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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.
February 06, 2019 | 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.
Whether you’ve been married for years or are enjoying the start of a blossoming relationship, Valentine’s Day is the day to show your partner how much you adore them. The dedicated holiday for all things romantic, it can mean picking the perfect gift often comes with a lot of pressure.
If you’re struggling for Valentines ideas for the special person in your life, look no further than this list. You’re guaranteed to find a romantic gift within your budget with our seven romantic Valentine’s ideas.
1. Diamond ring
Give a gift that lasts a lifetime by picking out some stunning jewellery for your loved one. Valentine’s Day is the time to celebrate romance, making it the optimal moment for a proposal with a stunning diamond ring. There are plenty of opulent designs to choose from to help you find the perfect match, including traditional round cuts and the more contemporary heart style.
The perfect Valentines idea for: Someone you want to tie the knot to.
2. Earrings
If you’re not ready to get down on one knee just yet, get your date something personal with a pair of charming gemstone earrings. They’re another gift that lasts a lifetime and are a staple part of any woman’s wardrobe. Match the gem to their birthstone and you’re guaranteed to put a smile on their face. The pop of colour upgrades any outfit instantly so they’ll quickly become a favourite amongst their jewellery collection.
The perfect Valentines idea for: Someone who loves a bit of sparkle.
3. Experience days
Stray from the traditional gift and give them something to look forward to with a pre-planned experience day. Ideal if your partner is typically hard to buy for, it’s easy to pick the perfect gift based on their interests. Spoil the lady in your life to a refined lunch in a fancy tea room or gift your man an exciting race track experience. There are options to meet all price points, so you don’t have to worry about overspending. Whatever your interest, there’s an experience day for you both to get stuck into.
The perfect Valentines idea for: Someone who prefers experiences over material gifts.
4. DIY Hamper
Pre-made hampers can be pricey, plus making one yourself lets your partner know you’ve put thought and effort into the gift. The design of your DIY gift basket can be as extravagant or minimalist as you’d like, the most important part of the hamper is filling it with their favourite goodies. You can opt for a theme if your partner has something specific they love, whether that be chocolates or fitness. Start with a plain basket or box before piling it full of treats and wrapping it in cellophane to finish it all off.
If you fancy your chances at winning a Fortnum & Mason hamper for that someone special, you’re in luck. Worth £150, the winner will receive a luxurious hamper filled with goodies like personalised champagne and a selection of sweet treats.
Simply sign up to the Diamond’s Factory newsletter and you’ll be automatically entered into our Valentine’s competition.
The perfect Valentines idea for: Someone who likes a very personal gift made with love.
5. Photo album
Everyone loves that nostalgic feeling you get when flipping through a packed photo album, making them the perfect gift for a loved one. Not only is it sure to impress with its thoughtful nature, but photo albums are very affordable. Simply print out your photos and fill the pages with beautiful memories. Write some cute notes on each page describing the day or how you feel looking back on them for an added touch that the receiver is sure to return to again and again for that warm fuzzy feeling.
The perfect Valentines idea for: Someone sentimental that you share fond memories with.
6. Weekend trip away
There’s nothing quite like exploring a new city with your partner. A weekend away requires careful planning, especially if you plan on going abroad. The look on their face when you pass over the tickets is sure to make it all worthwhile. Places like Italy, France and Germany are known for their beauty, as well as being packed full of interesting activities. You don’t have to splash the cash to enjoy a weekend away, there’s plenty of places in the UK that are full of culture and fun places to visit that don’t require the airfare to reach.
The perfect Valentines idea for: Someone who loves to travel.
7. A home cooked meal
If you fancy yourself a bit of a chef, get stuck into creating your partner's favourite dishes. Prepare everything from scratch to really impress them - no cheating allowed! It doesn’t have to be an upscale four-course meal - unless you want it to be - there are many easy recipes to follow that produce delicious dishes. It’s the day to express your love, so try transforming your dining room into a more romantic setting. Presentation is key with this idea; why not print out a personalised menu and light some candles?
The perfect Valentines idea for: Someone who is a major foodie.
Give your partner a gift they’re sure to adore with Diamonds Factory’s range of breathtaking jewellery.
4 Prong Setting Solitaire Pendant
From £203
3 Prong Setting Tennis Bracelet
From £2,909
4 Prong Setting Full Eternity Diamond Ring
From £401
White Gold Round Diamond Halo Earrings
From £1,429