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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.
July 10, 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.
Planning to tie the knot soon? If the answer is yes, you may be in the process of arranging the finer details of your wedding. From table decorations and music to food and wedding favours, there are plenty of tasks to tick off your list before the big day.
One thing you may not have considered is your wedding jewellery. It is common to wear a diamond necklace on your wedding day to perfectly complement your ensemble and add some glamour to your look. In this article, we discuss our top wedding diamond necklace types that are guaranteed to make your day that little bit more special.
What should I look for when buying a diamond necklace?
Like most diamond jewellery, there are a few things you need to consider before buying a diamond necklace for your wedding. It is a good idea to educate yourself on the 4 C’s - cut, carat, clarity and colour as it is these factors that indicate the quality of a given diamond.
Cut
Diamond cut refers to how well a diamond has been cut and proportioned. A well-cut diamond will reflect the most light, therefore, have the most sparkle.
Clarity
Diamond clarity refers to the flaws inside or outside a given diamond. Internal flaws are called inclusions, and external flaws are known as blemishes. A flawless diamond is considered the most desirable.
Carat
Diamond carat refers to the weight of a given diamond. Weight has an impact on the size of a diamond, and as each diamond is cut differently, two diamonds with the same carat weight can appear somewhat different in size.
Colour
Diamond colour refers to the shade or hue of a given diamond. Colour is graded on a colour grading scale between D-Z, with D being the most colourless and Z being a yellow/brown tone. Diamonds that are graded closer to D are considered more desirable.
Diamond quality is crucial in some necklace styles when compared to others. For example, if you are searching for a diamond solitaire pendant or a tennis necklace, the quality of the diamond is more important than if you were looking to buy a cluster pendant. This is because diamonds in a cluster pendant are very small, and therefore the quality is difficult to determine.
If you want to find out more about diamonds, head to our diamond buying guide.
Best wedding diamond necklaces
A diamond necklace is a great way to add a bit of extra sparkle to your wedding day. There are some beautiful styles to choose from depending on your budget, taste and preferences. Here are some of our favourites.
Diamond solitaire pendants
If your style is more on the traditional side, a diamond solitaire pendant could be a great wedding necklace for you. It consists of a single diamond, held on a chain, and this simple yet elegant necklace style is a no-fuss choice regardless of what you choose to wear. Plus, it’s versatile style means you will wear it time and time again!
Diamond cluster pendants
If you are on a tight budget, yet you still want to sparkle on your wedding day, a diamond cluster pendant is a great necklace choice. Made up of a ‘cluster’ of intricate diamonds, this pretty necklace style is dainty and feminine.
Yellow diamond pendants
A yellow diamond pendant is a great choice for your wedding day if your style is nothing short of extraordinary. There are a plethora of styles to choose from, such as drop pendants, halo pendants or solitaire styles. Yellow diamonds have an exotic appearance that is guaranteed to capture attention on your big day.
Diamond tennis necklaces
For a fancy finish to your wedding day ensemble, look no further than a diamond tennis necklace. Consisting of a chain, adorned entirely of diamonds, this super luxurious necklace style is perfect for making your special day feel even more glamorous. If you are a fan of diamonds, this necklace style is definitely for you, plus you can wear it with a diamond tennis bracelet for a beautiful coordinating look.
Black diamond pendants
If your style is more alternative, a black diamond pendant is a great choice. Black diamonds are unique and look exquisite when paired with other black diamond jewellery. We particularly love halo black diamond pendants, as the contrast between the white diamonds and black diamonds is extraordinary.
Diamond heart pendants
Show that love is truly in the air on your special day by wearing a beautiful diamond heart pendant. They consist of a heart shape, adorned with either one or multiple diamonds, and can be customised by choosing your preferred precious metal.
Diamond drop pendants
A diamond drop pendant exudes elegance, making it a great option for your wedding. A pear-shaped diamond drop pendant is ideal for your special day as it’s elongated appearance is flattering and elegant. The style you select should also depend on the neckline you will be wearing.
If you wish to learn more about diamond necklaces, head to our other post - The ABC of Diamond Necklaces, alternatively discover our range of diamond rings.