Detailed requirements for marking of precious metals

Gold

To carry a quality mark, gold items must have a minimum quality of 9K and a maximum quality of 24K. They must also fall within the following tolerances:

• No solder used (gold between 9K and 24K): 3 parts per 1,000 parts by weight.
• Solder used (gold between 9K and 24K): 7 parts per 1,000 parts by weight.
• Solder used (white gold 18K or more): 15 parts per 1,000 parts by weight.

Gold may be marked using any of the following quality indicators: karat (or Karat, Kt., K) or carat (or Carat, Ct., C). Alternatively, a decimal may be used: .375 (9K), .416 (10K), .538 (14K), .750 (18K), .916 (22K).

Silver

To carry a quality mark, silver items must have a minimum quality of .925. This means they must contain at least 925 parts of pure silver in 1,000 parts by weight. In addition, the silver must fall within the following tolerances:

• No solder used: 2 parts per 1,000 parts by weight.
• Solder used: 6 parts per 1,000 parts by weight.

Silver may be marked using any of the following quality indicators: sterling (or STG, ster.), silver, sterling silver, argent, argent sterling, .925.

Platinum

To carry a platinum quality mark, the metallic content of the item must be one of the following:

• at least 95% platinum or
• an alloy of platinum that is at least 95% percent platinum and iridium or ruthenium.

There are no legal tolerances for platinum.

Platinum may be marked as platinum (or plat.) or platine.

Palladium

To carry a quality mark, the metallic content of the item must be at least 95% palladium or an alloy of at least 90% palladium plus 5% platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, or gold. There are no legal tolerances for palladium.

The acceptable quality mark is palladium (or pall.).

The following are the minimum requirements for indicating the quality of gold-plated items. These requirements vary depending on whether the item is gold-filled, rolled-gold plate, gold plate, or vermeil.

Gold-filled

These are items covered with a layer of gold that has been affixed (by brazing, soldering, or sweating) onto an inferior base metal. To qualify as gold-filled, the layer of gold must be at least 10K and the weight of the gold must comprise at least 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire item.

Tolerances: The weight of the gold must be at least 90% of the total required weight. However, if the item has been engraved, brocaded, or is diamond-faceted, the gold must weigh at least 80% of the total required weight.

If a karat designation is used with the quality mark, it must be preceded by a fraction indicating the weight of the gold in relation to the total weight of the item. Both the quality mark and the fraction must have the same prominence and use the same font size.

A gold-filled item can be marked as gold filled (or G.F.) or doublé d’or.

For example, 1/20 10K G.F. indicates this is a gold-filled item, that the gold is 10K and has been applied using a mechanical process, and that the gold comprises 1/20th of the entire weight of the item.

Rolled-gold plate

These are items covered with a layer of gold that has been affixed (by brazing, soldering, or sweating) onto an inferior base metal. Items covered with a layer of gold that is at least 10K but that comprises less than 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire item can be classified as rolled-gold plate. There are no legal tolerances regarding the weight of the gold for such items.

If a karat designation is used with the quality mark, it must be preceded by a fraction indicating the weight of the gold in relation to the total weight of the item. Both the quality mark and the fraction must have the same prominence and use the same font size.

An item plated with rolled gold can be marked as rolled gold plate (or R.G.P.) or plaqué d’or laminé.

For example, 1/30 10K R.G.P. indicates the item is plated with rolled gold, that the gold is 10K and has been applied using a mechanical process, and that the gold comprises 1/30th of the entire weight of the item.

Gold-plated

These are items composed of any substance that has been covered with a layer (or plating) of gold affixed using a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process or a combination of these processes. To qualify as gold-plated, the layer of gold must be at least 10K. There are no legal tolerances regarding the weight of the gold in gold-plated items.

Note: The thickness of the gold plate may be marked if the thickness is at least 1 micrometre (1 micron). The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers and must be immediately followed by the word “micron” (or µ symbol) or “micrometre” (or µm).

Gold-plated items can be marked as gold plated, or plaqué, gold electroplate (or G.E.P.), or electro-plaqué d’or.

Vermeil

Vermeil is the term for items made of silver and plated with gold. To qualify for a vermeil quality mark, the quality of the silver must be at least .925 and the gold plating must be at least 10K. There are no legal tolerances regarding the weight of the silver in vermeil items.

Note: The thickness of the gold plate may be marked if the thickness is at least 1 micrometre. The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers and must be immediately followed by the word “micron” (or µ symbol) or “micrometre” (or µm).

Vermeil items can be marked as either vermeil or vermil.

The following are the minimum requirements for indicating the quality of silver-plated items. These requirements vary depending on how the silver is affixed to the base metal.

