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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.
August 06, 2018 | 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.
What is an eternity ring?
An eternity ring, also known as infinity ring, traditionally features an endless row of same size diamonds set in a precious metal, like gold or platinum. The meaning of eternity rings is never ending love and is usually given to celebrate a milestone in the life of a couple like an anniversary or the birth of the first child.
The history of eternity rings
Viewed as a symbol of unending love, the eternity ring has stood the test of time as one of the most historic ring designs. The meaning of “eternity” comes from the idea of the circular band representing infinity. It’s a deeply romantic thought but, when did eternity rings originate? It is thought that the first eternity ring was created 4000 years ago by the Egyptians, where instead of commemorating a special occasion these rings were given as a token of love between couples.
Early examples of eternity rings were metal bands set with a stone or rings portraying a snake swallowing its own tail, a symbol used to represent eternity.
When do you give an eternity ring?
Eternity rings are commonly gifted for the birth of a new baby or a wedding anniversary, as they symbolise everlasting love and an eternal bond shared between two people. Sometimes they are given to mark a special milestone such as a birthday or celebration.
There is one thing that eternity rings are always known for: pure luxury. With diamonds encrusted all around the metal band, eternity rings have a remarkable sparkle that shines around the band when viewed from most angles. The diamonds come in different sizes and styles. They’re very noticeable from a distance and are perfect to combine with other rings.
Eternity ring designs
Full eternity rings
Full eternity rings are one of the most luxurious options since these rings are set with stones, typically diamonds, around the entire band of the ring. Full eternity rings have an exceptional show of light and can be worn alone on the right hand or in between the wedding ring and engagement ring. Head to our other article to learn which order to wear your wedding, engagement and eternity rings. One thing to consider about full eternity rings is that they can’t be resized so it is good to know your partner’s size (or yours!) correctly.
Half eternity rings
They might have fewer stones but that doesn’t mean they are less stunning. Half eternity rings are set with stones halfway around the band featuring either same size stones or stones in a variety of sizes and shapes. This style of eternity rings can be less expensive but at the end, it will depend on the quality of the stones. Half eternity rings can be resized as long as it is not engraved.
Diamond Eternity Rings
Without a doubt, diamond eternity rings are a symbol of luxury and love and are the most popular option when it comes to eternity rings. Diamonds are one of the most precious and unique stones, so who wouldn’t want to have a ring that is almost made entirely by diamonds?
Diamond eternity ring cuts
Usually, only 3 shapes are used to make diamond eternity rings although a combination of the three is an option.
Round cut eternity rings
This shape is magical since it works perfectly with almost every type of setting. Round diamonds have a beautiful sparkle thanks to its shape being symmetrical 360-degree. A classic and beautiful choice without a doubt like this stunning 4-prong eternity ring.
Princess cut eternity rings
This shape has square and clean lines which make it perfect for an eternity ring since each diamond will fit seamlessly next to the other. Princess diamonds are classic but yet modern and are the ideal choice for those who love the sparkle of a round diamond with a contemporary twist.
Baguette cut eternity rings
This shape is commonly used in eternity rings, mixed with other shapes or alone. This versatile diamond shape can be featured vertical or horizontally for a more dramatic look.
Gemstone Eternity Rings
A more colourful take on the eternity rings. There are many styles from having only one type of gemstone to mixing them altogether or even including diamonds in the mix. The most popular gemstones to use in eternity rings are rubies, sapphires and emeralds since these gemstones are the most precious and harder after diamonds. But you could also choose others, maybe your partner’s birthstone. At Diamonds Factory we offer a free bespoke service where you can design the eternity ring of your dreams. Click here to know more.
Eternity Rings Setting Types and Shapes
Prong
This type of setting wraps the diamond and overlaps it slightly at the top to hold it in place. Prong settings are more suitable for round diamonds and allow the maximum amount of light to enter the diamond, creating an extraordinary show of lights.
Bezel
This type of setting encircles the diamond with a thin metal rim that holds the stone in place. Bezel settings are perfect for those who have a more active lifestyle contrary to prong settings that are prone to snag on clothing or furniture, with the risk of the setting getting loose and ending up losing the diamond.
This setting gives an edgy and modern look to a classic eternity ring.
Channel
A beautiful setting that sets each stone next to the other, with no metal in between, creating a channel. Channel settings are perfect for those with a very active lifestyle since the diamonds are protected. This setting is perfect for princess, round and baguette shaped diamonds. You can browse our amazing Channel collection here.Channel Setting Full Eternity Diamond Ring
Bar
Similar to a Channel setting, bar settings feature a long thinned bar shared between two is stones that holds each stone perfectly. This type of setting allows a lot of light in, so sparkles are ensured.Bar Setting Full Eternity Diamond Ring
Which metal should you choose for an eternity ring?