Great timing with this as I was about to post the link to a piece on hallmarking in the FT
https://www.ft.com/content/c294f773-...f-1c54ab990b34
I recall that when I toured the London office and was chatting to the amazing bods actually doing the testing they asked us not to wrap and wrap and wrap every single piece in about a meter of bubble wrap or otherwise mean that it takes them time and effort even to find the piece.
Suggest you make a mark on the piece in something like red non permanent marker where you want the marks to go..which again makes the assayer's life easier as he isn't trying to guess what you want.
I think that all the metalwork should be done so a soldered bail should be attached but a bail which is just closed with pliers is not a perm. part of the piece so doesn't need to go.
Don't be scared. While I am with London and not Brum, I reckon the staff at the assay office will be just as lovely and ready to help (especially if you haven't irritated them!)
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