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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.
April 16, 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.
If you are in the process of planning your wedding, then there are plenty of things to consider. From deciding on a colour scheme, and selecting your favourite flowers, to choosing your wedding rings and thinking about wedding favours. Most likely your wedding party, such as your bridesmaids, will be offering some help and advice to you right now. Why not show your appreciation to your bridesmaids with a thoughtful gift?
It has become more and more popular for brides to gift their bridesmaids with diamond jewellery. One benefit is that both the bridesmaid’s jewellery and the gift is covered in one go. What’s more, you could give your bridesmaids the same piece, so they match each other, or similar styles to show their individuality. A beautiful piece of jewellery makes a luxurious and sentimental gift, but if you are searching for more affordable bridesmaid gifts there is plenty of choice. Why not try a chocolate subscription or some cool personalised stationery? Here are some of our top gift ideas for your loyal team of bridesmaids.
Basket of spa products
Treat your bridesmaids to a bunch of spa products that will allow themselves to pamper and indulge before your big day. Not only is this a gift they are bound to love, but it will also ensure they are looking and feeling their best for your wedding! Why not try creating them yourself by purchasing a selection of mini spa products and cheap wicker baskets? Decorate them however you please to create beautiful and very affordable gifts.
Gemstone stud earrings
A beautiful pair of earrings makes for a luxurious and sentimental gift. If you choose a pair of pretty gemstone earrings for your bridesmaids you can select one gemstone for everyone or mix them up to match their style. You could also try gifting them depending on their birthday month. For example, sapphire is the gemstone of those born in September, so if one of your bridesmaids celebrates their birthday in that month, then it makes a great sentimental gift.
Personalised stationery
If your bridesmaids are the creative types, they are guaranteed to appreciate some personalised stationery. Choose their favourite coloured notebook, to match their personality, and get their initials embossed for a completely personal touch that they are bound to fall in love with.
Dainty diamond bracelet
They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, so why not treat your bridal team with a luxurious gift they deserve? A dainty diamond bracelet is not only a thoughtful and sentimental gift, but it can also be worn on your wedding day so that your bridesmaids have a piece of jewellery that matches. This pretty style will add a bit of sparkle to their ensemble as well as serving as a fond reminder of your wedding day for years to come.
Wine and cheese basket
For a sophisticated gift that won’t cost the earth, why not choose a wine and cheese basket? Make your own, by using recycled wooden crates (scour your local markets or second-hand stores for them) and filling them with delicious goodies. Alternatively, you could choose baskets that have already been created by a specialist store. If your friends are foodies at heart they will love this gift.
Scented candle
We love a scented candle to unwind and de-stress. Treat each of your bridal team to a beautiful scented candle so that they can relax and pamper themselves in time for your big day. You can also opt, in most cases, to get each candle monogrammed with their initials. Your bridesmaids are guaranteed to love the personal touch!
Diamond heart pendant
Show gratitude to your team of bridesmaids with pretty heart diamond pendants. We love this dainty style that is adorned with a sweet cluster of diamonds. Choose from silver, white gold, yellow gold or platinum, depending on your preferences. Just remember to give them their pendants prior to your wedding so they can wear them on the big day.
Pave Setting Heart Pendant
From £847