UK Hallmarking Figures and Trends

Quarterly Hallmarking Figures / October to December 2011

HALLMARKING VOLUMES CONTINUE TO FEEL THE
EFFECT OF HIGH PRECIOUS METAL PRICES THROUGHOUT 2011

The total number of units hallmarked by the four UK Assay Offices in the year totalled 0,681,714 compared to 14,841,840 in 2010, 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 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 units being handled by the UK Assay Offices.

Work dealt with by the Assay Offices of Great Britain, for the Quarter October - December 2011

For the Year 2011

The UK Hallmarking figures are one of the most reliable indicators as to trends in the trade.  Figures shown demonstrate overall trends during the last five years and also trends for gold, silver and platinum individually.


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