It Begins with Craftsmanship
Precious metals are treasured by many. Not just for their inherent value, but also for their aesthetic appeal. Skilled jewellers employ a variety of techniques to shape these metals into stunning creations, with each approach creating a slightly different outcome.
There are hundreds of jewellers based in the UK, creating pieces from gold, silver, platinum and palladium to sell to consumers. The techniques used during manufacture directly impact the quality and durability of a finished piece of precious metal jewellery.
After precious metal jewellery is manufactured, it then must be sent to an Assay Office for testing and hallmarking. In the UK and many other countries around the world, hallmarking is a legal requirement to sell pieces of precious metal jewellery over a certain weight.
Authentication
Testing and hallmarking are done by one of the four independent, government-authorised Assay Offices in the UK: Edinburgh, Birmingham, London and Sheffield. The purpose of the Assay Office is to independently verify and guarantee precious metal fineness for any item that will be sold in the UK.
Without this essential step, it is illegal for any business operating in the luxury jewellery sectory to put any un-hallmarked precious metal item (over the weight threshold) up for sale. There are three compulsory hallmarks in the UK: the Maker/Sponsor’s Mark; the Metal (Fineness) Purity Mark; and the Assay Office Mark. These marks give product traceability for the end consumer, enabling consumers to make informed choices and allowing retailers to compete on an honest, level playing field.
When a piece of precious metal jewellery arrives at an Assay Office, it is tested to determine the pieces’ precious metal fineness. Our partners, Edinburgh Assay Office, operate an on-site sub-office at our Heathrow logistics centre, utilising the latest, state-of-the-art XRF testing. XRF screening is a non-destructive testing method that ensures precision. This also ensures items leave the hallmarking process in perfect condition. At By Appointment, we have worked with EAO to simplify the hallmarking process for our clients, embedding this into our existing logistics service. This ensures every item leaving our facility is full compliant with UK hallmarking regulations and is ready for sale to the end consumer.
Luxury Couriers
Moving precious metals from hallmarking back to the seller, (or its final destination dependant on the bespoke chain in each instance) is a process that must be handled with due care and attention. Precious metals are high-value goods that have a high theft rate in the UK, with over 32% of UK burglaries targeting jewellery and watches. This means that the transportation from Assay Office to both retailers and end consumer must be extremely secure, maintaining discretion as a non-negotiable into each delivery.
This is a concern for the industry as a whole, ensuring the safety of jewellery, mitigating threat of loss, damage of theft during transport and freight.
When transporting jewellery, we ensure that every package is handled discreetly and securely transport your pieces seamlessly from door to door.
At By Appointment, our transportation wing is led by Ferrari Express, who have facilitated us the ability to courier imported/shipped jewellery via our discreet boutique experience and delivery systems. Ferrari Express, whom we operate within, have over 30 years of logistical experience. This, coupled with the reputation of our hallmarking partner, Edinburgh Assay Office, provides our clientele with the reassurance on the quality of our processes. Our transportation systems work in conjunction with the renowned Ferrari Express to deliver on our promises.
Book By Appointment
Every step – receipt, testing, authentication, hallmarking, packaging and transport – is handled in-house at our Heathrow logistics centre, supported by our partners Edinburgh Assay Office. This assures luxury jewellery businesses, end-users and one-off clientele that the path of movement of their precious metals, under responsibility of By Appointment, is trustworthy.
Working in partnership with the Edinburgh Assay Office to test and hallmark precious metal articles, and distributing under Ferrari Express via discreet vehicles, ensures the utmost protection for luxury jewellery every step of the way.
Keep a secure chain on your next jewellery piece by choosing By Appointment. Submit a hallnote for expedited hallmarking, or simply request our logistics services today and see what a difference the By Appointment journey could make on your business.
