Menu
15/02/2017
Trading Standards Issues Warning Over Fake Jewellery
Following the seizure of a large quantity of un-hallmarked jewellery, the Northern Ireland Trading Standards Service (TSS) has urged consumers to check the validity of hallmarks when buying jewellery.
TSS recently seized a haul of jewellery including necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings which did not bear a valid hallmark certifying the gold or sterling silver's purity. Some of the seized jewellery had foreign markings indicating the quality of the metal, but were not hallmarked as legally required in Europe.
The seized items of jewellery is to be analysed by an Assay Office to discover if they really are the described precious metals.
The TSS said that traders who supply or offer to supply unhallmarked articles described as gold, platinum, palladium or silver may be guilty of committing a criminal offence.
As it is not possible to detect by sight or touch the gold, silver, platinum or palladium content of an item, hallmarking is therefore a legal requirement under the Hallmarking Act 1973. Consumers can rely upon hallmarks as an assurance of the quality of precious metals.
When purchasing jewellery consumers should be aware of the following:
• In a retail outlet look out for the hallmarking notice, this is the British Hallmarking Council's notice for jewellers and silversmiths. This sign, detailing UK hallmarking requirements, must be displayed by law.
• If an article is described as gold, silver, platinum or palladium, always ask if the jewellery is hallmarked; this is your guarantee.
A hallmark is made up of three compulsory symbols. These symbols can be viewed on The Assay Office website.
• The hallmarking symbols are not always visible to the naked eye. Don't be afraid to ask for an eye glass to ensure the compulsory symbols are present.
Bear in mind that silver articles weighing less than 7.78grams, gold and palladium articles weighing less than 1 gram and platinum articles weighing less than 0.5 grams are exempt from hallmarking requirements.
• If an article of precious metal is not hallmarked it may be fake. A suspiciously low price may be an indicator of fake jewellery. If it is too good to be true, it often is.
This recent seizure of jewellery is an example of how TSS acts to protect local people and the interests of legitimate business.
(MH)
TSS recently seized a haul of jewellery including necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings which did not bear a valid hallmark certifying the gold or sterling silver's purity. Some of the seized jewellery had foreign markings indicating the quality of the metal, but were not hallmarked as legally required in Europe.
The seized items of jewellery is to be analysed by an Assay Office to discover if they really are the described precious metals.
The TSS said that traders who supply or offer to supply unhallmarked articles described as gold, platinum, palladium or silver may be guilty of committing a criminal offence.
As it is not possible to detect by sight or touch the gold, silver, platinum or palladium content of an item, hallmarking is therefore a legal requirement under the Hallmarking Act 1973. Consumers can rely upon hallmarks as an assurance of the quality of precious metals.
When purchasing jewellery consumers should be aware of the following:
• In a retail outlet look out for the hallmarking notice, this is the British Hallmarking Council's notice for jewellers and silversmiths. This sign, detailing UK hallmarking requirements, must be displayed by law.
• If an article is described as gold, silver, platinum or palladium, always ask if the jewellery is hallmarked; this is your guarantee.
A hallmark is made up of three compulsory symbols. These symbols can be viewed on The Assay Office website.
• The hallmarking symbols are not always visible to the naked eye. Don't be afraid to ask for an eye glass to ensure the compulsory symbols are present.
Bear in mind that silver articles weighing less than 7.78grams, gold and palladium articles weighing less than 1 gram and platinum articles weighing less than 0.5 grams are exempt from hallmarking requirements.
• If an article of precious metal is not hallmarked it may be fake. A suspiciously low price may be an indicator of fake jewellery. If it is too good to be true, it often is.
This recent seizure of jewellery is an example of how TSS acts to protect local people and the interests of legitimate business.
(MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 August 2014
19 Jobs Created In Gold Exploration
19 new jobs are being created through the expansion of a Canada-based gold exploration company. Dalradian Resources Inc. is creating 19 new jobs in County Tyrone to support its gold exploration project there.
19 Jobs Created In Gold Exploration
19 new jobs are being created through the expansion of a Canada-based gold exploration company. Dalradian Resources Inc. is creating 19 new jobs in County Tyrone to support its gold exploration project there.
12 June 2017
Teenager Attacked In L'Derry
A vulnerable teenager has been attacked in Co L'Derry. The 15-year-old boy was beaten with iron bars by a gang of masked men in the Gartan Square area shortly after midnight on Saturday, 10 June. He sustained a number of broken bones. The attack had "all the hallmarks of a paramilitary-style assault", according to the police.
Teenager Attacked In L'Derry
A vulnerable teenager has been attacked in Co L'Derry. The 15-year-old boy was beaten with iron bars by a gang of masked men in the Gartan Square area shortly after midnight on Saturday, 10 June. He sustained a number of broken bones. The attack had "all the hallmarks of a paramilitary-style assault", according to the police.
23 April 2015
Attack On Police Bears 'Hallmarks Of Dissident Activity'
Police officers have said the attack on two of its officers on Tuesday evening bear the hallmarks of dissident activity. It is suspected a device was thrown at a police vehicle after officers were responding to a routine burglary call at 10:30am in Victoria Parade. The device exploded in mid-air and damaged a parked car, smashing its windscreen.
Attack On Police Bears 'Hallmarks Of Dissident Activity'
Police officers have said the attack on two of its officers on Tuesday evening bear the hallmarks of dissident activity. It is suspected a device was thrown at a police vehicle after officers were responding to a routine burglary call at 10:30am in Victoria Parade. The device exploded in mid-air and damaged a parked car, smashing its windscreen.
14 February 2014
NI Link With Army Office Letter Bombs
Downing Street has said that letter bombs sent to Army offices in England have "the hallmarks of Northern Ireland-related terrorism". It is not yet clear if the devices were viable. A shopping centre in Slough also received one of the potentially explosive parcels.
NI Link With Army Office Letter Bombs
Downing Street has said that letter bombs sent to Army offices in England have "the hallmarks of Northern Ireland-related terrorism". It is not yet clear if the devices were viable. A shopping centre in Slough also received one of the potentially explosive parcels.
12 August 2002
FARC attack had hallmarks of IRA operation
Colombia's chief prosecutor has said that IRA training may have been behind a recent FARC attack where dozens of people were killed. In an interview with the BBC, Luis Camilo Osorio said that a FARC attack, which resulted in 115 deaths, was carried out with mortars similar to those used by the IRA.
FARC attack had hallmarks of IRA operation
Colombia's chief prosecutor has said that IRA training may have been behind a recent FARC attack where dozens of people were killed. In an interview with the BBC, Luis Camilo Osorio said that a FARC attack, which resulted in 115 deaths, was carried out with mortars similar to those used by the IRA.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
