First Items Sent for Hallmarking!

**Ominicci** · 13-11-2009, 01:08 PM

Well I have got them back now and am quite disappointed with nearly all the pieces lot

Apart from not really being able to see the mark even with a magnifying glass, whoever did it needs some more training! On some of them the sponsors mark is at a different angle from the rest of the mark. They did tell me to send pieces in a unfinished state, i.e. before final polish, but if I polish some of these pieces I will polish the mark away as it is so lightly imprinted! The rings marked on the chain mail are examples of this. They are certainly not what I would expect to see if I was buying from a shop and don't look like the hallmarked pieces I have bought

I will try and take some pics with superduper new camera - when I work out how to use it!!

Anyone else experienced this, or have any comments/advice?

**bustagasket** · 13-11-2009, 01:10 PM

oo eck i am not looking forward to doing this!

**Di Sandland** · 13-11-2009, 01:33 PM

Oh, Nicci, that's pants.

Await pics with interest

**ps_bond** · 13-11-2009, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Ominicci

Anyone else experienced this, or have any comments/advice?

Well, 0.5mm is pretty small... I think that's what my punch is from what I remember. As for the accuracy/imprint, I'd suggest contacting them & seeing what they have to say. Clearly you're not happy with the results, and the assay offices are, from what I've seen, fairly customer focussed (even if we are small fry).

I've had no problems with AOL stamping pieces - I've even made life awkward for them and had 0.8mm earwires stamped (there was nowhere else to mark it!).

**Solunar Silver Studio** · 13-11-2009, 01:50 PM

Some of mine have been a bit iffy in the past but all of them have been deep enough to stand a good polishing! I just look at it that I have ticked the legal boxes and I can prove what my jewellery is made from. I don't consider it to be an artistic statement...not at 0.5mm anyway!! I think they take a great deal more care with hallmarks that are a design feature and are 10 times bigger than our ones!

**mizgeorge** · 13-11-2009, 04:44 PM

Oh Nicci, what a shame. Which office do you use? I'd certainly be contacting them if you're not happy - your hallmark should be something you can take pride in.

**MuranoSilver** · 13-11-2009, 05:14 PM

Nicci
I use Assay Office London and they don't charge to make the Laser file.
They also let me pick what size stamp I had created. Definately not light stamps from them (usually the opposite, lol)
nic x

**Emerald** · 13-11-2009, 05:23 PM

Oh Nic what a shame as they are you first pieces, sadly at this time of year there are a lot of students and xmas staff, do as George suggested and tell them you are not happy and see what they say xx

**Lindyloo** · 13-11-2009, 09:31 PM

I think you should push for getting your next lot done for free. Bit difficult to remedy something like this, so they should compensate you for it.

**mizgeorge** · 13-11-2009, 10:07 PM

Just seen your comment about the maille Nicci, and that was the reason I asked you if you'd decided on where to mark them.

I've pretty much given up on marking on the chains themselves for anything under 1.5mm wire, and have reverted to tags attached by a soldered link, or having the clasp marked. Not ideal, but I don't think anything is for maille.