HALLMARKING VOLUMES CONTINUE TO FEEL THE EFFECT OF HIGH PRECIOUS METAL PRICES THROUGHOUT 2011 The total number of untis hallmarked by the four UK Assay Offices in the year totalled 10,681,714 compared to 14,841,840 in 2012, a reduction of 26.8%. All categories of metal have been affected with Gold down 24.1%, Silver down 29.4%, Platinum down 10.3% and Palladium down 6.7%. For the third year running more silver articles were hallmarked than gold, but the increase in the price of silver throughout 2011 has also taken its toll on the number of silver units being submitted for hallmarking. The shift within the jewellery industry towards fashion branded products, many containing little if any precious metal, and more silver jewellery being made under the hallmarking weight of 7.78 grams has also affected the total number of units being handled by the UK Assay Offices. To subscribe to our monthly distribution of the Hallmarking Figures please email gem@theassayoffice.co.uk

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