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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 16, 2023 | 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.
Does your significant other love to be beside the seaside? Or do you share special memories together that involve being beachside? A beach proposal could be the perfect way to seal the deal if you’re looking for a unique and memorable way to show how much they mean to you. If you’re in need of a little inspiration with where and how, we’re here with the top five most incredible British beach proposal spots to make sure a time you’ll both never forget. Ready, set, beach!
Durdle Door Beach, Dorset
Coming in as one of the UK’s most popular beach spots is Durdle Door Beach, located in the beautifully quaint and picturesque county of Dorset. If you’re looking for a beach proposal that’s really going to take their breath away, look no further than this spectacular spot. Featuring a unique limestone arch that was formed naturally over 10,000 years ago, it comes to no surprise that this historical, whimsical setting is incredibly popular amongst all both near and far. Our top tip is to arrive early or later in the day to guarantee you get a parking spot/a quieter, intimate atmosphere for your big moment!
Brighton Beach, Brighton & Hove
A beach proposal location packed full of personality, Brighton beach is an amazing choice if you’re looking for a beach with extra added pizzazz and things to do a plenty. With its quirky atmosphere and 4-mile-long promenade, if your bride-to-be loves an authentic seaside feel this could be the spot for you. Why not proposal on the famous Brighton Bandstand? Paired perfectly with a vintage engagement ring, this art deco landmark is an incredibly romantic and intimate spot to pop the question. Time your proposal around sunset hours and watch the light illuminate the sky together. Pop your camera on a time lapse video to capture the memory forever.
Kynance Cove, Cornwall
If you’re looking for a beach that can be easily mistaken for the Caribbean, the beautiful scenes at Kynance Cove will effortlessly create the perfect setting for your upcoming proposal. Proudly named as one of the most beautiful beaches in the UK, this Cornwall-based National Trust site hosts idyllic white sands and tranquil turquoise waters for miles alongside various unique rock formations you won’t find anywhere else. Don’t forget to head for a spot of lunch at the famous Kynance Cove Café too, where you can enjoy the views with a celebratory pasty and glass of champagne in hand.
Woolacombe Beach, Devon
Winning the award for the Sunday Times best beach of 2021, Woolacombe beach features sparkling shores and soft sands that stretch for miles on end, meaning you’ll be able to easily find a secluded spot to set up your perfect proposal. If you’re looking for a location that offers a lively and wide choice of restaurants, cafes and pubs too, the rural beauty of Woolacombe is sure to come in top spot on your list. With its striking multi-coloured beach huts and high hills, if you don’t believe us you can even check out the Woolacombe webcam where you can see a live view of the beach for yourself here.
Seven Sisters Beach, East Sussex
If stunning coastal views are your thing, look no further than the white chalk Seven Sisters cliffs that overlook the beautiful Birling Gap Beach. Another incredible National Trust location, this special spot is perfect if you and your partner love to do a little exploring, with its mix of rock pools and rural surrounding spots ready to admire. A far more tranquil and less populated setting to propose, why not book a place to stay at the old, decommissioned Belle Tout Lighthouse up on Beachy Head to make your time together even more memorable.