Price match guarantee
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.
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.
October 19, 2020 | 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.
Diamond rings are given as gifts, to show a marriage between two people and to mark milestones. They symbolise everlasting love, hope and good fortune, which is what makes diamond rings so special. If you are searching for an engagement ring or perhaps a piece to mark a significant milestone, read on to discover ten beautiful diamond rings for inspiration.
1. Solitaire diamond ring
If your style is on the classic side, a solitaire diamond ring is a great choice. Year after year it is the most popular engagement ring style, due to its versatile and timeless appearance, and consists of a single diamond on a simple metal band. This design is no exception, plus it features an elegant cathedral setting to show off your chosen diamond.
2. Side stone diamond ring
Love the idea of a solitaire ring but looking for a bit of extra sparkle? A beautiful side stone diamond ring could be ideal. It features a diamond at the centre and a diamond-encrusted band for an eye-catching finish. This side stone diamond ring is perfect for those who love plenty of sparkle.
3. Vintage style diamond ring
If you are searching for a gift or a unique piece of jewellery for yourself - a vintage style diamond ring is a great choice. It is the beautiful details, such as intricate diamonds, milgrain detailing and twisted shanks, of vintage style rings which makes them so unique. Choose yours in rose gold or yellow gold for a beautiful antique finish.
4. Halo diamond ring
For an ultra-glamorous diamond ring, look no further than a halo design. Halo diamond rings consist of a centre diamond surrounded by a halo of intricate stones - perfect if you wish to maximise the size of your diamond. We love this halo style for its pretty floral shape and sparkly finish.
5. Sapphire and diamond ring
Sapphires have long been associated with royalty so we can probably all agree that a sapphire and diamond ring is a great jewellery box staple. Try styles with a vintage twist, such as a beautiful halo design, to boost your style credentials. We love this unique, statement design as an engagement ring or as a fashion piece.
6. Rose gold diamond ring
Rose gold is known as the metal of love. This pretty blush-hued metal has been fashionable for jewellery, homeware and technology for some time now and it looks like it is here to stay. A beautiful rose gold diamond ring is wonderfully pretty and feminine. We love it for dainty styles or stunning eternity rings like this one.
7. Heart diamond ring
What better way to say you love someone than with a heart diamond ring? Although somewhat a little cliché, a heart diamond ring symbolises deep love and affection. The meaning behind this diamond shape is guaranteed to impress your significant other. We adore this full bezel-set style as it shows the diamond shape off beautifully.
8. Emerald cut diamond ring
If you like clean, modern shapes, an emerald cut diamond ring could be perfect for you. Its large table and stepped facets have become increasingly popular with those in the market for contemporary engagement rings. But why have one diamond, when you can have three? We love this emerald-cut trilogy ring style.
9. Cluster diamond ring
A pretty cluster diamond ring makes a great gift idea for a birthday or other milestone. A cluster ring is more affordable than a solitaire ring as it is made from lots of smaller diamonds, which are cheaper than a single diamond of the same carat weight. It means you can treat a family member or loved one to a beautiful sparkling gift for a fraction of the price!
10. Platinum diamond ring
Platinum is known for its beauty and durability. It is also a hypoallergenic metal making it ideal if you have sensitive skin. Platinum diamond rings are therefore a great choice, as they are as practical as they are stylish. Our favourite platinum styles are those that are simple and pared-back. Why not try a beautiful platinum diamond solitaire ring to show off the beauty of the metal and the diamond?
You can customise our jewellery by choosing your preferred precious metal and diamond specifications. If you are feeling inspired, discover our full range of diamond rings online and learn more about diamonds in our diamond education guide. Should you need help finding your size head to our ring size guide for more information.