Hallmark Research Institute
 Dedicated to education and understanding in precious metal hallmarks around the world


Hallmark Research Institute

Breaking Hallmarking News

April, 2011- Vol 1, Issue 2

IN THIS ISSUE 

 Dear Fellow Hallmark Hunter,
This second edition of HRI's Hallmarking William Whetstone looking at hallmarkNewsletter comes to you with important information and news on hallmarking  around the globe. This has been sent to you as per your request and in an effort to keep all of the Hallmark Research Institute's followers apprised of new developments, changes and/or important hallmarking information as it becomes available.

There is much to report to you here in this edition but if there is only time to read one thing, please  give your attention to the Plea from the UK

Once again, we would like to thank everyone for their support of our on-going research of world hallmarks, and as always, welcome your feedback. Oh yes, for those of you that are curious, we are working on Volume II!  

saveURGENT PLEA FROM BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE

         SAVE HALLMARKING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM


In an email just received from the Birmingham Assay Office, we have learned of the potential removal of regulations that protect the 700 year tradition of precious metal hallmarking in the United Kingdom.  Please take a few moments to read what Michael Allchin of the Birmingham Assay Office, and hallmarking everywhere, needs from all of us to ensure that this time tested, consumer protection process remains in place...

We (at the Birmingham Assay Office) are keen to be sure that everyone is aware of the deregulation exercise which is currently being undertaken by the (UK) Government.

 

The Government's Red Tape Challenge is aimed at abolishing all regulations by default unless a positive argument to keep them is put forward.

 

Hallmarking is not red-tape, it has protected UK consumers for 700 years.

 

Please click on to the red tape challenge website in the text below, and tell the government that Hallmarking is a 'good thing'.

http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/hallmarking/

 

Take a good look around the site.

http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/themehome/retailchallenge/

 

This month it focuses on retail regulations and there are several areas you may wish to comment on: - Sunday Trading, Weights and Measures, Distance Selling, Trading with the Enemy and others

 

Thank you

Michael Allchin

Chief Executive and Assay Master

Birmingham Assay Office 

www.theassayoffice.co.uk

 

uk NEW BRITISH COMMEMORATIVE HALLMARK 
New Jubilee Mark

In July 2011, the UK will introduce the new Diamond Jubilee mark. This  mark has been designed to commemorate the future  celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012. This special commemorative hallmark was approved by the British Hallmarking Council and shows a young Queen Elizabeth wearing a oversized crown, in a diamond shaped outline. This will be an optional hallmark, struck by request only. Click on the image to read more on this new commemorative hallmark. 

fin   NEW RESOURCE FOR FINLAND MARKS

In a recent email to HRI, Finland's Assay Office (Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency, referred to as TUKES) informed us that they have launched a new website dedicated to the easy recognition of Finland's hallmarks, which includes a complete reference of registered responsibility marks identifying Finland's goldsmiths and silversmiths from 1373 to 1950. This fabulous research tool is just another example of the growing global awareness of the importance of precious metal mark recognition.  It is our understanding that this search engine/database is the cumulative efforts of several  key government and corporate entities that were part of a special project group created in 2009 by TUKES, to recover maintained portions of this important, centuries old, archived information. HRI applauds all the efforts of those involved in creating this vital resource.  Click the photo link to the new website.   

FinnishMark
Boat Mark = Helsinki location mark, GW = Responsibility mark for Gabriel Wahlbäck, Crown = Finland Country Hallmark, A-2 = date mark for 1834.

E  CALLING ALL EGYPTIAN HALLMARKS!

 

HRI is currently researching and writing the second book in their three volume series on world hallmarks.  The title of the second volume is "World Hallmarks - Vol.II - Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas."   

 

One of the more recognizable hallmarks of the 20th century are the sequential  hallmarks of Egypt.  These hallmarks provide information as to the type of precious metal, metal fineness, assay office, and even the date year the hallmark was struck.  Please note that beginning in 1916, the date letters used in the Egyptian hallmark sequence were letters from the  classic Latin alphabet, and from 1940 on, the date letters changed to those characters expressed by the Arabic alphabet.   

egyptian mark

Classic Egyptian Hallmark

 

While HRI has been working closely  with the  Cairo Assay Office, we have quickly realized that unless fluent in Arabic dialect and writing, it is difficult to translate post 1940 date characters  hallmarked from what is indicated  in print.  In an effort to establish a visual means of identification, HRI is reaching out to the public for any images of  gold, silver, or platinum Egyptian hallmarks.  If you have any images you would like to offer for this project, they would be gratefully accepted at hriproject@gmail.com.  You will be acknowledged for your image contribution(s).  

 

india Hallmarking Update - INDIA

 

India's markWhile India has taken on the arduous task of implementing nationwide Government testing of consumer products, the compulsory hallmarking of precious metals has remained outside of the mandate due to pressure from the jewelry industry.  In a move to finally close the gap on this loophole, the Indian Government ruled last week to have hallmarking imposed for application to on all articles of precious metal. This  final step will help to create uniform standards for precious metal jewelry articles  made in India. This long awaited step will allow for India's jewelry items to trade globally with confidence.    

 

lectures LECTURE NOTES
HRI Lecture Series

Look for speakers William Whetstone and Danusia Niklewicz  with Lindy Matula, to be conducting a hallmark lecture and hands on workshop at the American Gem Society (AGS) Conclave in San Francisco, April 2011.

 

In May, the entire Hallmark Research Institute team will be presenting a Poster Session at the Gemological Institute of America's 2011 Symposium held at their world headquarters located in Carlsbad, California. The Poster Session will be titled "HALLMARKING: A POWERFUL BENEFIT TO THE CONSUMER, RETAILER, AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE."  Everyone attending this years Symposium is invited to stop by and visit.

 


We hope you have enjoyed this edition of the Hallmark Research Institutes's Hallmarking Newsletter. We would love to here your feedback at hriproject@gmail.com. Feel free to forward this on to others if you would like or direct them to our website to sign up to receive these newsletter directly.

 

Sincerely,
 
HALLMARK RESEARCH INSTITUTE
 
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