Precious metals marking: Glossary

Acceptable designations for Base Metal Nickel Flatware

An article which meets the quality requirement for Base Metal Nickel Flatware may be marked:

• "nickel-silver".
• "nickel-argent".
• "N.S.".

Acceptable designations for Base Metal Nickel Hollow Ware

A hollow ware article which meets the composition requirement for Base Metal Nickel may be marked:

• "nickel-silver"
• "nickel-argent"
• "N.S."

Acceptable designations for Britannia Hollow Ware

A hollow ware article which meets the composition requirement for Britannia Hollow Ware may be marked:

• "Britannia Metal"
• "Metal Anglais"
• "White Metal"
• "Metal Blanc"
• "W.M."
• "B.M."

Additional quality marks for Silver Plated Flatware

Additional quality marks may also be applied to flatware articles. These quality marks are based on two criteria, first, the amount of silver of a minimum .925 quality used as primary plating on a gross of teaspoons of the same size and design, and, second, the amount of silver in the overlay (that part of a piece of flatware to which is added extra silver at the point of greatest wear).

If the amount of silver used as primary plating is 60 grams, the flatware article may be marked:

• "A.I.".

If the amount of silver used as primary plating is 60 grams, and the amount of silver in the overlay is 65 milligrams, the flatware article may be marked:

• "A.I.X.".
• "A.I.+".
• "A.I. EXTRA".

If the amount of silver used as primary plating is 120 grams, and the amount of silver in the overlay is 100 milligrams, the flatware article may be marked:

• "A.A.+".
• "A.A.I.+".
• "A.A.I. EXTRA".

If the amount of silver used as primary plating is 180 grams, the flatware article may be marked:

• "TRIPLE PLATE".
• "TRIPLE PLACAGE".

If the amount of silver used as primary plating is 240 grams, the flatware article may be marked:

• "QUADRUPLE".
• "XXXX".

Application of marks

The word, "apply", in relation to a mark, includes any application or attachment thereof to, or any use thereof on, in connection with or in relation to:

• a precious metal article;
• anything attached to a precious metal article;
• anything to which a precious metal article is attached;
• anything in or on which a precious metal article is, or
• anything so used or placed as to lead to a reasonable belief that the mark thereon is meant to be taken as a mark on a precious metal article article.

The word, "mark", is defined as any mark, sign, device, imprint, stamp, brand, label, ticket, letter, word or figure.

Dealer responsibility

A "dealer" means a person who is a manufacturer or an importer of any article to which this Act applies and any person who traffics by wholesale or retail any such article and includes any director, manager, officer or agent of that person.

As a dealer, your responsibility is to ensure that:

• any representation as to the quality of the article is factual;
• when an article is quality marked, a registered Canadian trade mark is also applied, that trade mark must be registered or have been applied for registration, The dealer should be able to prove that fact if and when requested by an inspector;
• any quality mark applied to an article is as provided for in legislation; and
• where applicable, all mandatory marks are applied.

Exceptions to the Canadian trademark requirement

An article which has a quality mark does not require a Canadian trademark if:

• the article is hallmarked in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom; or
• the article was quality marked in a foreign country under the laws of that country, and is accompanied with a government mark of that country which is recognized by the Department of Industry Canada.

Method of marking

A quality mark may be applied to a precious metal article by any method.

Where a quality mark is stamped, branded, engraved or imprinted on a precious metal article, any trademark on the article must be applied by the same method.

Minimum quality for Base Metal Nickel Flatware

A Base Metal Nickel Flatware Article is a flatware article whose base metal is an alloy containing pure nickel.

In order to qualify for a Base Metal Nickel quality mark, the base metal of the flatware article must contain 10 percent or more by weight of pure nickel.

Note that if the base metal of the flatware article contains less than 10 percent pure nickel by weight, then the flatware article must be stamped with the name of the base metal in conjunction with the trademark. The appropriate precious metal quality mark may also be stamped.

Minimum quality for Base Metal Nickel Hollow Ware

A Base Metal Nickel Hollow Ware Article is an article whose base metal is an alloy containing pure nickel.

In order to qualify for a Base Metal Nickel quality mark, the base metal of the hollow ware article must contain 10 percent or more by weight of pure nickel.

Minimum quality for Britannia Hollow Ware

A Britannia Metal Hollow Ware Article is an article whose base metal is an alloy containing tin.

In order to qualify for a Britannia Metal quality mark, the base metal of the hollow ware article must contain 90 percent or more by weight of pure tin.

