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)
Where Hallmarking Began
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.
Today
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.
Know More
Here are some of our top proposal ideas with friends and family.Should I propose in front of family?
Reaching out to your partner’s friends and family can make the proposal extra special and get you in their good books while creating wonderful memories for everyone involved. It can also be useful, as asking for them to get their hair and nails done may sound a little suspicious if it's something you never bring up. However, roping in the best friend means you can arrange for them to look their best without rousing suspicion.
By including the family, you run the risk of receiving unwanted advice or opinions but if your loved one is close to their friends and family, getting them involved can make the special moment even more magical.
Get together with your sweetie’s friends and family and reveal your intentions, then work with them to create this "event" as a guise for a marriage proposal. Whether that be a themed picnic, summer BBQ, or a party at their favourite time of year. Keep it simple though - you don’t want the group to have to spend extra money or take a large chunk of time out of their schedules just for you to pop the question.
If everyone is on board, chances are, they can organise an attractive activity that will sound fun and unsuspicious to your partner. Then, when you “suddenly” show up at the venue or ring the doorbell for the proposal, your beloved is surprised and surrounded by their closest loved ones to share in the moment. Note: make sure you have a plan for after the question is popped. Do you stay to celebrate or time it for when the event is winding down so you can spend some quality time together afterwards?
Whether they hide out of sight until the perfect time, or you get them involved early, this is a great way to get them involved in the process and is perfect for public - but still intimate, proposals such as hikes and walks along the beach.
Important: If the friend agrees, make sure you travel to the proposal site with them beforehand to pick out the best spot for popping the question - a good view and a comfortable seat are musts. If your future fiancée is more private, make sure there won't be too many people around at the time you plan to ask them to spend the rest of their life with you.
It will be a wonderful memory for all involved and will be something they can gush over together after you pull off the romantic act.
If your partner loves nothing more than being the centre of attention, this is a great option for when you want to keep the actual proposal intimate, but want to celebrate in style with her friends and family.
Whether you’re taking a sunset walk on the beach or going for a picnic in the forest, have your friends and family arrive a little early and disguise/hide themselves away so that they don’t spoil the surprise. After you’ve proposed, have them jump out and let the celebrations commence! Alternatively, have them gather in a place such as at a nearby pub, restaurant, or your home while you’re out so they’re ready and waiting for you to celebrate in style.
This is a really fun option for families who love to spend time together and tell each other everything. Just make sure everyone involved can keep a secret until you’re ready.
Go down on one knee as you settle in for a tasty dinner in a candlelit restaurant in Greece, take an evening stroll in the vineyards of Italy, or pop the question at a beach-side bar on the south coast of France!
Have them pose with handwritten signs or have them help bring your partner to the perfect location where you’ll be waiting with flowers and the ring.Some things to keep in mind
Keep in mind your partner’s situation with their family - if they’re not on great terms, it might be best to keep the proposal between the two of you.
Make sure they are comfortable with the situation - some love being the centre of attention but others prefer a more private affair - ensuring they can say yes in a situation they’re comfortable in will definitely win you bonus points.
Make sure you’re prepared for the day. Whether you’re struggling to find their ring size or don’t know what to say, make sure to explore our getting engaged guide to help it go off without a hitch.
Finally, Make sure you have the ring ready to go before your proposal. Introducing family and friends can be chaotic, but as long as you have the ring and the people they love most, it’s sure to go off without a hitch.