2. Legal Requirements

2.1 Under UK law, any article described as being made of gold, silver, platinum, or palladium and weighing above the exemption weight must carry a legal hallmark applied by a UK Assay Office.

2.2 Exemption weights are:

• Gold & Palladium: 1.0g

• Platinum: 0.5g

• Silver: 7.78g

2.3 It is a criminal offence to describe or sell un-hallmarked articles above these weights as precious metal.

3. Assay Office Hallmarks

3.1 All applicable jewellery will be submitted to a UK Assay Office for hallmarking.
3.2 The hallmark includes:

• Sponsor’s mark (De Vere Diamonds Limited’s (Trading as De Vere Diamonds) sponsor’s mark registered with the Assay Office).

• Metal fineness mark (e.g., 750 for 18ct gold, 950 for platinum).

• Assay Office mark (London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh).

• Optional date or commemorative marks.

3.3 Items below the exemption weight will be sold without hallmarks but must not be misdescribed.

4. Dealer’s Notice

4.1 We will prominently display the British Hallmarking Council Dealer’s Notice both in-store and digitally on our website.
4.2 The Notice explains hallmarks and their meaning to customers.
4.3 All staff are trained to explain hallmarking to customers on request.

5. Metal Descriptions

5.1 All product descriptions will accurately reflect the metal content, using legally recognised standards (e.g., “18ct Gold”, “Platinum 950”).
5.2 Terms such as “vermeil”, “gold plated”, or “rolled gold” will only be used where legally accurate and not misleading.
5.3 We do not use unqualified terms like “gold” or “platinum” unless the item is of solid legally hallmarked precious metal.

6. Mixed-Metal Jewellery

6.1 Where an item contains more than one precious metal, all relevant parts must be hallmarked.
6.2 Non-precious components (steel, ceramic, resin) will be clearly described.

7. Import and Export of Jewellery

7.1 Where jewellery is imported into the UK, it will be submitted to a UK Assay Office for hallmarking before sale, unless covered by a Convention Hallmark under the International Hallmarking Convention.
7.2 For exports, we will provide customers with hallmark explanations and, if necessary, additional certification required by the destination country.

8. Supplier Responsibilities

8.1 All suppliers must confirm that precious metal items supplied to De Vere Diamonds Limited (Trading as De Vere Diamonds) comply with hallmarking law.
8.2 No un-hallmarked items above exemption weight will be accepted into stock.
8.3 Compliance will be verified during supplier due diligence and audits.

9. Customer Transparency

9.1 Customers will always be informed of the metal content and hallmark status of their jewellery.
9.2 Product descriptions online and in marketing will match the legally hallmarked content.
9.3 Any special finishes (rhodium plating, antique finishes) will be disclosed clearly.

10. Enforcement and Training

10.1 All staff handling jewellery must complete training in hallmarking compliance and accurate product description.
10.2 The Compliance Officer is responsible for ensuring adherence to this policy.
10.3 Any breaches may result in disciplinary action and potential legal penalties.

11. Continuous Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

• UK hallmarking law changes,

• British Hallmarking Council guidance is updated,

• De Vere Diamonds Limited (Trading as De Vere Diamonds) expands into new international markets requiring different hallmarking standards.