- FAQ's -  
How can I help?

Helen Cross Jewellery is based at my tiny studio in Norfolk UK. It’s a beautiful part of the world, located on the eastern edge of the UK and mainly rural in character. Norfolk is an area of gently rolling agricultural fields, scattered woodlands, rivers and open water, marshes, sandy beaches along a long coastline and huge open skies. The landscape is scattered with ancient villages and market towns with the medieval city of Norwich which located at its heart. I'm lucky to live near to the Norfolk Broads National Park, an area of rivers and open water lakes (known locally as Broads) which are a haven for wildlife and a popular destination for holidaymakers.

I offer free shipping to all addresses in the UK using the Royal Mail Tracked and Signed for service. Dispatched parcels have a unique number which can be tracked online via the Royal Mail website and safe delivery is confirmed by a signature for your peace of mind.

Over time, the surface of Sterling Silver items will tarnish. This is a natural process which occurs when the metal is exposed to air and results in the surface of the metal turning a dull blue/brown colour. When Sterling Silver jewellery becomes tarnished it can be cleaned very easily using a specialist silver polishing cloth. The use of silver dip is not recommended. To keep Sterling Silver looking at its best: Avoid contact with liquids or harsh chemicals, such as perfume, sea water, mayonnaise, ammonia, household bleach and chemical cleaners, chlorinated pool water, hair spray and sweat. Ensure your jewellery is not exposed to humidity and is not stored in direct sunlight. Wear your Sterling Silver Jewellery frequently as in wear jewellery is much slower to tarnish.

Precious metals (like silver or gold) are usually alloyed (or mixed) with other metals to strengthen them and to make them easier to work with. As it's impossible to detect the amount of precious metal used in an alloy by sight a system of testing and quality marking for precious metal content was developed in the UK called Hallmarking. The London Assay office, which is the oldest of four in the UK, is based at Goldsmiths Hall in the City of London and can trace its origins back to the 1300's when the marking of metal for purity was introduced by King Edward 1. All precious metals hallmarked in London carry the leopards head mark, along with other marks showing who sent the item to be marked, the type of metal used, where it was assayed and the year that the item was tested. Metals can be hallmarked by laser or by using a struck mark generally inside the item. It’s a legal requirement for silver over 7.78g, gold and palladium over 1g, and platinum over 0.5g to have a UK recognised hallmark. I am proud to hallmark my work at London Assay Office where my hexagonal HMC makers punch is registered. This punch identifies items that I have designed and made and is unique to my work, a guarantee of both the quality of the metal used and of myself as the maker. For more information on Hallmarking and the sale of precious metals please download the dealers notice below.

All jewellery sold in my shop and made by me will have a full UK hallmark, when the weight of the item triggers that legal requirement. My sponsors stamp (HMC) is lodged with The Goldsmiths Company Assay Office at Goldsmiths Hall in London. The Full Traditional Hallmark on my work comprises five separate small marks:- Sponsor's mark (HMC set within a hexagon design ) Traditional fineness mark (A Lion for Sterling Silver) Millesimal fineness mark (A number for the amount of precious metal, 925 for Silver) Assay Office mark (The Leopards head design for London) Date letter mark (A letter showing the year marked, 2021 is W, 2022 will be X) Hallmarking guarantees the quality of the metal I use in my designs, confirms the item is one that I have made and and allows you to purchase with confidence for those special moments.