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.
Know More
As we head even further into the second half of 2023, we thought it’s about time we pulled together some of the most trending wedding venues of the year so far. If you’re currently on your search for the perfect wedding venue, we’ve got you covered with 5 of the most unique and top trending wedding venues in the UK right now. From fairgrounds to whimsical gardens that’ll have you feeling like you’re in Italy, these spectacular wedding venues are not to be missed.
WEDDING RING INSPIRATION
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The Mill Barns, Shropshire
A wedding venue with the extra added difference of it actually floating upon water, The Mill Barns has fast become a popular spot to tie the knot with thanks to its picturesque and picture-perfect waterfront setting. Previously home to a 17th century water mill, The Mill Barns is a breath-taking venue both inside and out too. Offering both the option of indoor and outdoor weddings too, this spacious venue offers both modern elegance and a rustic barn-style edge too, the best of both worlds. Set on a whopping eight acres of landscaped gardens too, if you’re on the hunt for a unique countryside wedding that ticks all the boxes than look no further than The Mill Barns.
Marleybrook House, Kent
Ever dreamed of having your very own fairground at your wedding? Get ready to scream if you want to go faster at Marleybrook House! Complete with the UK’s largest private fairground, this super rustic wedding venue has everything you need for turning the wedding of your dreams into a reality. Set in the rural idyllic bliss of the Kentish countryside, this amazing venue also has a depth of history behind it too. Once home to the iconic singer, actress and cabaret star Eartha Kitt, Marleybrook House was used at this time as her home away from home, her country retreat. If you consider you and your partner thrill seekers, this may just be the perfect spot to show off those new shiny wedding rings that you’re sporting mid-Ferris wheel ride!
Tunnels Beaches, Devon
If you and your husband or wife-to-be love nothing more than being beside the seaside, we’ve got the perfect trending wedding venue that’s about to set your seaside-loving soul on fire. This stunning venue is nestled away in the heart of Devon and can only be accessed by its very own hand-carved tunnel through the cliff and sports its own private beach too. With couples travelling all over the globe to this sensational venue, if you’re looking to give your photographer a seriously easy day at the office with a venue that does all the hard work for you, this dramatic setting is the perfect place to get wed. With lavish BBQ menus, an ice cream tricycle and a cake made of cheese available to hire, alongside the serene sparkling shore that comes as part of the package, the possibilities really are endless are this magnificent venue.
Wotton House, Surrey
If modern luxury is you and your partners style, Wotton House is set to steal your heart faster than you can say Bridgerton. With a magnitude of features that’ll really take yours and your guest’s breath away, this dreamy venue features a 17th century mansion with its very own library ceremony room option and award-winning Grade II listed Italian gardens too. With the interior featuring the most spectacular 17th century pillars and the buildings original marble fireplaces too, you’re sure to find something truly magical at every turn at this stunning venue.
Woolwich Town Hall, London
A more traditional venue option, did you know you could get married in Woolwich’s incredibly designed town hall? If you’re after a more ‘London’ style wedding or even something a little more intimate, this special building was opened in 1906 and is loved by many thanks to its Edwardian architectural properties – plus it even has the Wes Anderson fans swooning left right and centre. With its high pink pastel ceilings and shiny checkerboard floor, if a non-negotiable on your venue hunt is remarkable architecture, Woolwich Town Hall may just be the perfect place for you.
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