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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.
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.
December 18, 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.
Birthstone jewellery is a thoughtful gift idea for a loved one on their birthday. Birthstones are said to have originated in ancient times, and they are still popular today. In this guide, we discuss birthstone fine jewellery and the month meanings in the UK.
What is a birthstone?
A birthstone is a gemstone that is associated with someone’s birth period. It usually represents a specific month or zodiac sign. Each birthstone has its own history, myths and meanings. Plus, it is thought to bring the wearer good luck if they wear their own birthstone jewellery.
Birthstones and month meanings UK
Wondering what your birthstone is in the UK? There is a selection of beautiful gemstones associated with each birth month, and each one has its own meaning. So if you are looking for birthstone jewellery such as a birthstone ring, read on to find the correct one.
January birthstone - Garnet
The birthstone for January is Garnet. Garnet is a deep red gemstone that is perfect for January birthdays. It symbolises friendship, power and happiness and is thought to give guidance to the wearer in the night and during travel.
February birthstone - Amethyst
The birthstone for February is amethyst. Amethyst is a beautiful pale lilac or deep purple gemstone that is ideal for February birthdays. It serves as a symbol of peace, tranquillity and protection and is believed to make the wearer calmer and more serene.
March birthstone - Aquamarine
The birthstone for March is aquamarine. Aquamarine is a beautiful blue gemstone that has a similar beauty to the ocean. It is perfect for February birthdays and is associated with loyalty, friendship and courage. It is also thought to drive out any negative emotions and to make the wearer peaceful.
April birthstone - Diamond
The birthstone for April is diamond. Diamond is a beautiful and luxurious gemstone that is not only perfect for April birthdays, but jewellery such as diamond rings make great gifts any time of the year. The birthstone diamond represents everlasting love and eternity and is thought to bring the wearer courage, endurance and strength.
May birthstone - Emerald
The birthstone for May is emerald. Emerald is a beautiful green stone that is one of the most prized gemstones. It is perfect for May birthdays and is thought to symbolise vitality, good fortune and youth. Emerald engagement rings are also a popular choice for proposing.
June birthstone - Pearl
The birthstone for June is pearl. Pearls have a beautiful iridescence and pure finish. Not only are they ideal for June birthdays but they are also the anniversary gemstone for 30 years of marriage. Pearl is thought to represent purity, innocence and faithfulness.
July birthstone - Ruby
The birthstone for July is ruby. Ruby is a rich red gemstone that is not only perfect for July birthdays, but it is also the anniversary gemstone of 40 years of marriage. It is seen as a symbol of passion and love while also thought to protect the wearer and ward off any evil. For these reasons, ruby engagement rings are a popular alternative to a diamond.
August birthstone - Peridot
The birthstone for August is peridot. Peridot has a unique and vibrant lime green colour. It is thought to be the gemstone of prosperity and good fortune while making a great gift for August birthdays.
September birthstone - Sapphire
The birthstone for September is sapphire. Blue sapphire is a deep and beautiful blue hued gemstone that is favoured by many, including the royal family. It is the gemstone for 45th wedding anniversaries and symbolises integrity, love and nobility. Sapphire engagement rings are a popular choice for those who love gemstone jewellery.
October birthstone - Opal
The birthstone for October is opal. Opal has an ever changing and iridescent finish that is loved and valued by many. It is thought to encourage imagination and creativity while symbolising innocence and purity.
November birthstone - Topaz
The birthstone for November is topaz. Topaz can come in a variety of shades such as green, pink, yellow, red and blue. Blue topaz is by far the most popular shade for gemstone jewellery. It is believed to have healing and calming properties, to restore sanity and ward off bad energy.
December birthstone - Tanzanite
The birthstone for December is tanzanite. Tanzanite can only be found in Tanzania and typically has a vibrant blue or violet colour. It has been discovered more recently than most other gemstones, so it doesn’t have rich historic meanings. However, it is prized for its beauty and rarity as it is rarer than a diamond.
Birthstone jewellery is ideal as a gift for almost any occasion. Whether you choose a gemstone engagement ring for your loved one or surprise them with a gemstone diamond ring for your anniversary, a beautiful piece of jewellery with their birthstone is a great choice.