Silver hallmarks in Switzerland
Recognize official Swiss marks and master hallmarks.
At a glanceIn Switzerland, hallmarking precious metals is strictly governed by the Federal Act on the Control of the Trade in Precious Metals. Correctly identifying hallmarks on vintage tableware, hollowware, or silver watch cases guarantees alloy authenticity. This guide deciphers official Swiss silver marks.
Official Swiss Federal Guarantee Hallmarks for Silver
| Legal Silver Fineness | Historic Swiss Mark (1933–1995) | Modern Mark (Since 1995) | Mandatory Co-Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 925‰ (Sterling Silver) | Duck (Large or small) | '925' + Assay Office mark | Maker's responsibility mark |
| 800‰ (Standard Tableware) | Duck Head (in profile) | '800' + Assay Office mark | Maker's responsibility mark |
| 999‰ (Fine Silver Bars) | Assayer-Melter certified stamp | 'Ag 999' / Certified Assayer | Refiner's mark |
Three Required Marks on Swiss Silver
1. Fineness in Thousandths: The number *'925'* or *'800'* stamped legibly.
2. Maker's Responsibility Mark: Registered with the Central Office for Precious Metals Control in Bern.
3. Official Guarantee Mark: Stamped by federal assayers during official batch inspections.
Warning: Silverplated Metal vs Solid Silver
Tableware marked with 'ARGIT', 'ALPACCA', or numbers in squares like '90' or '100':
- Denotes the grams of pure silver used to electroplate a set of 24 brass or nickel-silver utensils.
- This is NOT solid silver and holds zero melt scrap value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Silver Hallmarks
Where are hallmarks stamped on cutlery?
Typically on the back of the handle for forks and spoons, or on the ferrule for dinner knives.
Where are Swiss precious metals assay offices located?
Biel/Bienne, Geneva, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle, Chiasso, and Zurich.
Buy Investment Silver in High-Security Vaults
Buy and store physical gold in secure Zurich or Geneva vaults at direct live LBMA spot rates.