What does the orb hallmark mean?
Short answer
Orb and cross: platinum hallmarked in the UK.
A mark is a statement, not proof: it can be forged or struck on a plated piece. An assay confirms it (touchstone and acids, or X-ray fluorescence).
The stamp in detail
| Item | What the tables say |
|---|---|
| Stamp | orb |
| Class | Hallmark symbol |
| Platinum fineness | 950 parts per thousand (95 % platinum) |
| Legal standard (platinum 950) | United Kingdom, Vienna Convention states, France, United States |
| Source check | Checked against the sources listed below |
| Date clue | Not before 1975. The UK has hallmarked platinum since 2 January 1975. |
Related stamps
Other ways the same fineness is stamped: 950, PT950, PLAT.
Also in this group: lion passant, Britannia, leopard head, anchor, rose, castle, crown, sovereign head.
Frequently asked
What does orb mean on jewelry?
Orb and cross: platinum hallmarked in the UK.
Is the orb mark proof of the metal?
A mark is a statement, not proof: it can be forged or struck on a plated piece. An assay confirms it (touchstone and acids, or X-ray fluorescence).
Sources
- The Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office, History of hallmarking
- Assay Office Birmingham, timeline
- Hallmarking Act 1973, Schedule 2 (revised text)
- Vienna Convention on precious metals, Technical Decisions Rev. 13 (in force 1 Oct 2026)
- Douane française, table of guarantee marks (2009)
- FTC Jewelry Guides, 16 CFR 23.6 (platinum)
All sources are listed with the method on the sources page.