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.
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If you’re in the process of planning your wedding, then as you well know, there are plenty of things to consider and it can get a little overwhelming. From deciding on a colour scheme, to selecting your flowers, and thinking about wedding favours – the list goes on, and your bridesmaids will be offering some help and advice to you right now. So why not show your appreciation with a thoughtful gift? It's become more and more popular for brides to gift their bridesmaids with diamond jewellery. One benefit to this is that both your bridesmaid’s jewellery for the day and the gift is then covered in one go. You could even give your bridesmaids the same piece, so they can all match each other, or similar styles to show their individuality. A beautiful piece of jewellery makes a luxurious and sentimental gift, but if you’re searching for more affordable bridesmaid gifts there is plenty of choice. Why not try a hamper of their favourite foods, or some spa goodies so they can wind down after all the wedding chaos. Here are some of our top gift ideas for your team of beautiful bridesmaids.
Make it Personal
B Initial Pendant Necklace in Silver
From £124
C Diamond Initial Pendant Necklace
From £230
D Initial Pendant Necklace in Silver
From £124
J Diamond Initial Pendant Necklace
From £230
N Initial Pendant Necklace in Silver
From £124
W Diamond Initial Pendant Necklace
From £230
4 Prong Setting Round Blue Sapphire Stud Earring
From £180
Tension Setting Pearl Stud Earrings
From £238
Round Solitaire Pendant and Earring Set
From £486
Bezel Look Necklace and Earring Set
From £671
Oval Blue Sapphire Pendant and Earring Set
From £1,052
Twisted Round Solitaire Pendant and Earring Set
From £784
Safety Pin Look Fashion Pendant and Earring Set
From £634
4 Prong Setting Emerald Pendant
From £131
Semi Bezel Round Peridot Solitaire Pendant
From £241
Pave Setting Round Ruby Circle Pendant
From £253
Bezel Set Round Aquamarine Pendant
From £1,218
Prong Setting Heart Pendant
From £289
2 Prong Setting Heart Pendant
From £1,001
Pave Setting Round Diamond Heart Pendant
From £413
Micro Pave Diamond Heart Pendant
From £358
Spa Treats
Say a big thank you for all their help throughout the trials and tribulations of your wedding period with a gorgeous hamper filled with spa goodies! Not only does it look the part, but it’s the perfect pick-me-up that allows them to kick back and relax once your wedding celebrations are officially over. Want to go the extra mile? Take a trip just the two of you and opt for a luxurious spa day instead.
Gift a Gift Set
Scented candle
We love a scented candle to unwind and de-stress. Treat your bridesmaids to a beautifully scented candle so that they can relax and pamper themselves in time for your big day. If you want to make it even more special, you could also get your candle personalised too. Your bridesmaids are guaranteed to love the personal touch!
Bright Birthstones
Love Shaped Jewellery