Minimum quality for Gold Articles (not plated)

In order to qualify for a Gold quality mark, the Gold article must have a minimum quality of 9K or higher.

Minimum quality for Gold Filled Articles

A Gold Filled Article is an article composed of an inferior base metal to the surface of which a covering or sheeting of gold is fixed by brazing, soldering, or sweating. In order to qualify for a Gold Filled quality mark:

• the layer of gold must be of minimum 10K quality; and
• this quality of gold must comprise at least 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire article.

Note: If the amount of 10K gold is less than 1/20 of the gross weight of the entire article, then the article may be classified as rolled gold plate.

Minimum quality for Gold Filled Pocket Watch Cases

A Gold Filled Article is an article composed of an inferior base metal to the surface of which a covering or sheeting of gold is fixed by brazing, soldering, or sweating. In order to qualify for a Gold Filled quality mark, a pocket watch must have:

• a minimum thickness of 75 micrometres (3/1000 inch) of at least 10K gold which must be applied to the outer surface of the hunting case front, back, centre, open-face bezel, pendant, crown and bow; and
• a minimum thickness of 25 micrometres (1/1000 inch) of at least 10K gold which must be applied to the outer surface of the caps and hunting bezel.

Minimum quality for Gold Filled Spectacle Frames

A Gold Filled Spectacle Frame is an article composed of an inferior base metal to the surface of which a covering or sheeting of gold is fixed by brazing, soldering, or sweating. In order to qualify for a Gold Filled quality mark:

• the layer of gold must be of minimum 10K quality; and
• this quality of gold must comprise at least 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire article.

Note: If the amount of 10K gold is less than 1/20 of the gross weight of the entire article, then the article may be classified as rolled gold plate.

Minimum quality for Gold Plated Articles

A Gold Plated Article is an article composed of any substance on the surface of which a layer or plating of gold is deposited or plated by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process or by means of a combination of any of these processes.

In order to qualify for a Gold Plated quality mark, the article must have applied to it, gold plating of minimum 10K quality.

Minimum quality for Gold Plated Flatware

A Gold Plated Flatware Article is a flatware article composed of any substance on the surface of which a layer or plating of gold is deposited or plated by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process or by means of a combination of any of these processes.

In order to qualify for a Gold Plate quality mark, the article must have applied to it, gold plating of minimum 10K quality.

Minimum quality for Gold Plated Hollow Ware

A Gold Plated Hollow Ware Article is an article composed of any substance on the surface of which a layer or plating of gold is deposited or plated by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process or by means of a combination of any of these processes.

In order to qualify for a Gold Plate quality mark, the article must have applied to it, gold plating of minimum 10K quality.

Minimum quality for Gold Plated Pocket Watch Cases

A Gold Plated Article is an article composed of any substance on the surface of which a layer or plating of gold is deposited or plated by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical or metallurgical process or by means of a combination of any of these processes.

In order to qualify for a Gold Plate quality mark, the article must have applied to it, gold plating of minimum 10K quality to a thickness of at least 5 micrometres.

Minimum quality requirement for Gold Plated Spectacle Frames

A Gold Plated Spectacle Frame is an article composed of any substance on the surface of which a layer or plating of gold is deposited or plated by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process or by means of a combination of any of these processes.

In order to qualify for a Gold Plated quality mark, the article must have applied to it, gold plating of minimum 10K quality to a thickness of at least 1 micrometre.

Minimum quality for Palladium Articles (not plated)

In order to qualify for a Palladium quality mark, the Palladium article must contain at least 95 percent palladium.

Alternatively, the article must contain an alloy composed of at least 90 percent palladium only when accompanied with an additional 5 percent of any combination of the following prescribed metals: platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, or gold.

Minimum quality for Platinum Articles (not plated)

In order to qualify for a Platinum quality mark, the Platinum article must contain at least 95 percent platinum.

Alternatively, the article must contain at least a 95 percent alloy of platinum and iridium, or of platinum and ruthenium.

Minimum quality for Rolled Gold Plate Articles

A Rolled Gold Plate Article is an article composed of an inferior base metal to the surface of which a covering or sheeting of gold is fixed by brazing, soldering, or sweating. In order to qualify for a Rolled Gold Plate quality mark:

• the layer of gold must be of minimum 10K quality; and
• this quality of gold may comprise less than 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire article.

Note: If the amount of 10K gold is 1/20 or more of the gross weight, then the article may be classified as gold filled.

