Hallmarking under threat ?
Whilst it makes sense to reduce unnecessary red tape, the hallmarking standard does provide important controls over the supply of precious metals such as silver, gold and more recently palladium in the UK.
As a result valuable items of jewellery are independently tested and marked to a standard of purity such as 18 carat gold.
Without the work of the Assay Offices in the UK, jewellery lovers and businesses alike may find that they are buying a different quality of precious metal to that which they are expecting.
We'd like hallmarking to stay. If you agree, please add your comments to the debate here.
UPDATE
On 28th July 2011, following a successful industry and consumer campaign to keep this historic practice, the Government announced that the hallmarking system would survive in its present form.
Image Credits:
A Hallmark by the London Assay Office