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.
May 15, 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.
Whether you already have an idea of your dream ring or you are looking for the perfect piece for the one you love, our guide to the best engagement ring styles for 2020 is a good place to begin your search. Even if you’re not one for following trends, our list includes everything from the most popular metal colour of 2020 to ring details you may not have considered. Read on for our best engagement ring styles for 2020.
1. Emerald-Cut Engagement Rings
For those a bit bored of the round diamond, this year the spotlight is on elongated diamond shapes. Closely followed by the oval cut, emerald-cut engagement rings remain the most coveted for 2020. Loved for their contemporary finish emerald cut diamonds are favoured by many, including celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé.
2. Multiple Diamonds
Why have a single diamond when you can have multiple? Trilogy rings proved popular last year, but for 2020 five and seven stone diamond engagement rings are set to be the favoured styles. A multi-diamond engagement ring is a great choice for those looking for some serious sparkle.
3. Yellow Gold Rings
Yes, yellow gold is officially on-trend! It’s never really been out of style as it’s a timeless and classic metal after all but it’s been tipped as the metal colour of 2020. Yellow gold looks great for any engagement ring style so you can be sure your ring won’t be out of fashion anytime soon.
4. Bespoke Engagement Rings
Looking for a unique engagement ring? This year bespoke engagement rings have become increasingly popular within the jewellery industry. With bespoke ring orders now more affordable than ever before, people are using the opportunity to design their engagement ring from scratch. From choosing your favourite metal type and selecting the shape of your setting, to adding finishing touches such as milgrain detailing or pavé diamonds, there are endless possibilities when you choose to design your engagement ring. Learn more about our bespoke service to make your dream ring design possible.
5. Halo Rings
Far from being new - halo engagement rings are set to be one of the most popular styles of 2020. A halo ring oozes glamour and sparkle. It is also an ideal choice if you wish to make your diamond look bigger. The halo of diamonds that surrounds the centre stone creates the illusion of a larger diamond for a fraction of the cost.
6. Twisted Detailing
They say the key is in the details and we would have to agree. Surprisingly twisted settings have become a trending ring style for 2020. From simple to vintage styles, twisted detailing adds an elegant finish that has become sought-after. We particularly love this ring style in yellow gold - so you can tick two trends in one!
From glamorous halo rings to beautiful bespoke pieces, the best 2020 diamond engagement ring styles are those that focus on the details. We hope we have inspired you no matter where you are with your search.
Why not head to our other blog post to find out how to propose at home, alternatively browse our selection of beautiful engagement rings.