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We’ve teamed up with Klarna to provide flexible payment options, allowing you to shop the way you want. With Klarna, you can split your payment into 3 instalments or choose to pay later, making your shopping experience smoother and more convenient. Your order total must be between £100 and £499 to qualify.
May 20, 2016 | by Admin
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)
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.
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 jewellery quarter and within a high security complex near London's Heathrow airport. It now has a new off-site facility within the Dalston-based jewellery 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 jewellery 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 jewellery valuation service, laser marking, trading standards assistance, high quality photography and a comprehensive range of training and educational seminars, lectures and specialist events.
The proposal and the perfect holiday are one of life’s greatest combinations. Many people we talk to have to get their engagement rings ready by a certain date, which is almost always the holiday that they’ve booked. While that makes things more challenging for us, we’re always thrilled to hear from all of you when you’ve made that moment of your life. We’ve heard from plenty of you who have proposed in some of their favourite destinations, and some of our own favourites too.
1. The Shard, London
We pass it almost everyday. The shard represents the status of pure luxury that we’ve come to both and love hate about London. If your partner has expensive tastes, or proudly identifies with all things that make up London, this might be the best one for you. Bonus points if The Shard was a location in one of your previous dates too.
2. New York, Central Park
Another iconic location, the Central Park has been featured in films so many times that we’ve lost count. On a nice day, Central Park would be a perfect location for a proposal, and with the power of the sentimental American crowd at your disposal, it would make for a pretty spectacular public proposal; you’d almost definitely get a crowd of applause.
3. Kyoto, Japan
While Japan has traditionally been associated with the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, going to Kyoto evokes much more of Japan’s rich past. It’s often the place of choice for those that want the full traditional Japanese experience, with white kimono and sake wine intact. With beautiful architecture and cherry blossom flowers, this historic location can make for a completely memorable proposal.
4. Dubai - UAE
There’s so much to do in Dubai that time will probably become an issue. Besides the sweltering weather which makes it a perfect excuse for swimwear, the desert safari that hikes you into the middle of the desert with a midnight barbecue might serve well for the proposal. Or you could go somewhere really expensive…whatever works for you.
5. Marrakech - Morocco
While slightly similar to Dubai, you might Marrakech to be slightly more grounded. There’s plenty of memorable outdoor events classic desert safarisFlying by air balloon over Morocco, or showering your loved ones with gifts from the classic souks - finding a quiet spot in earthily beautiful Marrakech will make the proposal and the holiday have a distinct, and unforgettable flavour.
6. Queenstown, New Zealand
Totally wrapped in nature, Queenstown has its rich mountain vistas and beautiful landscapes to reel you in; after all, this was where Lord of the Rings was filmed. Riding in a “luge” (which is kind a smaller, thinner go kart which you control with handles on the side) gives you some great fun. Then you can ride the gondola to the highest position for a breathtaking view
7. Oahu, Hawaii
While Oahu is often a favourite, you could probably go all over Hawaii and it would still be an amazing experience. Famous for its beaches, this is probably the most iconic spot if you wanted to pull off a beach proposal. Or you could propose next to a volcano, if you’re brave enough.
8. Big Sur, California
The land of opportunity and glamour, we often turn to dreams of California in our times of need when we need a bit of an uplift. And while California is plentiful in its glamour and nightlife, it might be worth giving all of that a break for a quiet moment in Big Sur before returning to the party, ring on finger.
9. Paris - France
You knew this one was going to come didn’t you? If the city and language of love is for you, then Paris is already on your list. There’s plenty to see and do, and being so close to home is a big plus, perfect for those that have very busy lives to get back to but want to escape the UK for a while.
10. Venice - Italy
Another great choice, as well as Florence, Italy has got the passion and the food to match for another holiday near home that will feel like further than it should be. While proposing on a gondola might seem a bit scary, you might find it worth the risk as you sail through the city peacefully.
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