hallmarking....?

[noname]

Feeling an obligation to hallmark items...anyone one got any advice, please.

[Moon Willow]

Hi, I think this is going to be a subject that's going to get a lot of feedback, I'm just in the process of registring my company at the Birmingham assay office, £60 plus vat, the punch cost £70 plus vat for up to 2 initials and I think a laser mark is £50 extra .......gulp !!! then you need to re-register every 5 years.

If you go to their web site they have got some useful information,
Illegal to sell gold without an hallmark, silver above a few grams should be hallmarked, your customer is happy that the metal is what you claim it is (most haven't a clue how to read a hallmark)

A friend of mine (ex director of jewellery company) told me that clients have tracked him down through the hallmark on his jewels.

Kind Regards Carlton

[Moon Willow]

Whoops ... that should read "registering"
Carlton

[noname]

How do you describe unhallmarked silver items with a view to selling? "White metal"? Finding the hallmarking rules and regulations a little bit tricky so am considering hallmarking everything, where appropriate...considerations allowing. Just need to find out how one is supposed to describe silver when not being allowed to describe it as silver unless hallmarked as such....

[Moon Willow]

It's sterling silver, or .925 or fine silver if you're using the oh soooooo expensive clay, you can buy a .925 punch up off ebay £6.95

Carlton

[agent_44]

Unless non-hallmarked silver items that are under the weight limit then you are only permitted to sell them as "white metal". It is not OK to describe them as Silver.

[Moon Willow]

If a piece of silver is 7.78 gms or over it needs a hallmark, if it doesn't carry a hallmark you must call it "White metal" under that weight it's okay to call it silver or punch it .925, which is very interesting because a C.B.E, M.B.E and O.B.E's are all over the weight limit and they are not hallmarked and for the last 40 years I've described them as silver to St Jame's Palace, mmmmmmmmmmm I reckon the Queen is breaking the law !!!

But Agent 44 is correct I've just phoned Birmingham assay office to confirm.

Kind Regards
Carlton

[noname]

Have not submitted work for hallmarking since the recent legislation introduced. So am I to understand that the correct term for unhallmarked items is "White Metal", and that this is the correct description to use on paperwork..delivery notes...invoices...etc?

[Laceyloudesign]

I have just registered and got the documentation back as now having my makers mark etc, but I haven't as yet submitted anything for Hallmarking.
I understand that any silver over 7.78 gms has to be hallmarked, but in such as a pair of earrings, is that per earring or combined weight?
Also anyone got any tips for packing items, obviously they need to be well packed but don't want to cause problems at the Assay office either.

Thanks,

Louise

[Joe]

On the positive side, it's per earring! On the negative, both earrings need to be individually hallmarked if heavy enough. The same is true for cuff links, pendant with removable chain etc...

I would love to know what others do about packaging for hallmarking - my attempts seem a bit crude!

[PureGold]

Edinburgh Assay Office (and possibly others) charge to unwrap individually wrapped items. To avoid paying this extra charge I was told by them to lay all items of the same metal standard (eg 925 silver, 9ct gold etc) in a length of bubblewrap and roll it up thus enclosing the items to be hallmarked. Secure this with a length of masking tape because they don't like having to mess around trying to remove sellotape and put your account number on the masking tape to identify the package. Each roll of silver/gold needs a completed hallnote sent with it identifying what items have been sent (usually downloadable from the website). I then enclose it all in a padded envelope and then put this in a heavy duty plastic envelope from the post office. Everything sent Special Delivery with the relevant amount of insurance cover for the value of the contents. It does look a bit shoddy but I have never had any problems...and the Assay Office send it back in a similar state.

[lilia]

that's rediculous! I am registered with the Birmingham one and they don't do anything like this

[mizgeorge]

actually Lilia, they do. Overpackaged parcels (especially those posted rather than handed over the counter) can be charged an unpacking fee - which I believe can be as high as £15.

[lilia]

Oh, I send my items by post, each individually wrapped in a zip lock bag, but never got charged the unpacking fee.

[Minniecat]

I bought a small tupperware type box which I then have some bubble wrap inside to keep items in place. Pop the whole thing in a light jiffy bag. Nice and safe and I haven't had any problems.

[lesley]

I took a day trip to Sheffield Assay Office with my last batch. Each item was in a piece of bubble wrap, in an open padded envelope along with the relevant hallnote. There were three notes, and I was charged an unpacking fee for two, even though they were all wrapped the same way! Go figure. :confused:

I queried this, on receipt of the invoice a couple of weeks later. The unpacking charge was refunded - but only as, "a gesture of goodwill".