Editing Hallmark (section)

===Prerequisites to hallmarking===
Many nations require, as a prerequisite to official hallmarking, that the maker or sponsor itself marks upon the item a responsibility mark and a claim of fineness.  Responsibility marks are also required in the US if metal fineness is claimed, even though there is no official hallmarking scheme there.  Nevertheless, in nations with an official hallmarking scheme, the hallmark is only applied after the item has been [[Metallurgical assay|assayed]] by an independent party to determine that its purity conforms not only to the standards set down by the law but also with the maker's claims as to metal content.