About the Hallmark Research Institute (HRI)

The Hallmark Research Institute (HRI) was founded in 2003, by three known experts and educators in their common profession - appraising; specifically, estates, fine, antique and contemporary jewelry, numismatics, and other precious metal objects. Seeking more accurate and in-depth information on international hallmarks, yet finding scattered, inconsistent information in print, HRI began reaching out to experts at the source for clarity and accuracy. Through much time developing trust in their intentions, HRI earned rare access to experts at Assay Offices throughout Europe.

The years of effort and collaboration with assay and hallmarking professionals, and other similar experts, resulted in the 2009 introduction of the first volume of World Hallmarks, specifically covering hallmarks of Europe. A second edition of Volume 1 was introduced in 2010. In 2017, HRI completed their second volume covering the other hallmarking countries from around the world. As a complement to Volume 1, the second volume also covers hallmarking countries that never had in-depth reporting of their hallmarking systems before, or in English. HRI continues to educate the public and industry professionals through their series of acclaimed dynamically visual lectures, and hands-on workshops, Their publications have succeeded in creating better awareness of hallmarks and have provided the information professionals around the world have sought to support age and origin of many of the items on which they are found.

HRI continues to collaborate with international professionals and assay offices to gather current, accurate hallmark information and images to disseminating the information globally. The goal is not only to further the accurate understanding of hallmarks but to also convey the continued need for precious metal assaying and hallmarking worldwide.

HRI remains eternally grateful for those who have made these reference books possible; all the assay office professionals, experts of precious metal objet d’ art, those that shared our goal for accuracy, and so many others that contributed their part in making the research happen. Special thanks to all the professionals, past and present of the Hallmarking Convention, and the International Association of Assay Offices that have now combined.

The Hallmark Research Institute is not a brick-and-mortar location, but an additional entity to the decade’s long professions of each of its authors. Funding for the HRI projects initially was provided solely by the authors and now through the sales of their World Hallmark books, lectures, and private and personal donations. Thank you all for your support.

Technical Educators and Founders of HRI:
William Whetstone BA-H (Hon)
Danusia Niklewicz GG,FGA,ISA-CAPP,ASA,
Lindy Matula GG, ASA