# Hallmarking Act 1973, Paragraph 16


(1) A mixed material article shall not be hallmarked unless, upon assay, each precious metal is of a standard of fineness not less than the minimum fineness for that precious metal and sub-paragraph (2) or (3) applies.
(2) If the article includes base metal the base metal part must be clearly distinguishable in appearance (either by the colour of that part or by having struck on it the name of that metal, or the word “metal”, in a manner which complies with any regulations made by the Council) from any precious metal.
(3) If the article does not include base metal the condition in sub-paragraph (4) or (5) must apply.
(4) The condition in this sub-paragraph is that—
(a) the other materials must be clearly distinguishable from any precious metal part,
(b) they must not be plated so as to resemble any precious metal or be of a colour which resembles any precious metal,
(c) their extent must be clearly visible, and
(d) the precious metal part must be of a thickness of not less than 100 micrometres.
(5) The condition in this sub-paragraph is that in respect of any article in which the other materials are wholly or mainly enclosed by precious metal—
(a) the article has been so manufactured as to be capable of being hallmarked before it is filled, and
(b) there has been struck on the article the word “filled” in a manner which complies with any regulations made by the Council.
(6) Paragraph (b) of sub-paragraph (5) does not apply in the case of the handle to a knife, fork or spoon if the quantity of filling in the handle is not more than is necessary for joining.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1973/43/schedule/2/paragraph/16 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/hallmarking-act-1973/schedule-2/paragraph-16
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.