Silver-filled

These are items covered with a layer of silver that has been affixed (by brazing, soldering or sweating) onto an inferior base metal.

To qualify for a silver-filled quality mark, the silver quality must be at least .925 and the weight of the silver must comprise at least 1/10th of the gross weight of the entire item.

Tolerances: The weight of the silver must be at least 90% of the total required weight (that is, at least 1/10th of the gross weight of the item). However, if the item has been engraved, brocaded, or is diamond-faceted, the silver must weigh at least 80% of the total required weight.

Silver-filled items can be marked as silver filled (or S.F.) or doublé d’argent.

Silver-plated

These are items composed of any substance that has been covered with a layer (or plating) of silver affixed using a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process or a combination of these processes. To qualify as silver-plated, the layer of silver must be at least .925.

Note: The thickness of the silver plate may be marked if the thickness is at least 1 micrometre. The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers and must be immediately followed by the word “micron” (or µ symbol) or “micrometre” (or µm).

There are no legal tolerances regarding the weight of the silver in silver-plated items.

Silver-plated items can be marked as follows: silver plated, silver plate, plaqué d’argent, silver electroplate, electro-plaqué d’argent, or any abbreviation for any of the foregoing.

Quality marks for plated watch cases are based on the thickness of the precious metal.

The following are the minimum requirements for indicating the quality of a plated pocket-watch case. These requirements vary depending on whether the item is gold-filled, rolled-gold plate, gold plate, silver-filled, or silver plate.

Note: The trademark must be applied to the case itself.

Gold-filled

A gold-filled watch case is one that is composed of an inferior base metal onto which a covering or sheeting of gold has been fixed by brazing, soldering, or sweating.

All of the following are required to qualify as gold-filled:

• The layer of gold on the watch case must be at least 10K.
• A thickness of at least 75 micrometres (3/1000th inch) of gold must be applied to the following surfaces: outer surface of the hunting case, if any (that is, a case with a spring-hinged circular metal cover), back, centre, open-face bezel (if any), pendant, crown, and bow.
• A thickness of at least 25 micrometres (1/1000th inch) of gold must be applied to the outer surface of the caps and hunting bezel.

There are no legal tolerances for gold-filled pocket-watch cases.

A gold-filled watch case can be marked as gold filled (or G.F.) or doublé d’or.

These quality marks must be accompanied by a factual karat designation. All of the numerals and letters used in the quality mark and karat designation must be of the same size and prominence. For example, a quality mark of 10K G.F. indicates this is a gold-filled pocket-watch case and that the gold layer is 10K and has been applied using a mechanical process.

Rolled-gold plate

A rolled-gold plated watch case is one that is composed of an inferior base metal onto which a covering or sheeting of gold has been fixed by brazing, soldering, or sweating.

All of the following are required to qualify as rolled-gold plate:

• The layer of gold on the watch case must be at least 10K.
• A thickness of at least 35 micrometres (1.5/1000th inch) of gold must be applied to the following surfaces: outer surface of the hunting case, if any (that is, a case with a spring-hinged circular metal cover), back, centre, open-face bezel (if any), pendant, crown, and bow.
• A thickness of at least 25 micrometres (1/1000th inch) of gold must be applied to the outer surface of the caps and hunting bezel.

No legal tolerances are provided for the gold if it comprises less than 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire watch case.

A watch case made with rolled-gold plate can be marked as rolled gold plate (or R.G.P.) or plaqué d’or laminé.

These quality marks must be accompanied by a factual karat designation. All of the numerals and letters used in the quality mark and karat designation must be of the same size and prominence. For example, a quality mark of 10K ROLLED GOLD PLATE indicates this is a rolled gold-plated pocket-watch case and that the gold layer is 10K and has been applied using a mechanical process.

Gold-plated

A gold-plated watch case is one that is composed of any substance that has been covered with a layer (or plating) of gold affixed using a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process or a combination of these processes.

All of the following are required to qualify as gold-plated:

• The layer of gold on the watch case must be at least 10K.
• A thickness of at least 5 micrometres of gold must be applied to the outer surface of the case.

There are no legal tolerances for the gold for gold-plated watch cases.

Note: The thickness of the gold plate may be marked if the thickness is at least 5 micrometres. The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers and must be immediately followed by the word “micron” (or µ symbol) or “micrometre” (or µm).

Gold-plated watch cases can be marked as gold plated, or plaqué, gold electroplate (or G.E.P.), or electro-plaqué d’or in conjunction with the quality mark.

Silver-filled

A silver-filled watch case is one that is composed of an inferior base metal onto which a covering or sheeting of gold has been fixed by brazing, soldering, or sweating.