Minimum quality for Rolled Gold Plate Pocket Watch Cases

A Rolled Gold Plate Article is an article composed of an inferior base metal to the surface of which a covering or sheeting of gold is fixed by brazing, soldering, or sweating. In order to qualify for a Rolled Gold Plate quality mark, a pocket watch case must have:

• a layer of at least 35 micrometres (approximately 1.5/1000 inch) of at least 10K gold applied to the surface of the hunting case front, back, centre, open-face bezel, pendant, crown and bow; and
• a layer of at least 25 micrometres (1/1000 inch) of at least 10K gold applied on the outer surface of the caps and hunting bezel.

Minimum quality for Rolled Gold Plate Spectacle Frames

A Rolled Gold Plate Spectacle Frame is an article composed of an inferior base metal to the surface of which a covering or sheeting of gold is fixed by brazing, soldering, or sweating. In order to qualify for a Rolled Gold Plate quality mark:

• the layer of gold must be of minimum 10K quality; and
• this quality of gold may comprise less than 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire article.

Note: If the amount of 10K gold is 1/20 or more of the gross weight, then the article may be classified as gold filled.

Minimum quality for Sheffield Reproduction Plated Hollow Ware

A Sheffield Reproduction Hollow Ware Article is an article composed of a base metal of either nickel or copper.

In order to qualify for a Sheffield Reproduction quality mark, the borders of the article must be soldered, and the border plus any mounts must be composed of silver, nickel, or copper of minimum .925 quality.

Minimum quality for Silver Articles (not plated)

In order to qualify for a Silver quality mark, the Silver article must contain at least 925 parts of pure silver in 1000 parts by weight.

Minimum quality for Silver Filled Articles

A Silver Filled Article is an article composed of an inferior base metal to the surface of which a covering or sheeting of silver has been soldered or sweated. In order to qualify for a Silver Filled quality mark:

• the silver must be at least of .925 quality; and
• this quality of silver must comprise at least 1/10 of the gross weight of the entire article

Minimum quality for Silver Filled Pocket Watch Cases

A Silver Filled Article is an article composed of an inferior base metal to the surface of which a covering or sheeting of silver has been soldered or sweated. In order to qualify for a Silver Filled quality mark, a pocket watch case must have:

• a minimum thickness of 75 micrometres (3/1000 inch) of at least .925 quality silver applied to the surface of the hunting case front, back, centre, open-face bezel, pendant, crown and bow; and
• at least 25 micrometres (1/1000 inch) of at least .925 quality silver applied on the outer surface of the caps and hunting bezel.

Minimum quality for Silver Plated Articles

A Silver Plated Article is an article composed of any substance on the surface of which a layer or plating of silver is deposited or plated by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process, or by means of a combination of any of these processes.

In order to qualify for a Silver Plated quality mark, the article must have applied to it, a silver plating of a minimum .925 quality.

Minimum quality Silver Plated Flatware

A Silver Plated Flatware Article is a flatware article composed of any substance on the surface of which a layer or plating of silver is deposited or plated by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process, or by means of a combination of any of these processes.

In order to qualify for a Silver Plate quality mark, the article must have applied to it, silver plating of minimum .925 quality.

Minimum quality for Silver Plated Hollow Ware

A Silver Plated Hollow Ware Article is an article composed of any substance on the surface of which a layer or plating of silver is deposited or plated by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process, or by means of a combination of any of these processes.

In order to qualify for a Silver Plate quality mark, the article must have applied to it, silver plating of minimum .925 quality.

Minimum quality for Silver Plated Pocket Watch Cases

A Silver Plate Article is an article composed of any substance on the surface of which a layer or plating of silver is deposited or plated by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process, or by means of a combination of any of these processes.

In order to qualify for a Silver Plate quality mark, a pocket watch case must have applied to it, silver plating of minimum .925 quality to a thickness of at least 5 micrometres.

Minimum quality for Vermeil Articles

A Vermeil Article is an article composed of silver which has been plated with gold.

In order to qualify for a Vermeil quality mark:

• the silver in the article must beof minimum .925 quality; and
• the gold plating must be of minimum 10K quality.

Other marks

Marks other than quality marks or trademarks may be applied to precious metal articles, such as:

• numerals intended to identify the article or pattern which are not calculated to mislead or deceive;
• the name or initials of a dealer, provided it will not be confused with a quality mark; and
• any other mark not calculated to mislead or deceive.

