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The total number of articles hallmarked fell across all categories except platinum in March, according to figures compiled from all four UK assay offices, however 18ct gold stole a march for the Q1 period, taking up some of the slack.
After a strong February – hallmarking figures were 7.9% up on the previous year – the fall means that the number of items hallmarked in Q1 of 2015 was slightly down compared with last year, by 1.4%.
The figures confirm a continuing decline in the number of silver hallmarks struck, down by 71,852 (6.4%) in the first quarter of 2015 against last year.
However, gold hallmarking increased during the first quarter of 2015, with 18ct showing particularly strong growth of 12.%. Gold increased by 3.1% overall. Platinum also performed well with 5,200 articles hallmarked in the first quarter of 2015, up 8.8%.
Despite the minor drop in overall volumes for the period, it is important to note that the losses have been mainly in silver volumes. The more valuable gold and platinum figures are on a broad upward trend, so while numerical volumes may be lower, the overall value of goods sold is likely still climbing.
