Skip to main content
assay-mark

assay-mark

9.9
A small stamped sign on a gold or silver item that shows its purity and maker
  • noun
  • /əˈseɪ mɑːrk/
  • UK
translation icon : sello de garantía
  • The jewelry had a clear assay-mark indicating its quality.

Examples

  • She checked the silverware for an assay-mark before buying it at the antique shop.

  • The absence of an assay-mark raised doubts about the necklace's authenticity.

  • Every gold ring sold in the UK must carry an assay-mark to guarantee its purity.

  • I noticed the assay-mark on the gold ring.

  • This necklace has a visible assay-mark indicating it is made of genuine gold.

  • The antique dealer verified the assay-mark on the silverware to confirm its authenticity.

  • Each piece of jewelry is required to display an assay-mark to guarantee its quality.

Synonyms

stamp
vsassay-mark
73 1.0

A mark made by pressing or printing to show official approval

is specifically a stamped mark for metals that proves origin and genuineness
marker
vsassay-mark
71 2.0

A sign or symbol that shows who something belongs to

is a specialized stamped sign used to certify metal origin and genuineness
marking
vsassay-mark
69 3.0

A pattern or sign on something that helps you tell it apart

is a specific stamped certificate for metals proving origin and authenticity
hallmark
vsassay-mark
  • Specialized
3 5.3

A small official mark on gold or silver that shows where it was made and how pure it is

is mainly about proving genuine origin and authenticity rather than purity
mintmark
vsassay-mark
  • Specialized
1 9.1

A small letter or sign on a coin that shows the place it was made

focuses on certifying origin and authenticity for precious metal items rather than coin origin
countermark
vsassay-mark
  • Specialized
9.3

A mark stamped on coins, documents, or goods to show they are official

is the original single certification mark for metal authenticity rather than a reissue

Surface Forms

assay-mark singular
assay-marks plural

Morphology

assay-mark = assay + mark (transparent) = assay + mark

The meaning is a literal compound of 'assay' (a test/certification) and 'mark' (a stamp), so the purpose of the mark is directly inferable from the parts.

Etymology

The word assay-mark comes from assay, an old word meaning 'to test', and mark, a sign. An assay was the test used to check the quality of metal, so an assay-mark is the stamp that shows the metal passed the test and is real and pure.