Prescribed tolerances for Gold Plated Articles

A Gold Filled article of minimum 10K quality in which the weight of the gold comprises at least 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire article, must fall within the following prescribed tolerances for the application of a quality mark:

• The weight of the gold must be at least 90 percent of the required gold in the article; or
• If the article has been engraved, brocaded, or diamond faceted, the weight of the gold must be at least 80 percent of the required gold in the article.

A Rolled Gold Plate article of minimum 10K quality, comprising less than 1/20 of the gross weight of the entire article, has no legal tolerance provided for it.

A Gold Plated article of minimum 10K quality has no legal tolerance provided for it.

A Vermeil article of minimum .925 quality has no legal tolerance provided for it.

Prescribed tolerances for Plated Flatware Articles

These articles have no legal tolerances provided:

• A Silver Plated flatware article of minimum .925 quality.
• A Gold Plated flatware article of minimum 10K quality.
• A Base Metal Nickel flatware article containing an alloy composed of pure nickel and a base metal.

Prescribed tolerances for Plated Hollow Ware Articles

These articles have no legal tolerances provided:

• A Gold Plated hollow ware article of minimum 10K quality
• A Silver Plated hollow ware article of minimum .925 quality
• A Sheffield Reproduction hollow ware article
• A Base Metal Nickel hollow ware article
• A Britannia Metal hollow ware article

Prescribed tolerances for Precious Metal Articles

Gold of a minimum quality of 9K and a maximum quality of 24K must fall within the following prescribed tolerances for the application of a quality mark:

• The tolerance is 3 parts per 1,000 parts by weight where no solder is used.
• The tolerance is 7 parts per 1,000 parts by weight where solder is used.
• The tolerance is 15 parts per 1,000 parts by weight for 18K white gold where solder is used.

Silver of minimum .925 quality must fall within the following prescribed tolerances for the application of a quality mark:

• The tolerance is 2 parts per 1,000 parts by weight where no solder is used.
• The tolerance is 6 parts per 1,000 parts by weight where solder is used.

Platinum, or an alloy of platinum and iridium, or an alloy of platinum and ruthenium, must compose at least 95 percent of the metallic content of the article for the application of a quality mark. No legal tolerance is provided.

Palladium must compose at least 95 percent of the metallic content of the article for the application of a quality mark. No legal tolerance is provided.

An Alloy Of Palladium, whether with platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium or gold, must compose at least 90 percent of the metallic content of the article for the application of a quality mark. No legal tolerance is provided.

Prescribed tolerances for Silver Plated Articles

A Silver Filled article of minimum .925 quality in which the weight of the silver comprises at least 1/10th of the gross weight of the entire article, must fall within the following prescribed tolerances for the application of a quality mark:

• The weight of the silver must be at least 90 percent of the required silver in the article; or
• If the article has been engraved, brocaded, or diamond faceted, the weight of the silver must be at least 80 percent of the required silver in the article.

A Silver Plated article of minimum .925 quality has no legal tolerance provided for it.

Prescribed tolerances for Spectacle Frame Articles

A Gold Filled spectacle frame article of minimum 10K quality in which the weight of the gold comprises at least 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire article, must fall within the following prescribed tolerances for the application of a quality mark:

• The weight of the gold must be at least 90 percent of the required gold in the article; or
• If the article has been engraved, brocaded, or diamond faceted, the weight of the gold must be at least 80 percent of the required gold in the article.

A Rolled Gold Plate spectacle frame article of minimum 10K quality, comprising less than 1/20 of the gross weight of the entire article, has no legal tolerance provided for it.

A Gold Plated spectacle frame article of minimum 10K quality has no legal tolerance provided for it.

Prohibitions

No guarantee with respect to the durability or wearability of the precious metal plating of an article can be made.

Dealers are prohibited from selling, importing into Canada or advertising any precious metal article in a manner which is false or misleading as to the precious metal content.

Quality marks for bracelet watches

The marking provisions for plated bracelet watches are identical to pocket watch cases, with one exception. The exception is that provision is made here for the addition of the marking of any part which is not of the quality of the rest of the case. For instance, a marking of "Base Metal Back" might indicate that the back of the bracelet watch is not of the same standard as the face of the watch.

These additional markings may be applied either on the inner or outer surface of the case back.

Quality marks for Gold Articles (not plated)

An article which meets the minimum quality requirement for Gold may be marked:

• "karat".
• "carat".
• "Karat".
• "Carat".
• "Kt.".
• "Ct.".
• "K".
• "C".

