Hallmarking and law

[MentalSarcasm]

I've just received some sterling silver ear hooks that I bought from someone on Ebay.

There is no "925" hallmarking stamp on them, am I right in thinking that these means they aren't "legally" sterling silver? Or is the numbered stamp just a recommendation rather than a legal thing?

[Famous Graham]

The 925 refers to 92.5% silver.

So either they're less than that, or they're not English (as not many other countries have a stringent hallmarking requirement for sterling).

Do they have any hallmarking at all?

Edited by Famous Graham on Thursday 26th February 11:02

[MentalSarcasm]

Graham- I know what it means But these were advertised as sterling silver and now I've gone back to the shop it says "stamped 925", well these definitely aren't.

Time to go shout at someone.

[Famous Graham]

Sorry, I didn't mean to lob hard-boileds at your gran Was to set the context for my next remark about why it might not have the 925 stamp. I believe 800 can be classed as silver now, but doesn't have a corresponding 800 stamp (iirc - my antique dealer mum explained all this to me about 2 years ago )

[joewilliams]

The 925 stamp isn't a guarantee, but then you wouldn't normally find proper silver hallmarks on ebay earrings.

A jeweller will be able to test for you.

Of course, if the seller has said that they're stamped and they're not, you can just send them back. How much were they?