Platinum and palladium bucked a national trend that is seeing fewer items hallmarked.

Total hallmarking in the UK fell by almost a quarter (23.9 per cent) in July from a year ago, according to data from the UK's four Assay Offices.

Despite this drop, platinum hallmarking was unchanged while the number of palladium items hallmarked increased, reports Professional Jeweller.

Platinum of 950 parts, the most common form of the metal, recorded a 0.6 per cent year-on-year decrease, while 999 parts platinum fell by 50 per cent and 850 parts platinum dropped by a third.

But this was offset by a 75 per cent jump in the hallmarking of 900 parts platinum.

Overall palladium hallmarking actually rose five per cent year-on-year, led by a doubling of items of 500 parts.

Hallmarking of palladium of 950 parts was down 6.1 per cent, while items of 999 parts halved.

Meanwhile, gold hallmarking registered a decline of 13.6 per cent, with the only positive figures coming from items of 22 carats, which were up 7.6 per cent.

Silver hallmarking was hit even worse, falling by nearly a third (31 per cent) on last year.

It comes shortly after the government announced that the future of hallmarking in the UK is assured, following industry concerns that it would be scrapped as part of the Red Tape Challenge.

Source:

UK hallmarking continues downwards trend in July (03/08/11)

© Adfero Ltd