Alternatively, a decimal may be used to express the quality of gold, so that:

• An article having a quality of 10K could be marked as .416.
• An article having a quality of 14K could be marked as .583.
• An article having a quality of 18K could be marked as .750.

Quality marks for Gold Filled Pocket Watch Cases

An article which meets the quality requirement for Gold Filled may be marked:

• "gold filled".
• "G.F.".
• "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 that a Gold Filled pocket watch case article has applied to it, by means of a mechanical process, a layer of 10K gold.

Quality marks for Gold Filled Spectacle Frames

A Spectacle Frame article which meets the quality requirement for Gold Filled may be marked:

• "gold filled".
• "G.F.".
• "doublé d'or".

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 article. Each numeral in the fraction must be the same size of type and prominence as the remainder of the quality mark. For example, a quality mark of "1/20 10K G.F." indicates that a Gold Filled Spectacle Frame has applied to it, by means of a mechanical process, 10K gold, and that the gold comprises 1/20 of the entire weight of the frame.

Quality marks for Gold Plated Articles

An article which meets the quality requirement for Gold Plated may be marked:

• "gold electroplate".
• "gold plated".
• "G.E.P.".
• "electro-plaqué d'or".
• "or plaqué".

The thickness of the gold plate may be marked, provided that the thickness is at least 1 micron or micrometre. The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers of microns or micrometres.

Quality marks for Gold Plated Flatware

An article which meets the quality requirement for Gold Plate may be marked:

• "gold electroplate".
• "gold plated".
• "G.E.P.".
• "electroplaqué d'or".
• "or plaqué".

The thickness of the gold plating may be indicated in micrometres (µm) so long as such thickness is 1 or more micrometres. The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers only.

Quality marks for Gold Plated Hollow Ware

An article which meets the quality requirement for Gold Plate may be marked:

• "gold electroplate"
• "electroplaqué d'or"
• "gold plated"
• "or plaqué"
• "G.E.P."

The thickness of the gold plating may be indicated in micrometres (µm) so long as such thickness is 1 or more micrometres. The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers only.

Note that the name of the base substance to which the gold plate is applied must be stamped, branded, engraved, or imprinted on the article in a legible and conspicuous manner. Where 10 percent or more by weight of the base metal in an article of hollow ware is pure nickel, such base metal may be identified with the following expressions:

• "nickel-silver"
• "nickel-argent"
• "N.S."

Where 90 percent or more by weight of the base metal in an article of hollow ware is tin, such base metal may be identified with the following expressions:

• "britannia metal"
• "métal anglais"
• "white metal"
• "métal blanc"
• "B.M."
• "W.M."

Quality marks for Gold Plated Pocket Watch Cases

An article which meets the quality requirement for Gold Plate may be marked:

• "gold electroplate".
• "gold plated".
• "G.E.P.".
• "electro-plaqué d'or".
• "or plaqué".

Quality marks for Gold Plated Spectacle Frames

A Spectacle Frame article which meets the quality requirement for Gold Plate may be marked:

• "gilt".
• "gold plated".
• "G.E.P.".
• "or plaqué".
• "doreé".

The thickness of the gold plate may be marked, provided that the thickness is at least 1 micron or micrometre. The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers of microns or micrometres.

Quality markings for Rolled Gold Plate Pocket Watch Cases

An article which meets the quality requirement for Rolled Gold Plate may be marked:

• "rolled gold plate".
• "R.G.P.".
• "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 that a Rolled Gold Plated pocket watch case article has applied to it, by means of a mechanical process, a layer of 10K gold.

Quality marks for Rolled Gold Plate Spectacle Frames

A Spectacle Frame article which meets the quality requirement for Rolled Gold Plate may be marked:

• "rolled plate".
• "R.P.".
• "rolled gold plate".
• "R.G.P.".
• "placage laminé".
• "placage d'or laminé".

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 article. Each numeral in the fraction must be the same size of type and prominence as the remainder of the quality mark. For example, a quality mark of "1/30 10K R.G.P." indicates that a Rolled Gold Plate Spectacle Frame has applied to it, by means of a mechanical process, 10K gold, and that the gold comprises 1/30 of the entire weight of the frame.

Quality marks for Palladium Articles (not plated)

An article which meets the minimum quality requirement for Palladium may be marked:

• "palladium".
• "pall.".

Quality marks for Platinum Articles (not plated)

An article which meets the minimum quality requirement for Platinum may be marked:

• "platinum".
• "plat.".
• "platine".

