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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.
March 24, 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.
Spring is considered one of the best times of the year to propose. There is something about the fresh air, flowers blooming and the smell of freshly cut grass that makes us think of new beginnings and the start of a new chapter, making it the perfect time to pop the all-important question to the one you love.
There are so many great and affordable ways to propose in Spring as it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the beauty of nature and the wonderful weather, both of which will make your proposal even more romantic. Read on for our top Spring proposal ideas that will leave that special someone lost for words...
A picnic proposal
What better way to soak up the fresh Spring sunshine than with a picnic? If your loved one is a true romantic at heart they will be swept away by the sweet notion of this proposal idea. Use flowers, petals, candles, balloons and pillows to dress up the picnic in the most beautiful and impressive way possible. When it comes to the food, ensure that you create your loved one’s favourite dishes and that the champagne is flowing.
Romantic road trip proposal
Why not create new memories before starting a new chapter together? Surprise your loved one with a romantic road trip, it can be anywhere you like and as spontaneous as you wish, simply pack a small bag for them and drop a hint of where you are going. This sort of proposal is perfect for the warm Spring weather and you will both share the memories of the trip for years to come.
A Spring sunset proposal
What could be more romantic than admiring a colourful Spring sunset with the one you love? Do your research to find the best spots to view the sunset in your location. You can take a walk along the beach, head to the highest building or take a hike and admire the sunset from the top of a hill. As you watch the sunset together, simply get down on one knee to pop the question to that special someone among a natural and beautiful setting.
Proposal on a boat
For an intimate and unforgettable Spring proposal, why not pop the question during a boat ride? There are plenty of locations, no matter where you are in the world, to do this. For a super romantic proposal on a boat, nothing beats the gondolas in Venice. Pack a picnic basket and make your journey along the river. When your loved one least expects it, you can get down on one knee and ask the all-important question.
Proposal in meadow of flowers
There is nothing more beautiful than Spring in full bloom, which is why we think a great way to pop the question is in a meadow of flowers. This type of proposal should be relaxed, casual and full of romance. Lie in the fields taking in the stunning scenery before surprising them when they least expect it with a diamond ring.
Bike ride proposal
Spring proposals can be perfect for an active partner. Why not plan a nice bike ride along a scenic route? Once you have found the most romantic spot, pull your loved one aside for a break before getting down on one knee and asking for their hand in marriage.
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