to the Birmingham Assay Office may only contain jewellery made on-site at MAC.
Submitting your jewellery
Course participants and artist tutors must complete a submission form to hallmark their jewellery.
Please include your full name in the 'Your Ref/PO Ref' box, located under the 'Your details' section of the submission form.
You will need to indicate the metal standard, quantities and any optional/additional marks.
You may group different jewellery items under one submission form if they are the same metal purity. If the metal purity differs between items, you will need to submit separate forms. Jewellery will be rejected by the Assay Office if the metal purity does not meet exacting standards. Items must be finished in order to submit as no more metal can be added after Hallmarking.
Classes may submit jewellery as a group. One named individual must take responsibility for the order and paying the invoice. Jewellery will only be collected from and returned to this individual.
FAQs
When can I submit my jewellery?
We will be collecting jewellery for hallmarking during week 10 of our twelve week courses.
Autumn 2025 | Week commencing Mon 24 November
Spring 2026 | Week commencing Mon 9 March
Summer 2026 | Week commencing Mon 22 June
When can I collect my hallmarked jewellery?
Jewellery will be available to collect during week 12 of your term course.
Autumn 2025 | Week commencing Mon 8 December
Spring 2026 | Week commencing Mon 23 March
Summer 2026 | Week commencing Mon 6 July
I'm participating in multiple terms, how should I submit my jewellery?
If you are completing more than one term course with us during autumn 2025, spring 2026 and summer 2026, you can:
- Submit your jewellery in week 10 of each term you take with us
- Collect your jewellery from multiple terms and submit during week 10 of your final term.
There is a minimum parcel charge of £10 per parcel (RRP £25) plus £1.95 admin fee to have jewellery hallmarked. Submitting jewellery made across multiple terms will not affect the minimum charge if you submit items all together.
Please direct all submission form queries to learning@macbirmingham.co.uk
Terms and Conditions
By submitting these articles you agree to them being stored at MAC pending delivery to the Assay Office and collection once hallmarked. Any liability of MAC shall be limited to the raw value of the metal based on its weight.
Exclusive offer
Hallmarking registration
Jewellery-making participants can register for their own Sponsor Mark. Please find out more by contacting learning@macbirmingham.co.uk
Online training
MAC's course participants can enjoy 10% off The Assay Office's online hallmarking courses. Find out more.