Quality marks for Sheffield Reproduction Plated Hollow Ware

A hollow ware article which meets the quality requirement for Sheffield Reproduction may be marked:

• "Sheffield Reproduction"
• "reproduction of Sheffield plate"

Quality marks for Silver Articles (not plated)

An article which meets the minimum quality requirement for Silver may be marked:

• "silver".
• "sterling silver".
• "sterling".
• "argent".
• "argent sterling".
• ".925" (This indicates the decimal fraction of pure silver in the article.).

Alternatively, an abbreviation for these words may be used:

• "ster.".
• "STG".

Quality markings for Silver Filled Pocket Watch Cases

An article which meets the quality requirement for Silver Filled may be marked:

• "silver filled".
• "S.F.".
• "doublé d'argent".

Quality marks for Silver Plated Articles

An article which meets the quality requirement for Silver Plated may be marked:

• "silver electroplate".
• "silver plate".
• "silver plated".
• "electro-plaqué d'argent".
• "plaqué d'argent".
• "S.P.".

Quality marks for Silver Plated Flatware

An article which meets the quality requirement for Silver Plate may be marked:

• "silverplate".
• "placage d'argent".
• "silverplated".
• "plaqué d'argent".
• "silverware".
• "argenterie".
• "S.P.".
• "E.P.".

Quality marks for Silver Plated Hollow Ware

An article which meets the quality requirement for Silver Plate may be marked:

• "silverplate"
• "placage d'argent"
• "silverplated"
• "plaqué d'argent"
• "silverware"
• "argenterie"
• "S.P."
• "E.P."

The thickness of the silver plating may be indicated in micrometres (µm) so long as such thickness is 1 or more micrometres. The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers only.

Note that the name of the base substance to which the silver plate is applied must be stamped, branded, engraved, or imprinted on the article in a legible and conspicuous manner. Where 10 percent or more by weight of the base metal in an article of hollow ware is pure nickel, such base metal may be identified by the following expressions:

• "nickel-silver"
• "nickel-argent"
• "N.S."

Where 90 percent or more by weight of the base metal in an article of hollow ware is tin, such base metal may be identified with the following expressions:

• "britannia metal"
• "métal anglais"
• "white metal"
• "métal blanc"
• "B.M."
• "W.M."

Quality markings for Silver Plated Pocket Watch Cases

An article which meets the quality requirement for Silver Plate may be marked:

• "silver electroplate".
• "silver plated".
• "electro-plaqué d'argent".

Alternatively, an abbreviation of any of the preceding quality marks is allowable.

Quality marks for Rolled Gold Plate Articles

An article which meets the quality requirement for Rolled Gold Plate may be marked:

• "rolled gold plate".
• "R.G.P.".
• "plaqué d'or laminé".

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 article. Each numeral in the fraction must be the same size of type and prominence as the remainder of the quality mark. For example, a quality mark of "1/30 10K R.G.P." indicates that a Rolled Gold Plate article has applied to it, by means of a mechanical process, 10K gold, and that the gold comprises 1/30 of the entire weight of the article.

Quality marks for Silver Filled Articles

An article which meets the quality requirement for Silver Filled may be marked:

• "silver filled".
• "S.F.".
• "doublé d'argent".

Quality marks for Vermeil Articles

An article which meets the quality requirement for Vermeil may be marked:

• "vermeil".
• "vermil".

Tolerances for Gold Filled or Silver Filled Articles

These articles have no legal tolerances provided:

• A Gold Filled pocket watch case article of minimum 10K quality.
• A Rolled Gold Plate pocket watch case article of minimum 10K quality.
• A Gold Plate pocket watch case article of minimum 10K quality.
• A Silver Plate pocket watch article of minimum .925 quality.
• A Silver Filled pocket watch article of minimum .925 quality.

Trademarks

With two exceptions, where a quality mark is applied to a precious metal article, the article must also bear a Canadian trademark which either is:

• currently registered with the Registrar of Trademarks in Canada; or
• in the process of being registered, with proof that a trademark application has been submitted which is acceptable to a minister.

For more information, including the publication, "A Guide To Trademarks", as well as an application form for a trademark, all correspondence should be addressed to:

Trademarks on the case proper

The trademark must be applied to the case proper. Marking a name on the dial of the watch is not considered to cover the requirement for application of a trademark on the case.

Trademarks on watch cases

The trademark must be applied to the case proper. The name on the dial of the watch is not considered to cover the requirement to apply the trademark on the case.