independent retailer of the year
Choose from our designs in platinum, white, yellow or rose gold.
White gold is 75% yellow gold mixed with 25% of other metals, such as silver and zinc, to give it the distinctive colour. It’s usually plated with rhodium, to give a whiter finish; this can wear off but can be reapplied, if you’d like to have it looking like new again. Unplated white gold has a pinkish brownish hue, and some people find this gives a warmer look. Nicholas James offers you the choice between both types.
Platinum is a denser, heavier, purer and stronger metal; it is also much rarer than
gold. We use ‘950’ platinum, which is 95% pure, also making it hypoallergenic. The pure white colour never changes and the strength of the metal allows us to be more creative with our designs. It is the ‘hero’ of precious metals and more expensive than white gold for these reasons.
We have recently added Palladium to our range of men’s wedding bands. Palladium is from the platinum family and like its counterpart is bright white in colour and 95% pure. It is not as rare as platinum so is priced less than 18ct gold. This can be beneficial with large, wide and heavy rings.
the hallmark
The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths is one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London and received its first royal charter in 1327.
Founded to regulate the craft or trade of the goldsmith, the Goldsmiths’ Company has been responsible since 1300 for testing the quality of gold, silver, platinum and from 2010, palladium articles. The word hallmark originates from the fifteenth century when London craftsmen were first required to bring their artefacts to Goldsmiths’ Hall for assaying and marking. This requirement continues unchanged today and the Company still carries out its statutory function through the operations of the Assay Office
in London.
Precious metals are rarely used in their purest form but are usually alloyed with other metals. It isn’t possible to detect an article’s precious metal content by sight or touch, therefore, it is a legal requirement to hallmark articles containing precious metals if they are described as such.
These are the hallmarks you will see on all Nicholas James jewellery:
18ct gold
platinum
palladium
The sponsor’s mark: This indicates the maker of the article and is represented by at
least two letters within a shield. No two makers stamps are the same.
The traditional symbol: This represents the metal. The crown for gold, the orb for platinum and the Greek Goddess of War, Pallas Athene, for palladium.
The fineness mark: Indicates the precious metal content of the article represented by parts per thousand. The shape of the surround also indicates the metal type.
The assay office mark: This shows where the piece has been hallmarked; the Leopard is for London.
The date letter: Indicates the year it was stamped. The letter changes on January 1st each year.
