Hallmarking in the UK as a foreigner?

[Icarleug]

Hello everyone!

I have a few questions about hallmarking, namely concerning if I can register and send my work to the UK for marking, and with a CCM stamp as well (at least for gold if I ever do that).

1) Would I as a foreigner (Sweden) be able to register for a makers mark at an assay office in the UK?
2) Assuming I can, would the assay office be able to mark it and return it to me (in Sweden), I can send it to the office, but I believe I will have a hard time enclosing a pre-stamped envelope for return.
3) Are there any spot lab costs or such things to be aware of (like extra costs if they decide they have to check your items more thoroughly or applying for a CCM stamp)?

I guess you ask: Why don't you register with a Swedish assay office?
Answer: I asked them, and their disheartening response was that in order to export (mark it with the CCM stamp) I need to register for a Swedish makers mark and they need to make a destructive test of everything I send in (so basically I need to make one item extra for every kind of item I want to stamp (and I don't plan on making mass-produced items)), and that every such destructive test would cost a lot of money.

As a hobbyist it wouldn't be worth it to send it in for hallmarking with a CCM stamp, I could hallmark it in Sweden anyway but then I wouldn't be able to sell anything in the UK if it was heavier than 7.78g.
Also, it would be nice to have a makers mark, and the UK one is cheap.
That, and the UK services are a lot better!

Oh, I know I am new at this and it might be a bit early to consider hallmarks when I have not even made a silver item yet, but I like to be prepared.

/Andreas

[Truffle & Podge]

When you say destructive, how destructive do you mean? in the UK all items sent for hallmarking are tested for purity level before being marked, some of the peeps on here have had a badtime with some of the offices basically ruining work when testing it

[Icarleug]

She told me it would be destroyed, so very destructive... I have no idea what they do to it, perhaps dissolve it in acid or something...
At least that is what she told me.

And they would also charge me with about £40 per test they had to make... Also it was one test per design (well, per part of the design as well if it contains several compounds I think)
Kind of kills the sales if you need to charge £40 + time and materials for another item extra if you want to sell it outside of Sweden (and only in the CCM part as well).

Especially since silver don't need to be hallmarked at all in Sweden (so that is a tip for those wanting to sell things here )
Though with all the fake things from Asia it would be very nice to have one.

/Andreas

[ps_bond]

The 2 methods that I know of over here are X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (non-destructive testing) and "traditional" assay with acids - but even that doesn't result in the complete destruction of the piece, it's just a scraping.

[Dennis]

Our member SteveLAO(London Assay Office) should be answering this question, but he might still be recovering from some long days at International Jewellery London, Earls Court. As far as I know' you will be treated in the same way as a British resident and the London assay office is very friendly and not at all destructive. If you use our search box top right, you can also find out about laser marking.

Why don't you contact them direct and ask for an information pack? Dennis.

[Icarleug]

I also thought they would just scrape it, but they claimed that the object would be damaged beyond repair, so no idea what they would do to it.
You have a lot of nice toys in your assay offices, and it sure would be nice with laser etching.

By the way, do you still need to get a punch if you want laser etching on all your items?

Will contact the office directly and ask them.

/Andreas

[Dennis]

Quote: By the way, do you still need to get a punch if you want laser etching on all your items?

No and what is more you can specify the size of the mark for each piece. Dennis.

[art925]

The assay office here in NL always ask for testing material of all the components of the items to be stamped, so rather than testing the actual item they use the test pieces. For me it leaves the system open to abuse by those less reputable, but at least the item is returned in the same state it entered the building, (provided I opt for laser stamping).

Les

[Gemsetterchris]

As far as I know "inspecta" inspect everything near enough & they do testing & marking of jewellery..at least the goldsmiths in Finland use them.

[SteveLAO]

CCM is not a separate test in itself in the UK....the items is tested first and then the UK mark is applied, and at this stage the CCM is also applied if requested...