Czech Hallmarks

What a hallmark is

A hallmark is like a small guide that reveals the secret of the fineness and origin of the precious metal in your jewellery. The symbol guarantees that the piece has passed careful inspection, either by the Czech Assay Office (Puncovní úřad) or another independent authority, at the level of the maker and the seller.

Thanks to hallmarks you can be certain that your jewel is made from the material it claims to be, and wear it with complete peace of mind. We recommend giving these small symbols the same attention as the overall quality of the piece.

Fineness marks

Fineness is expressed in parts per thousand: how much of the alloy, by weight, is pure precious metal. A mark of 585 means 585 parts of every 1000 are pure metal (58.5 %); a mark of 750 means 750 of every 1000 (75 %). The higher the number, the higher the proportion of pure metal in the alloy.

In the Czech system each metal has its own emblem, and a small number beside it indicates the fineness grade. Gold is marked with a stylised head; silver with an animal head; platinum with a royal crown.

Gold

For 14-carat gold you will most often see the mark 585, meaning 58.5 % of the alloy by weight is pure gold (585 of 1000). For 18-carat gold the mark is 750 (750 of 1000), indicating a higher proportion of pure gold in the alloy.

• 999/1000 · fine gold (24 ct)
• 986/1000 · historic Czech grade
• 900/1000 · 21.6 ct
• 750/1000 · 18 ct, the classic choice for High Jewellery
• 585/1000 · 14 ct, durable and widely used
• 375/1000 · 9 ct (convention mark)

Platinum

We also work in platinum, the rarest and densest of the classic jewellery metals. Naturally white, hypoallergenic and exceptionally durable, it holds gemstones with quiet strength and never needs plating to stay white, which makes it a favourite for pieces meant to last generations. In the Czech system platinum carries a royal crown emblem.

• 999/1000 · fine platinum
• 950/1000 · the standard for fine platinum jewellery (95 % pure)
• 900/1000
• 850/1000
• 800/1000

Platinum 950 is the grade we most often recommend: high purity, a naturally white lustre, and the security to hold an exceptional stone for a lifetime.

Silver

Silver is marked with an animal head and ranges from 999/1000 (fine silver) through 959, 925 (sterling, the most common grade), 900 and 835 to 800/1000.

The official chart

The Czech Assay Office publishes the complete set of hallmarks for gold, silver and platinum goods, including the convention marks recognised internationally.

Our promise

Every LA GEM piece is made in the precious metal and fineness stated in your contract and carries the appropriate Czech hallmark. When you hold one of our jewels, the little symbols along its edge tell the same story we do: genuine materials, honestly declared, made to last.