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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.
May 25, 2017 | 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.
With so many different styles, diamond shapes and precious metals to choose from we understand that finding the perfect engagement ring for your loved one can be overwhelming.
Trends may come and go, and although it can feel great to have a piece of jewellery that is in fashion it is also a good idea to choose an engagement ring that your partner will love forever.
This is why we have created a rundown of some of the biggest engagement ring trends from the past three years. All of these trends have remained firmly in fashion and proved that they are unlikely to go out of style anytime soon.
Trends of 2019
Coloured gemstone engagement rings
Coloured gemstone engagement rings came firmly back into fashion when Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with his mother’s blue sapphire engagement ring. Whether as the centrepiece or as side stones, coloured stones are popular for those searching for a ring that is a little more unique.
Unsurprisingly, blue sapphires are one of the most popular gemstones, followed by emeralds, yellow diamonds and pink sapphires. If you are searching for a way to add sentimental value to your chosen design, why not select your loved one’s birthstone?
Bypass settings
This style of setting has been around since the Victorian era but has seen an increase in popularity in recent years. A bypass setting features a band that overlaps and parts instead of forming one single line, holding the diamond in between both ends.
Bypass engagement rings can hold many different diamonds shapes and gemstones creating a stunning and out-of-the-box piece. You can add some more sparkle with some accent stones on the bridge or by choosing a pavé band.
Vintage style rings
Intricate engraving, milgrain designs and fancy diamond shapes that are reminiscent of past times, vintage rings have been, and still are, one of the most popular styles for those who are looking for a unique ring. Compliment your vintage style ring by choosing pretty rose gold or a yellow gold metal for a beautiful antique finish.
Trends of 2018
Split shank engagement rings
A split shank offers an elegant, architectural finish to an otherwise simple solitaire diamond ring and has been a firm favourite among brides-to-be for many years. This is where the shank of the ring is split either side of the diamond, revealing part of the finger, and is more commonly found on solitaire designs. There are many variations of this style, from simple and contemporary to diamond-adorned vintage designs, which is probably why it is a trend that is here to stay.
Rose Gold Engagement Rings
Otherwise known as the metal colour of love, rose gold has a loyal fanbase, with many brides-to-be choosing this precious metal for both their engagement and wedding rings. First seen in home furnishings and tech, rose gold has seen a massive rise in popularity in recent years - proving that the pretty blush tone is here to stay.
Emerald-cut diamond rings
If it’s good enough for Beyoncé then it’s certainly good enough for us. Beyoncé’s ring is reportedly a whopping 24 carats! We love her emerald cut diamond and it seems that many brides-to-be agree, as this contemporary shape has become a firm favourite for proposals.
Trends of 2017
Classic solitaire rings
As the old saying goes, ‘If it ain't broke, don’t fix it’, and it seems to apply to the solitaire diamond engagement ring. This classic style has been popular since De Beers encouraged more men to purchase diamond engagement rings back in the 1940’s and it’s fanbase certainly isn’t diminishing anytime soon.
Side Stone Engagement Rings
Another timeless and classic favourite - the side stone ring! A solitaire diamond with intricate side stones on the band was the second most popular engagement ring style in 2017 and remains a firm favourite today.
Halo rings
Unsurprisingly, halo rings were, and still are, a popular choice for an engagement ring. This style consists of a central diamond that is surrounded by a halo of smaller stones, giving the illusion of one larger stone (perfect for smaller carat weights). Not only is this style a pretty and glamorous choice for white diamonds, it is also popular for coloured gemstones.
SHOP ENGAGEMENT RINGS
White Gold Side Stone Diamond Engagement Ring
From £732