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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.
August 13, 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.
A pair of beautiful diamond earrings are a jewellery box staple. There are plenty of great earring styles to suit any occasion. From dazzling diamond drop earrings, perfect for adding some glamour to your evening ensemble, to classic diamond studs that are suitable for every day.
Diamond earrings are also a great choice if you are searching for a gift for a loved one. Whether it is a birthday gift, anniversary gift or simply a gesture to say ‘I love you’, a pair of diamond earrings is a great way to mark the occasion. In our ultimate diamond earrings buying guide, you will discover everything you need to consider before purchasing.
How to buy diamond earrings
Set a budget
Before you begin your search, it is a good idea to set a budget. Your budget will determine the size and quality of the diamonds you can afford to buy along with the style. For example, a pair of diamond cluster earrings may be a good choice if you are on a budget.
Select a metal type and colour
There are plenty of metal types and colours to choose from. Typically it is a good idea to choose a metal type and colour that matches your everyday jewellery, although the choice is yours. Head to our metal education guide to learn more.
White gold
A beautiful bright white metal that pairs perfectly with other metal types. It looks similar to platinum but isn’t as durable. That said, it is cheaper than platinum, so makes a great choice if you are on a budget.
Yellow gold
A classic yellow toned metal that is favoured for its timeless appeal.
Rose gold
A fashionable blush-hued metal and a popular colour that can now be found in technology and homeware.
Platinum
A white metal that is durable and hypoallergenic. Meaning that it could be a good choice for you if you have sensitive skin.
Choose a setting style
From timeless diamond studs to glamorous diamond drop earrings, there are multiple styles to choose from. Here are some setting styles you may wish to consider.
Diamond solitaire stud earrings
Whether for a gift, or simply for yourself, a pair of diamond stud earrings are a staple piece that never goes out of style. They can be worn alone or alongside other jewellery with ease and are versatile enough to be worn both day or night.
Diamond halo earrings
A pair of diamond halo earrings are slightly more glamorous than a pair of diamond studs. They pack plenty of sparkle and consist of a single diamond surrounded by a ‘halo’ of stones.
Diamond hoop earrings
Diamond hoop earrings seamlessly blend casual with luxury. For a luxurious finish to an everyday jewellery piece, look no further than a pair of diamond hoop earrings. They can be worn for almost any occasion and make a great gift for a loved one.
Diamond cluster earrings
For dazzling sparkle at half the price, a pair of diamond cluster earrings are the answer. They consist of a cluster of intricate diamonds and are ideal for adding a bit of sparkle to your everyday life. Diamond cluster earrings tend to be an affordable choice as lots of smaller diamonds are cheaper than one large diamond of comparable weight.
Diamond drop earrings
For a glamorous, unforgettable gift, a pair of diamond drop earrings are a great choice. This elegant diamond earring style is ideal for special occasions and events. It also makes for a great piece of jewellery to pass down to the grandchildren.
Diamond journey earrings
If you are searching for an extra-special gift for a loved one, a pair of diamond journey earrings are a great choice. Typically they consist of three diamonds set together in a row, with the three diamonds thought to represent the past, present and future within a relationship.
Find a diamond - consider the 4 C’s
Before buying any piece of diamond jewellery, it is important to learn about the 4 C’s. The 4 C’s are used to assess and grade a particular diamond and determine its value.
Diamond quality isn’t as crucial for diamond earrings as it is for diamond rings. This is because diamond earrings tend to be viewed further away than diamond rings. So if you are on a budget, choosing a lower quality diamond is a great way to save money.
Cut
Cut refers to how well the diamond has been cut and proportioned. A well-cut diamond is proportional, and therefore it reflects more light and creates more sparkle.
Carat
Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. The larger the carat weight, the larger the diamond will typically appear. However, two diamonds of the same weight may appear slightly different due to the way they have been cut.
Clarity
Clarity refers to the numbers of inclusions (internal flaws) or blemishes (external flaws) on a given diamond.
Colour
Colour refers to the tone or hue of a given diamond. Diamonds are graded on a colour grading scale between D-Z, with D being the clearest and most desirable, and Z being a brownish-yellow tone and least desirable.
Feeling inspired? Discover our complete range of diamond earrings or head to our other article to find out how to style diamond earrings with ease.