The rules governing the marking of Finnish precious-metal articles have changed repeatedly over the centuries. This timeline brings together the principal developments, from the earliest fineness requirements to the foundations of the present system.
Each entry describes a rule introduced or amended at that point in time. Items shown under the same year form one historical entry.
1473–1799
Early regulation
1473
- Goldsmiths were instructed to move to towns, where alone they were permitted to practise their trade.
- The first requirements for gold fineness were introduced: 19 karats (791 thousandths).
- Pure gold was 24 karats; one karat contained 12 grains, making 288 grains in total.
1485
- Goldsmiths were required to mark the articles they made with their own house mark or initials.
- Fineness was supervised by the guild.
1489
- The working standard for silver was 14½ lots (906 thousandths).
- Pure silver was 16 lots; one lot contained 18 grains, making 288 grains in total.
1529
- The gold fineness was 18½ karats (771 thousandths).
1569
- The working standard for silver was 14 lots (875 thousandths).
- The gold fineness was 22 karats and 2 grains (923 thousandths).
1576
- A nationwide system of inspection was introduced; in practice, the work was carried out by the guild wardens.
1583
- A separate official was appointed in Finland to inspect precious-metal articles.
1596
- The working standard for silver was 13½ lots (843 thousandths).
- A mark identifying the town of manufacture was introduced, although location marks became common only later.
1641
- The working standard for silver was 12 lots (750 thousandths).
1661
- The working standard for silver returned to 13½ lots (843 thousandths).
1689
- The Board of Trade prescribed three gold standards: ducat gold at 23 karats and 6 grains (979), pistole gold at 22 karats and 6 grains (937), and crown gold at 18 karats and 5 grains (767).
- From 1689 to 1754, the location mark effectively served as the control mark. The punch was held by the guild warden and struck when the article's fineness was inspected.
- Fineness was tested by taking a metal sample from the article. This left a saw-like trace known as the warden's line.
1752
effective 1754
- Inspection was transferred to the assay authority.
- Every gold and silver article had to bear the three-crown control mark, together with marks identifying the town and the master.
- In addition to confiscation of an under-fineness article, the penalty was a fine of 200 dalers for a first offence, 400 dalers for a second offence, and life at hard labour for a third.
- The gold standards were ducat gold at 23 karats and 5 grains (976), pistole gold at 20 karats and 4 grains (847), and crown gold at 18 karats and 4 grains (764).
- The gold fineness marks were 23K, 20K and 18K.
- The working standard for silver was 13¼ lots (828 thousandths).
1755
- Small gold and silver articles, such as rings and earrings, were exempted from control marking.
1759
- A uniform year-mark system using letters was introduced. Some larger towns had already used year marks of their own.
- The penalties for making under-fineness articles were reduced to 50 dalers for a first offence, 100 dalers for a second, and loss of reputation and master’s rights for a third.
1787
- Gold articles weighing more than 1.74 g and silver articles weighing more than 3.32 g had to be marked, except for so-called peasant jewellery.
1800–1899
The Grand Duchy period
1804
- Imports of gold and silver articles were prohibited to protect domestic production. With minor exceptions, the prohibition remained in force until 1852.
1810
- Finland established its own assay office in Turku.
- The control mark changed from three crowns to a single crown.
- A new year-mark series began again from the letter A.
1827
- After the Great Fire of Turku, the assay office moved to Helsinki.
1834
- Supervision of control marking was assigned to the Superintendent of the Board of Mines.
1853
- Silver fineness marks in use were 13 and 13L in lots, together with the Russian-derived zolotnik marks 78 and 84.
- Pure silver was 96 zolotniks.
1884
- Control marking was transferred to the assay office operating in connection with the Mint.
1886
effective 1887
- Following adoption of the metric system, fineness had to be expressed in thousandths.
1891
effective 1892
- Requirements were introduced for gold and silver finenesses and their marks:
- Tukaatti gold: full fineness 976, but at least 969: 969 mark
- Pistoletti gold: full fineness 847, but at least 833: 833 mark
- Kruunu gold: full fineness 764, but at least 750: 750 mark
- Silver: full fineness 828, but at least 813: 813 mark
1893
effective 1895
- Gold fineness was marked in thousandths within an oval outline.
- Silver fineness was marked in thousandths, together with the letter H, within a rectangular outline.
- Only fineness punches made by the Mint could be used.
1900–1999
Modern supervision
1925
- To be classed as a gold product, it must contain at least 200/1000 gold. To be classed as a silver product, it must contain at least 400/1000.
- Control marking becomes mandatory. Amongst others, gold products weighing less than 1 gram and silver products of less than 3 grams are exempt from control marking.