All of the following are required to qualify as a silver-filled watch case:

• The silver quality must be at least .925.
• A thickness of at least 75 micrometres (3/1000th inch) of silver must be applied to the outer surface (front, back, centre) of the hunting case (case with a spring-hinged circular metal cover) or open-face bezel, and the pendant, crown, and bow.
• A thickness of at least 25 micrometres (1/1000th inch) of silver must be applied to the outer surface of the caps and hunting bezel.
• Required weight: The weight of the silver must comprise at least 1/10th of the gross weight of the entire watch case.

There are no legal tolerances for silver-filled pocket-watch cases.

A silver-filled watch case can be marked as silver filled (or S.F.) or doublé d’argent.

Silver-plated

The quality of silver used for a silver-plated watch case must be at least .925 and at least 5 micrometres thick. There are no legal tolerances for silver-plated items.

Note: The thickness of the silver plate may be marked if the thickness is at least 5 micrometres. The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers and must be immediately followed by the word “micron” (or µ symbol) or “micrometre” (or µm).

A silver-plated watch case may be marked as silver plated, plaqué d’argent, silver electroplate (or S.P.), electro-plaqué d’argent or any abbreviation of any of these.

The marking requirements for plated bracelet watches are identical to those for pocket-watch cases, except that an additional mark may be added to a part that is not the same quality as the rest of the base. For example, Base Metal Back might indicate that the back of the bracelet watch is not of the same quality as the face of the watch. This marking may be applied to either the inner or outer surface of the case back.

The trademark must be applied to the case itself; having the trademark or manufacturer name on the dial of the watch is not sufficient to meet the requirement for a trademark.

Use the quality designation that applies to the type of metal used (for example, gold-filled, rolled-gold plate, gold plate, silver-filled, silver plate.)

The following are the minimum requirements for indicating the quality of gold-filled, rolled-gold plated, and gold-plated eyeglass (spectacle) frames.

Gold-filled

These are eyeglass frames covered with a layer of gold that has been affixed (by brazing, soldering, or sweating) onto an inferior base metal. To qualify as gold-filled, the layer of gold must be at least 10K and the weight of the gold must comprise at least 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire item.

Tolerances: The weight of the gold in the gold-filled item must be at least 90% of the total required weight (that is, 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire item). However, if the item has been engraved, brocaded, or is diamond-faceted, the gold must weigh at least 80% of the total required weight.

If a karat designation is used in conjunction with the above quality marks, it must be preceded by the fraction of the total weight of the eyeglass frames. All of the numerals and letters used in the quality mark and karat designation must be of the same size and prominence.

Gold-filled eyeglass frames can be marked as gold filled (or G.F.) or doublé d’or.

For example, 1/20 10K G.F. indicates these are gold-filled eyeglass frames, that the gold layer is 10K and has been applied using a mechanical process, and that the gold comprises 1/20th of the entire weight of the frame.

Rolled-gold plate

These are eyeglass frames covered with a layer of gold that has been affixed (by brazing, soldering, or sweating) onto an inferior base metal. Items covered with a layer of gold that is at least 10K but that comprises less than 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire item can be classified as rolled-gold plate. There are no legal tolerances regarding the weight of the gold for such items.

Eyeglass frames made with rolled-gold plate can be marked as rolled plate (or R.P.), rolled gold plate (or R.G.P.) or plaqué d’or laminé.

The quality mark must be accompanied by a factual karat designation. All of the numerals and letters used in the quality mark and karat designation must be of the same size and prominence.

For example, a quality mark of 1/30 10K R.G.P. indicates that the gold layer on the frames is 10K and that it has been applied using a mechanical process, and that the gold comprises 1/30th of the entire weight of the item.

Gold-plated

These are frames composed of any substance that has been covered with a layer (or plating) of gold affixed using a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process or a combination of these processes. To qualify as gold-plated, the layer of gold must be at least 10K and the thickness of the gold plate must be at least 1 micrometre (1 micron).

Note: The thickness of the gold plate may be marked if the thickness is at least 1 micrometre or more. The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers and must be immediately followed by the word “micron” (or µ symbol) or “micrometre” (or µm).It must be expressed in whole numbers in either microns or micrometres.

There are no legal tolerances regarding the weight of the gold in gold-plated items.

Gold-plated eyeglass frames can be marked as gold plated or plaqué, gold electroplate (or G.E.P.), electro-plaqué d’or, gilt,or doré.

The following are the minimum requirements for indicating the quality of plated flatware. These requirements vary depending on whether the flatware is gold-plated, silver-plated, gold-plated, or has a nickel metal base.

