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Services for Consumers

We have been protecting consumers for over 500 years.

Precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, and palladium) are rarely used in their purest form, but are alloyed with lesser metals in order to achieve the desired strength, durability and colour. As a result, it is not possible to determine the precious metal content of an item by sight or touch. For this reason, it is a legal requirement to hallmark all items made of precious metals (with certain exceptions).

If you are buying jewellery in store or online, always ask to see the hallmark – it’s your guarantee.

The Assay Office exists primarily to protect consumers. If you have concerns about an item you’ve purchased or would like to find out more about hallmarking requirements, please view our FAQs.

Services for Consumers

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Assay Assured

As one of the worlds oldest consumer protection organisations, we have earned the respect and trust of consumers and jewellery businesses alike. Building and maintaining trust across the emerging digital retail environment is a challenge. That’s why in 2012 we launched Assay Assured, the worlds first and only online trust scheme for jewellery…

Ethical production

Ethical sourcing and provenance of precious metals are of increasing interest to makers and consumers. We are licensed to apply FairTrade and Fairmined marks for makers who have registered with these accreditation schemes. FairTrade/FairMined marks cost an additional 20p to…

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0131 556 1144
 

Virtual Assay Office
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0131 556 1144

enquiries@edinburghassayoffice.co.uk

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