- The tarkastustutkinto is introduced (inspection exam - includes marking knowledge and proficiency).
- Articles could be control-marked at gold finenesses of 585, 750, 833, 875 and 969, and silver finenesses of 813, 875 and 916.
- The fineness mark is a three-digit number.
- Gold fineness marks have an oval shield, silver fineness marks have a rectangular shield and the letter H (for hopea, Finnish for silver).
- An article had to bear a fineness mark, responsibility mark, location mark and year mark. The year and location marks could be omitted if there was insufficient room.
- The responsibility mark must contain the maker's first name and surname/initials or trademark.
- The location mark must contain the coat of arms or name or initial letter of the city, township, or municipality.
- The assay office annually confirms each new year's year mark.
- The control mark consisted of a crown on a wavy, guilloché-patterned background. Its outline was heart-shaped for domestic articles and oval for imported articles.
- Other products could not bear marks liable to be confused with Finnish fineness or control marks. The restriction did not apply to foreign-made articles bearing the marks prescribed in their country of manufacture.
- The above does not apply to bailiff authorities, estates of bankrupt or deceased persons and antique artefact.
- If you want to produce precious metals or sell such products in a marketplace, you have to inform the assay office in writing. The sale of products by peddling is prohibited.
- The assay office director or his representative has the right to inspect gold and silver products at production/sales facilities and to remove them for assaying.
- Punishments for violation of the regulations are usually 10 to 100 day fines.
- The assay office, under the control of the Mint, has responsibility for control marking gold and silver products.
1942
- The assay office is operated under the authority of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
1966
effective 1967
- Filling hollow jewellery with metal, resin, plastic or another substance was prohibited.
1968
effective 1969
- The tarkastustutkinto (inspection exam) is changed to the leimaustutkinnoksi (marking exam).
- Fineness marks changed to: gold: 585, 750 and 969, silver: 813, 830 and 925
1972
effective 1973
- The letter H is removed from silver fineness marks.
- A location mark had to be struck or cast only when required by the assay authority; previously it had been compulsory.
1974
- Silver products under 5 grams are exempt from marking. Previously it was under 3 grams.
- The 1972 Vienna Convention was incorporated into Finnish law. Articles marked under the Convention were exempted from Finnish control marking.
- The former assay office for gold and silver articles became the assay office for precious-metal articles.
- The lowest silver fineness is 830 (previously 813).
- Fineness marks for gold: 585, 750, 969, and silver: 830 and 925. No other fineness marks can be used.
- The control-mark outline was heart-shaped for domestic articles, oval for imported articles, and rectangular for articles marked under the Vienna Convention that did not meet Finnish fineness requirements.
- Articles could not bear marks liable to be confused with the Common Control Mark (CCM) or with the assay-office marks of states party to the Vienna Convention.
1975
- The Vienna Convention comes into force in Finland 27/06/1975.
- Teknillinen tarkastuslaitos (Technical Inspection Department) operates as the assay office, under the authority of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has responsibility for all marking and assaying (in accordance with the Vienna Convention).
1977
- Gold products can contain at least 200/1000 pure gold, silver and platinum products 400/1000. Coated (plated) products are not considered to be precious metal products.
- Fineness marks for precious metal products: at least 585 gold, 830 silver and 950 platinum.
- Exemptions from control marking included gold and platinum articles weighing less than 1 g, silver articles weighing less than 5 g, and articles bearing the Common Control Mark (CCM).
- Fineness marks: gold: 585, 750 and 969, silver: 830 and 925, platinum: 950.
- Fineness mark shapes: gold: oval; silver: rectangle; platinum: rhombus.
- In criminal cases, the penalties are either a fine or (in extreme cases) suspension of marking rights until the accused is tried in court.
- The assay office can allow regulation exceptions in special circumstances (in individual cases).
- Solders were generally required to match the fineness of the article. Exceptions applied to 750-fineness filigree and watch cases, 750-fineness white gold, silver and platinum, as specified.
- A lower fineness solder can only be used as required for soldering and fixing. Filling or increasing the weight using solder is prohibited.
- If the product contains a part that has been made from a base metal, it has to be marked with 'METAL' or an abbreviation for the metal. If neither of these can be used, the base metal has to visibly differ in colour from the precious metal. It can not be used for strengthening, filling or increasing the weight.
- Base metal materials can be used if they are visibly different from the precious metal, if they have not been plated or otherwise modified to look like precious metals, and if the quantity is clearly visible.
- Cutlery handles can include non-metallic materials if no more is used than is necessary for the fastening of the handle.
