Hallmarking figures climb in February

The total number of articles hallmarked across all four of the UK’s assay offices saw a 7.9% increase in February, compared with the same month last year. 

According to the data (compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office), there was a total of 55,419 more articles hallmarked in February this year when compared to February 2014.

9ct gold remained flat for the second month in a row. 22ct gold was the only metal to fall during the month with 999 fewer articles hallmarked – a fall of 2.8%.

Experiencing a huge increase in hallmarking was 14ct gold, with an increase of 50.5%, while 18ct gold saw an increase of 34.6%. In total gold reported a 14.3% increase in articles hallmarked, representing an additional 46,606 articles on the same time last year.

Silver was up with a total of 5,525 more articles hallmarked across all categories in February, an increase of 1.6%.

Platinum saw a rise of 6% with 1,156 more articles hallmarked, while palladium increased on a positive January with an increase of 2,132 (31.1%) more articles hallmarked compared with February 2014.