It is law within the UK that every item of precious metal sold such as Platinum, Gold, Silver is stamped labelling the item with the type of metal it is. Platinum pieces which weigh less than 0.5 grams, 18ct Gold and Palladium pieces weighing less than 1.0 gram and Silver pieces weighing less than 7.78 grams are except from hallmark.
At Diamonds Factory all our products are hallmarked as per UK hallmarking law from London Assay Office (The GoldSmith Company)
Where Hallmarking Began
The Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office is the oldest assay office in the United Kingdom. It has provided hallmarking services since The Goldsmiths' Company was founded in the 1300s. The company received its royal charter in 1327 and ranks 5th in order of precedence of the 12 Great Livery Companies of the City of London.
Hallmarking dates back to the 1300s when Edward I of England passed a law requiring any item made of silver, which was offered for sale, to be at least of equal quality as that of the coin of the realm (silver currency). The wardens of The Goldsmiths' Company were tasked with visiting workshops in the City of London to assay (test) silver articles. If these articles were found to be below standard they were originally destroyed and the metal forfeited to the King. If they passed, each article received the King's mark of authentication - the mark of a leopard's head. By 1478, there were several hundred workshops and merchants manufacturing silver articles in the City of London. It was not possible for the wardens to visit them all so the merchants were ordered to bring their items to Goldsmiths' Hall for testing and marking and a permanent Assay Office was established in the building. This is the origin of the term hallmark - struck with the King's mark at Goldsmiths' Hall.
In 1544 the Goldsmith's Company adopted the King's mark as their town mark and the mark of the leopard's head is now internationally recognised as the mark of this assay office.
Today
The Goldsmiths's Company Assay Office is still based at Goldsmiths's Hall and remains the oldest company in Britain to be continually trading from the same site. However, it also has two satellite offices; at Greville Street in Hatton Garden in the heart of the London jewelry quarter and within a high security complex near London's Heathrow airport. It now has a new off-site facility within the Dalston-based jewelry manufacturer, Allied Gold. This is the first time in the Assay Office's 700 year history that it has opened permanent hallmarking services on a customer's premises.
In addition to hallmarking, the office has now expanded its range of services to support the jewelry trade and enforcement authorities. It offers a variety of specialist analytical services including nickel, lead & cadmium testing, antique silver dating, non-destructive compositional analysis, plating thickness measurement and a melt and assay service for scrap precious metal carried out in their fully independent on-site laboratory. Other services offered are a jewelry valuation service, laser marking, trading standards assistance, high quality photography and a comprehensive range of training and educational seminars, lectures and specialist events.
Know More
If you are planning to tie the knot anytime soon, you may want to begin searching for the perfect wedding ring. Wedding rings symbolise love and commitment within a relationship, so it is important to find one that you will cherish forever. From shaped wedding rings with diamond detailing to statement styles, there are plenty of great designs to choose from. Read on to discover the top wedding ring designs for 2020…
Diamond wedding rings
Diamond wedding rings are still the top choice for 2020. They are ideal for pairing with almost any engagement ring and provide a luxurious finish. There are plenty of styles to choose from, from pavé diamond wedding bands to rings adorned with only one or two intricate diamonds. Select your favourite ring design and customize by selecting your preferred precious metal such as rose gold or white gold. Here are a few of our favourites:Bridal sets
A bridal set is a great choice for those who have decided on marriage together or looking for an upgrade to their current engagement ring and wedding band. Bridal sets have become popular in recent years as they take the hassle out of finding an engagement ring and wedding band that pair perfectly together in shape and style. Plus, they can work out as better value for money! Here are a few of our bestsellers:Plain wedding rings
Classic but still fashionable, plain wedding rings offer what others don’t - versatility. Plain wedding rings can be combined with almost any engagement ring and are an easy, no-fuss choice. What’s more, plain bands have remained popular for years, and it is unlikely they will ever go out of style. Choose your preferred thickness and metal type, such as rose gold, yellow gold, platinum or white gold, to create a ring you will love forever. Here are a few of our most popular styles:Shaped wedding rings
Shaped wedding bands have been a big deal for a few years now, and 2020 is no exception. If you have a large or unusually shaped engagement ring (or even if you don’t!), a shaped wedding ring is a great choice. From plain to diamond-adorned, each ring is indented or curved to create an unusually shaped wedding ring. Choose one that you think perfectly compliments your engagement ring for a finish that is unique to you. Here are some of the most loved styles:Ornate wedding rings
Ornate wedding rings have become increasingly popular in the last couple of years. These bands usually feature filigree detailing, intricate diamonds and grooves, to make them beautiful and unique. This style pairs perfectly with most engagement rings but particularly with solitaire diamond rings or vintage engagement rings. Here are a few designs we love:Discover our beautiful range of wedding rings or head to our other article to find how to pick a matching wedding band to your engagement ring.