- Combining precious metals: gold can have platinum elements and white gold can be rhodium coated (plated), silver can have gold and platinum elements and can be gold or rhodium coated (plated), platinum can be rhodium coated (plated). For technical reasons, you can use parts made from lower fineness precious metals and/or base metals, but these parts have to be individually marked accordingly.
1992
- The assay office name is called Tekninen/Teknillinen tarkastuskeskus (Technical Inspection Centre).
1995
- The assay office is called Teknillinen tarkastuskeskus (previously it functioned as a controlling authority for inspection and marking).
- Previously the location mark was used if the assay office specified, it can be used only if necessary.
- If one intends to start to make precious metal products or sell them, a written announcement to the Safety Technology Authority (Tukes) has to be made before the operation can begin. The responsibility mark has to be accepted and registered by Tukes.
- The leimaustutkinto (marking exam) can be taken at the assay office.
- Tukes monitors compliance of regulations and can take market control samples.
- Tukes can revoke marking rights (before inspecting products).
- Tukes allows regulation exceptions in special circumstances (in individual cases) and give technical instructions.
- Tukes has the right to limit precious metals trading and marking activities if deemed necessary in the public interest.
1998
- Teknillinen tarkastuskeskus (Technical Assay Centre) is abolished. An assay office can only operate if approved by Tukes.
- Regulations are made specifying what the requirements of an assay office are. Assay office approval has to be gained by an application submitted to Tukes. Acceptance is dependent upon all the requirements being met.
- Before beginning to manufacture or trade in precious-metal articles, the operator had to notify the Safety Technology Authority (Tukes) in writing. The responsibility mark required approval by the assay authority.
- exempt from marking (amongst others) are gold and platinum products weighing less than 2 grams (previously 1 gram) and silver products weighing less than 10 grams (previously 5 grams).
- Responsibility marks are approved by Tukes (previously the assay office). Tukes also keeps the register of marks. Responsibility mark holders have to re-confirm their registration every two years.
- Allowing for the uncertainty of the test method, the maximum permitted downward deviation in fineness was 5 parts per thousand. The former categories of slightly under, under and full fineness were discontinued.
- Tukes confirms date, locality and control marks (there are no longer any rule about mark appearance).
- Imported products no longer need to be assayed if they have been marked in another EU or EEA country, so long as the marks comply with domestic marking and the country of manufacture has an impartial assay office whose control mark is registered with Tukes.
- Announcements of intent to manufacture or trade in precious metal products need to be made to Tukes. Any changes have to be made in writing within 3 months.
- It was possible to manufacture and import precious metal products so long as it is via a company registered with Tukes. The leimaustutkinto (marking exam) is no longer required and it is possible to work from more than one location.
- Precious metal products can again be sold via peddling.
- Tukes can request confidential company and/or personal information as part of any assay investigation.
- Fines and the cancellation of marking rights are removed from the regulations.
- Solders used in precious metal products meant for general sale have to have the same fineness and metal as the actual product. Exceptions: gold: over 750; solder at least 750; silver: 550; platinum: 800.
- Base metals could not be used as a coating or intermediate layer.
2000–
Foundations of the current system
2000
effective 2001
- For a coated article, the fineness mark indicated the fineness of the precious metal beneath the coating. A component made from metal or another material could not be coated with precious metal. Earlier rules had instead specified which coatings were permitted.
- The control mark indicates the assay office. The control mark has to always be struck onto the product and has a crown on a heart-shaped shield. The control mark can also contain an assay office's unique identifier. The control mark is approved by Tukes upon application. Previously Tukes only accepted the control mark.
- The responsibility mark indicates the importer, manufacturer or seller who is responsible for the product and its conformity with requirements. Only capital letters are approved for responsibility marks, though marks registered previously are still acceptable. Tukes approves mark applications and keeps a register of responsibility marks. The owner of the mark has to notify of any changes and re-confirm the registration at intervals of three years (previously two years).
- The location mark shows the locality of manufacture. The mark has to take the form of a coat of arms. A municipality can apply to Tukes for a location mark. Previously only registered location marks were valid.
- Other marks: other marks cannot bear confusing resemblance to marks used in Finland. However, marks in use in other EU/EEA countries can be used.
- Precious metal fineness is - gold: 375, 585, 750, 916 and 999; silver: 800, 830, 925 and 999; platinum: 850, 900, 950 and 999. 969 gold is abolished.
- exempt from marking: gold and platinum products of less than 1 gram (previously less than 2 grams); silver products of less than 10 grams.
- A precious-metal article could be submitted voluntarily to an assay office for inspection; control marking had previously been compulsory.
