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Ever increasing gold prices are driving significant changes in the UK fine jewellery trade, one such trend being the introduction of ‘bonded gold’ and an increase in gold plated and rolled gold products coming to market. ‘Bonded gold’ items are produced with a thick layer of gold alloy “bonded” on to a base metal or sterling silver core. The resulting article is only about 10% gold alloy by weight on average, but could be easily mistaken as an all-gold item by the consumer or the retailer.

Such products have been introduced from the United States where there are clear regulations for marking and describing them. Â However, the descriptor ’bonded gold’ is not specifically permitted by the 1973 Hallmarking Act, which did not envisage the development of the process at the time it was drafted. Advice has been sought from the British Hallmarking Council (BHC) by Trading Standards Authorities about the use of the term “bonded gold” and as to the correct way to mark such items. Official guidance has now been issued, based on the existing provisions covering rolled gold and plated gold in the 1973 Hallmarking Act.

The BHC’s view is that no enforcement action should be taken in respect of the use of the term “bonded gold”. Â The BHC further stipulates that, assuming the core is 925 ie Sterling Silver, the article should carry a full SILVER hallmark, or a 925 stamp if it is under the Hallmarking exemption weight for silver of 7.78 grams.Â Bonded Gold on a base metal core CANNOT be hallmarked.
No stand-alone gold fineness marks will be permitted on bonded gold articles, because they are potentially confusing and misleading to UK consumers.Â It is not permitted additionally to mark the article 9k, 10k, 14k, 18k etc., as is common practice in the United States.Â The ONLY circumstance in which this is allowed is if the gold fineness is immediately preceded or followed by the words “Bonded Gold”, “Rolled Gold” or “Gold Plated”.Â For example, an article with a silver hallmark (or 925 stamp on underweight articles) can be marked as follows ‘925 & 18ct bonded gold/rolled gold/gold plated’.

It is also emphasised that the bonded gold layer must be of a fineness of at least 375 parts per thousand and of a recognised in UK standard.Â So, for example, ‘bonded gold’ of apparently 10K can only be described as 9 carat.Â This follows the practice for gold plated and rolled gold articles in the UK.
The guidance applies to all bonded gold, rolled gold and gold plated silver articles below the 7.78 gram exemption weight for hallmarking, as well as for those requiring hallmarking.Â The exemption is an exemption from hallmarking itself, not from the requirements of every other part of the Hallmarking Act 1973.
Mr Christopher Jewitt, newly appointed Chairman of the BHC says “Some of the bonded gold items we have seen had very confusing markings and the consumer could easily have believed them to be 9ct gold throughout. The British Hallmarking Council supports Trading Standards and the Assay Offices in implementing and enforcing this important guidance to ensure that UK jewellers and consumers are protected from being misled.”

The full Guidance from the British Hallmarking Council can be found at www.bis.gov.uk/britishhallmarkingcouncil or on any of the four UK Assay Offices websites. www.theassayoffice.co.uk/bonded_gold.html>

For more information contact Geraldine Swanton, Secretary, British Hallmarking Council, or ask your Assay Office.

British Hallmarking Council Secretariat
Geraldine Swanton (Secretary)
British Hallmarking Council
No 1 Colmore Square
Birmingham
B4 6AA
Tel: 0870 763 1455
Fax: 0870 763 1855
Email: geraldine.swanton@martineau-uk.com

Birmingham Assay Office
Michael Allchin (Assay Master)
PO Box 151
Newhall Street
Birmingham
B3 1SB
Tel: 0121 236 6951
Fax: 0121 236 9032
Email: michael.allchin@theassayoffice.co.uk

Â Assay Office London
Robert Organ (Deputy Warden)
The Assay Office
Goldsmiths' Hall
Gutter Lane
London
EC2V 8AQ
Tel: 0207 606 8971
Fax: 0207 814 9353
E-mail: robert.organ@assayofficelondon.co.uk

Edinburgh Assay Office
Scott Walter (Assay Master)
Edinburgh Assay Office
24 Broughton Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3RH
Tel: 0131 556 1144
Fax: 0131 556 1177
Email: swalter@assay-office.co.uk

Sheffield Assay Office
Ashley Carson (Assay Master)
The Assay Office
Guardians' Hall
Beulah Road
Hillsborough
Sheffield
S6 2AN
Tel: 0114 231 2121
Fax: 0114 233 9079
Email: carsona@assayoffice.co.uk