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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.
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.
A diamond eternity ring is the ultimate symbol of everlasting love. Sometimes referred to as an infinity ring, an eternity ring is made from a continuous line of beautiful diamonds. There are many reasons you may wish to buy an eternity ring, and it depends on your personal preference. In our eternity rings guide, we discuss different types of eternity rings and the etiquette behind gifting one.
When do you give an eternity ring?
Traditionally, you would give an eternity ring to mark a special milestone within your relationship. It is common to give an eternity ring to your loved one to celebrate the birth of your first child together or to mark an important wedding anniversary or milestone.
There are certain types of eternity rings you would traditionally give to mark specific years in your anniversary. For example, a ruby eternity ring on your 40th wedding anniversary, on your 45th wedding anniversary a sapphire eternity ring is a great choice, an emerald eternity ring for your 55th anniversary and a diamond eternity ring on your 60th wedding anniversary. Of course, you do not have to follow these rules. Some people choose to gift a diamond eternity ring on their first anniversary or to mark another milestone.
An eternity ring symbolises everlasting love and commitment, which is why they are perfect for anniversaries. They are also gifted to celebrate the birth of a child as they represent the continuing cycle of life.
Eternity ring styles - Full eternity or half eternity?
The two main styles of eternity rings are full eternity rings and half eternity rings. Whether you choose a full eternity or half eternity ring will most likely depend on your taste and preference.
Full eternity rings
As the name suggests, full eternity rings feature stones (usually diamonds) around the entire band of the ring. This style packs plenty of sparkle and is super luxurious. Full eternity rings are typically slimmer than half eternity rings so that they remain comfortable with the stones underneath and on the side of the band.
Half eternity rings
Half eternity rings feature stones only on the top half of the band. Some people find this style more comfortable, especially for styles that feature larger diamonds, than full eternity rings. They can have any number of stones, and they can be of similar size or graduating size. Typically, due to fewer stones used, a half eternity ring is less expensive than a full eternity ring (depending on the size and quality of the stones used).
Eternity ring settings
The setting you choose for your eternity ring affects the entire look and feel of the ring design. There are several settings to choose from, and the one you prefer may depend on your taste and preference.
Channel-set eternity rings
Channel-set eternity rings are where diamonds or gemstones are encased between the two metal edges of the band. This means the diamonds are set flush to the metal, making it a safe and secure setting style that isn’t prone to snagging.
Bar-set eternity rings
Bar-set eternity rings are where the diamonds or gemstones are set within separate metal bars which are held horizontally in between the ring’s band. In this setting style, the bars are part of the design and provide a clean and modern appearance.
Claw-set eternity rings
Claw-set eternity rings are the most traditional. This method involves holding diamonds or gemstones in place using metal claws along the ring. A claw setting enables plenty of light to reach the diamond - creating plenty of sparkle.
Eternity rings - Which metal type?
Platinum, white gold, rose gold or yellow gold? The metal type you choose for your eternity ring will most likely complement your other everyday jewellery.
Platinum eternity rings
Platinum is the most luxurious metal choice for eternity rings but also the most expensive. Not only does this bright white precious metal exude beauty, but it is also the most durable and is hypoallergenic. Therefore platinum eternity rings are ideal for those with sensitive skin.
White gold eternity rings
White gold eternity rings are ideal for those looking for a similar appearance to platinum but for a lower cost. White gold eternity rings are wonderfully elegant and timeless.
Rose gold eternity rings
Rose gold is a fashionable metal type. The beautiful blush hue of rose gold eternity rings exudes romance and beauty - making them ideal as a gift to the one you love.
Yellow gold eternity rings
Yellow gold is a classic precious metal that is perfect for eternity rings. Yellow gold eternity rings pair beautifully with other jewellery pieces and makes a great gift idea.
Discover our entire range of eternity rings or head to our other article ‘Should I choose a full eternity or a half eternity diamond ring?’.