- Bankrupt and deceased estates, auctions and similar cases were omitted from the regulations.
- Previously, an article could contain more than one precious metal only in exceptional circumstances.
- Precious metal products can be sold with a gold fineness of at least 375 (previously 585), silver fineness of 800 (previously 830) or a platinum fineness of 850 (previously 950).
- When placed on the market, a precious-metal article had to bear a responsibility mark and a fineness mark. Together they indicated conformity with the requirements. Year and location marks had previously also been required, subject to exceptions.
- Conformity could be demonstrated by inspection at an assay office and certified with a control mark. Control marking had previously been compulsory.
- Tukes is entitled to take market samples of precious metal products for inspection. The samples have to be compensated at a fair price.
- If a product does not meet Tukes requirements, they have the right to forbid sales, to request product changes or to determine how one must act with regard to the product. The responsible party may also be required to cover the price of the product and assaying cost.
- The regulations can be reinforced by a fine or the threat of having the product made by someone else at the offender's expense.
- Regulation breaches can be punished with a fine, in which case the profits gained by the breach may be surrendered to the State.
- Products marked in other EU/EEA countries are accepted in Finland so long as the marks contain the same information required of Finnish products.
2004
- Cutlery, candlesticks, and similar products can be made using reasonable amounts of lower fineness precious metal solder, metals or other substances. Product descriptions relating to the fineness have to be readily available in retail outlets.
- Control marking may be made by a laser.
- Precious metals can display marks used in other EU/EEA countries.
- Fineness deviation is not allowed.
- If a precious-metal article offered for sale lacked the prescribed marks, Customs, enforcement authorities, auction houses, pawnbrokers, and bankrupt or deceased estates could replace them with a written certificate. The certificate had to state the article’s actual fineness.
2005
- A precious metal product for sale must contain either a responsibility and fineness mark or a control mark and fineness mark.
- The manufacturer or seller is responsible for ensuring that the product is properly marked.
2008
effective 2009
- Palladium was added to the legislation, with a minimum fineness of 500 thousandths.
2009
- The precious metal fineness of palladium solders must be at least 500.
- Responsibility marks can be used on non-precious metal products if the product clearly states that it contains no precious metals.
- A precious-metal article could also bear marks used in other countries; previously this provision referred only to marks used in EEA and EU Member States.
- Palladium fineness: 500, 850, 950 and 999.
- A fineness mark no longer had to use a surrounding outline.
- Palladium fineness mark shape: symmetrical trapezium with three equal sides half the length of the base.
- A lightweight palladium article was defined as one weighing less than 1 g.
- If a lightweight product is marked, it must have at least a fineness mark (previously also the responsibility mark).
2026
effective 1 May 2026
- An article of precious metal consisting of parts made from different precious metals shall bear the fineness mark of the least noble precious metal. If the colours of the precious metal parts are clearly distinguishable from one another, the article or its individual parts may also bear the fineness mark of each respective precious metal. A naturally occurring gold nugget may be incorporated into an article of precious metal without being marked, irrespective of its fineness or whether it is clearly distinguishable from the precious metal that is required to be marked.
- Solders used in palladium articles shall have a precious metal content of at least 700 parts per thousand.
- The responsibility mark identifies the operator responsible for ensuring that the article of precious metal complies with the applicable requirements. The responsibility mark shall consist of a capital letter or a combination of capital letters. The typeface shall be clear, and the letters shall be separate from one another and of equal size.
- The permitted fineness numbers are 500, 600, 850, 900, 950, 990 and 999 for platinum articles; 375, 417, 585, 750, 800, 916, 990 and 999 for gold articles; 500, 850, 950, 990 and 999 for palladium articles; and 800, 830, 835, 925, 958, 990 and 999 for silver articles. No other numbers may be used in a fineness mark.
- The precious metal contained in an article shall be identified in the fineness mark by either the chemical symbol of the precious metal or the background shape of the fineness mark. If the background shape differs from that prescribed in subsection 3, the chemical symbol shall be used on the article.
- The chemical symbols used shall be Pt for platinum, Au for gold, Pd for palladium and Ag for silver. The chemical symbol may appear separately from the number in the fineness mark.
- Where a background shape is used, the platinum fineness mark shall have a horizontally oriented diamond-shaped background standing on one point. The gold fineness mark shall have an oval background. The palladium fineness mark shall have a quadrilateral background whose base is twice the length of each of its other sides. The silver fineness mark shall have a rectangular background.
- Identifying the precious metal in an article may require an additional mark to be applied to the finished article. This additional mark may be omitted if marking would damage the article or if there is insufficient space for it.