Gold-plated

This is flatware composed of any substance that has been covered with a layer (or plating) of gold affixed using a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process or a combination of these processes. To qualify as gold-plated, the layer of gold must be at least 10K. There are no legal tolerances regarding the weight of the gold in gold-plated flatware.

Gold-plated flatware that meets quality requirements can be marked as gold plated, or plaqué, gold electroplate (or G.E.P.), or electro-plaqué d’or.

Note: The thickness of the gold plate may be marked if the thickness is at least 1 micrometre (1 micron). The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers and must be immediately followed by the word “micron” (or µ symbol) or “micrometre” (or µm).

Silver-plated

Silver-plated flatware is composed of any substance that has been covered with a layer (or plating) of silver affixed using a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process or a combination of these processes. To qualify as silver-plated, the layer of silver must be a minimum quality of .925. There are no legal tolerances regarding the weight of the silver in silver-plated items.

Silver-plated flatware that meets quality requirements can be marked as silver plated, silver plate, plaqué d’argent, silver electroplate (or S.P.), or electro-plaqué d’argent.

Nickel-based (nickel-silver) plated flatware

This is plated flatware made of a base metal alloy containing pure nickel. To qualify for a nickel-silver quality mark, the base metal of the flatware must contain at least 10% pure nickel by weight. There are no legal tolerances regarding the weight of the nickel in this type of flatware.

Nickel-based flatware that meets quality requirements may be marked nickel-silver (or N.S.) or nickel-argent.

If plated with a precious metal, the appropriate quality mark may also be stamped.

If it contains less than 10% pure nickel by weight, the flatware must be stamped with the name of the base metal.

The minimum quality requirements depend on whether the hollowware is gold-plated, silver-plated, or Sheffield reproduction (a layered combination of silver and copper). There are also minimum composition requirements if the hollowware is “base metal nickel” nickel-silver) or Britannia metal (an alloy with a high tin content).

Every article of hollowware (other than a Sheffield reproduction item) that is a gold plated or silver plated must be stamped, branded, engraved or imprinted with the name of the base substance or with another word or words that accurately describe the base substance of the item and mount, if any. The trademark must also be applied.

Gold-plated

Gold-plated hollowware is composed of any substance that has been covered with a layer (or plating) of gold affixed by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process or a combination of these processes. To qualify as gold-plated, the layer of gold must be at least 10K. There are no legal tolerances regarding the weight of the gold.

Gold-plated hollowware that meets quality requirements can be marked as gold plated, plaqué d’argent, gold electroplate (or G.E.P.), or electro-plaqué d’or.

Note: The thickness of the gold plate may be marked if the thickness is at least 1 micrometre (1 micron) and must be expressed in microns or micrometres. The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers and must be immediately followed by the word “micron” (or µ symbol) or “micrometre” (or µm).

Silver-plated

Silver-plated hollowware is composed of any substance that has been covered with a layer (or plating) of silver affixed using a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process or a combination of these processes. To qualify as silver-plated, the layer of silver must be a minimum quality of .925. There are no legal tolerances regarding the weight of the silver in silver-plated items.

Silver-plated hollowware that meets quality requirements can be marked as silver plated, silver plate, plaqué d’argent, silver electroplate (or S.P.), or electro-plaqué d’argent.

Sheffield reproduction

This hollowware is composed of a base metal of either nickel or copper. To qualify for a Sheffield reproduction quality mark, the borders of the article must be soldered, and the border and any mounts must be composed of silver, nickel, or copper with a minimum quality of .925. There are no legal tolerances regarding the weight of the metals used.

Sheffield reproduction hollowware that meets quality requirements may be marked Sheffield reproduction or reproduction of Sheffield plate.

Nickel-based (nickel-silver) hollowware

This type of plated hollowware is made of an alloy containing pure nickel. To qualify for a nickel-silver quality mark, the base metal of the hollowware must contain 10% or more pure nickel by weight. There are no legal tolerances regarding the weight of the nickel.

Base metal nickel hollowware that meets quality requirements may be marked nickel-silver (or N.S.) or nickel-argent.

If plated with a precious metal, the appropriate quality mark may also be stamped.

If it contains less than 10% pure nickel by weight, the hollowware must be stamped with the name of the base metal.

Britannia metal

This type of hollowware is made of an alloy containing tin. To qualify for a Britannia metal quality mark, the base metal of the hollowware must contain 90% or more pure tin by weight. There are no legal tolerances regarding the weight of the tin.

Britannia metal hollowware that meets quality requirements can be marked as Britannia metal (or B.M.), metal anglais, white metal (or W.M.), or metal blanc.

If plated with a precious metal, the appropriate quality mark may also be stamped.